He has also trained with other martial arts masters, such as Cacoy Canete and Edgar Sulite. He worked several years as a police officer before becoming an actor.
He is one of the best-known Philippine actors. He has had leading roles in different films including "The Pacific Connection" and "Arnis: The Sticks Of Death." In addition, Dantes was a bodybuilder who won the "Mr. Philippines" title five times between 1971–1980 and placed in competitions for the titles "Mr. Universe" and "Mr. World".
Grand Master Dantes died on March 16, 2009.[2] He was 68.
