We all know him as “Teri Onor” in show business and now as Board Member in the 1st district of Bataan. But little did we know that there is more that he has to offer, if we just take a closer look.
His name is Dexter Bautista Dominguez, currently residing in Brgy. Wawa, Abucay. He is the youngest among the seven children of Dante and Priscila and Dominguez.
He finished his elementary education in Tomas Pinpin Memorial Elementary School and his secondary education in Tomas del Rosario Academy, then he took up BS Computer Engineering in Adamson University Manila.
Before he made a name of his own in the world of television, he was also an ordinary person who had a series of work experiences before he found his true self. He started working as a senior membership consultant at MCGV Marketing in Pasig City. Then he became an administrative officer at Kard plus Marketing in Taft Ave., Manila. After that, he worked as a supervisor in Young Holiday Tourism Inc. then a property consultant in Subic Homes, both in Subic, Zambales. His next job was at Genlink Communications Inc. in Pasig City as a sales manager.Then, the next big thing that changed his life forever happened.
Being in a theater organization that time in 1995, as he tells the story, they were just promoting a play in The Library Sing-along Bar in Malate, Manila. He was just doing his regular job – singing and acting, until after he performed, the bar owner called him out and asked if he wanted to be a regular host there. In a blink of an eye, he answered yes with a cheerful heart. “Kasi ako I always say oo. I always believed in the saying na ‘opportunity knocks only once’. So grab the opportunity and just think later,” he added. And after that, the start of his career being a performer in bars like The Library, Klowns, Zirkoh, and Sitcom Live has begun. “Ganun ang panuntunan ko, pag may oportunidad, kahit di ko pa alam kung kaya ko ba o hindi, o-oo ako then I’ll just think and embrace kung anong trabaho ang ibibigay sakin,” he explained.
That opportunity, when it knocked and he answered willingly, just opened more doors for him to become really big. As he again did his normal job, playing the role as one of the dolls in their show called “Maria, Leonora, Teresa Po: the Po Sisters”, a co-actor playing the role of Nora Aunor backed-out thinking he wasn’t perfect for the role. So the owner decided to have Teri put make-up on and play the role of Nora Aunor and it turned out that he looks perfectly just like her. And the rest is history. It paved the way for him to work in one of GMA 7’s biggest shows, Eat Bulaga, only to find out that while working there, his mom told him that she was a “Noranian” and that while she was conceiving him, he was “pinaglihi” from Nora Aunor. What a perfect coincidence.
“At the peak of my career, sabi ko, gusto ko tumakbo. Ewan ko, siguro calling Niya,” he mentioned, and that point was the start of his political career. From 2007 to 2010, he served as the Vice Mayor of the Municipality of Abucay. Afterwards, he ran as a Board Member in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and successfully elected as such. Now he is the chairman of the Committees on Women and Family, and Social Welfare and Development.
Asking about his most significant accomplishment, he answered “mahirap kasi magsabi ng isa. Kasi yung advocacy ko dito sa panunungkulan, hindi lang para sa isa, hindi lang para sa bata at matanda. May kanya-kanyang flavor eh.” That only means that he has a lot of projects and programs and it would take a whole day to name all of them. He also shared that he does his best to reach out to senators and other people that could help him in his project proposals by offering an exchange deal, “ginagamit ko yung talent kong pagpapatawa at pagkanta, pero pag-uwi ko may pasalubong akong proyekto para saking mga kababayan,” he added.
On being successful on his job, he said “yes. At hindi ako titigl kasi meron pa akong gusting projects na ibigay not only sa 1st District but the entire Bataan. Kasi I am one proud Bataeno.”
“Whenever I see people, my constituents, na nandito sa office, paglabas nila nakangiti sila. Hindi mababayaran yun. Whether may naibigay ka o wala, pero the moment na lumabas silang nakangiti, in my own little way naibsan yung pangangailangan nila sa buhay,” this is his answer on what the most fulfilling part of his job is.
So what’s next for Teri Onor/BM Dexter Dominguez? He said that he wants to continue his political career and run as vice mayor or mayor in Abucay. If he wins, he said that it will be his last career in politics and after that he is going to retire, go back in the limelight and have a vacation. He wants to do now what he wasn’t able to do before, to rest and have a quiet time for himself.
He also mentioned that he has no other hobbies aside from going to work and going home after. “I’ll just stay home and rest. Kasi saan pupunta? Eh all my life nagawa ko na yun,” he added.
I think now that we know wherever he goes and whatever he does, making people smile and laugh will always be a part of him. Happiness stayed with him, until he found the perfect chance to let it out and share it to people.
Now that you have shared your happiness with me, it will surely stay and I will make sure everyone gets it too, like you always do.
