Award-winning actor Allen Dizon said he's thrilled to be part of the top-rating Kapuso afternoon series "Abot-Kamay Na Pangarap" which has been extended until March next year.

Allen announced after he was launched as the brand ambassador for Smart Access Philippines during a media conference held in Makati City recently.

"For now, extended kami hanggang March," the actor said.

Dennis Evangelista, talent manager of Allen, also confirmed the actor's remark. "As a manager, sinabihan na ako na hanggang March na. Pero hindi pa rin sure kasi baka ma-extended pa uli."

Allen, 46, stated that he has already become accustomed to the series' popularity. "Ang lakas ng impact kasi kahit saan ako pumunta maraming nagpapa-picture sa akin." (The impact is strong because many people take pictures of me everywhere I go.)

He added: "Nakakapagod din magpa-picture. Noong pumunta ako sa sementeryo dahil dinalaw ko yung tatay ko, lahat yata ng tao sa sementeryo pumunta sa akin. Dalawa o tatlong oras ako doon lahat nagpapa-picture. Andun ako sa Pampanga siyempre mga kababayan mo yun at kilala ka nila. Hindi puwedeng magpahinga. 

(It's also tiring to take pictures. When I went to the cemetery because I visited my father, I think everyone there came to me. I was there for two or three hours taking pictures. I was in Pampanga; they were your compatriots, and they know you. You can't rest.)

"Tapos lumipat naman ako sa puntod ng lolo ko ganun din. Marami rin. Natutuwa naman ako pero nakakapagod talaga magpa-picture. Pero hindi ka talaga puwedeng maging suplado. Smile ka lang kahit minsan masakit na yung mata ko sa flash. 

(Then I moved to my grandfather's grave as well. Many people approached me. I'm happy, but it's tiring to take pictures. But you have to avoid being a snob. Just smile even though sometimes my eyes hurt from the flash.)

"Nagulat talaga ako sa reaksyon ng tao kasi hindi nila alam na taga-Pampanga ako. Akala nil taga Manila ako kasi kinakausap ko sila ng Kapampangan," Allen said.

(I was really surprised by people's reaction because they didn't know I was from Pampanga. They thought I was from Manila because I spoke to them in Kapampangan.)

Asked what made the series a success, Allen said: "Palagay ko may magic yung director si L.A. Madridejos. Siya rin yung nagdirek ng My First Yaya. Minsan may script kami tapos ang haba ng lines, iniiba niya. Iniiba yung approach at binabaligtad niya. Iniiba niya talaga so huwag mo ng ime-morize. Babasahin mo siya at intindihin mo pero kapag rehearsals na iniiba niya. Then yung co-actors ko lahat down to earth at professional."

(I think the director L.A. Madridejos has magic. He also directed 'My First Yaya.' Sometimes we have a script and the lines are too long, so he changes it. He changes the approach and reverses it. He really changes it so you don't have to memorize it. You read it and understand, but during rehearsals, he changes things. Then my co-actors are all down to earth and professional.)

Allen mentioned that his family is very supportive of his career. He added that his wife does not get jealous even if girls surround him for photo opportunities.

"Hindi naman nagseselos sa mga girls na lumalapit. Kapag walang taping nasa bahay lang ako eh. Isang araw lang ako nasa bahay Wednesday lang. Minsan Saturday and Sunday may shooting pa na ibinibigay si Dennis. So wala na talaga akong pahinga minsan. 

(My wife is not jealous of the girls who approach me. When there's no taping, I just stay home. I'm only at home for one day, Wednesday. Sometimes Saturday and Sunday, Dennis still has a schedule for a shoot. So I don't really have a break sometimes.)

"Hindi na rin muna kami lumalabas so sa bahay na lang kami kumakain.Bumibili na lang at nagluluto na lang kami kasi kapag nasa labas ka, ang dami talaga nagpapa-picture. Naaabala ka minsan," he added.

(We don't even go out anymore, so we just eat at home. We just buy and cook because when you're out, there's a lot of people taking pictures. You get distracted sometimes.)

Allen recalled that he started taping for the series in February. These days, fans of the series now address him as Dr. Carlos Benitez, his recurring character in the blockbuster program.

"Hindi na ako tinatawag sa pangalan ko kundi Doc Carlos na ang tawag nila sa akin. Nagulat nga ako na kasama ako sa mall show kasi pang-bagets lang ang mall show," he said.

(They don't call me by my name anymore but they call me Doc Carlos. I was surprised that I was in the mall show because the mall show is only for teenagers.)

Allen has many acclaimed roles in the movies or television but he has yet to play the super bad boy. He also hopes to work with other multi-awarded actors such as Vilma Santos, Sharon Cuneta, Christopher de Leon, and Cesar Montano.

In four years' time, Allen mentioned that he plans to venture into directing.

"Gusto kong pag-aralan. Siguro pag na-reach ko na ang 50 years old puwede na ako. Now I'm 46. Siguro four more years. Gusto ko sa akin ang concept tapos ako ang magdi-direk," Allen said.

(I want to study directing. Maybe when I reach 50 years old I can. Now I'm 46. Maybe four more years. I want the concept to be mine and then I'll be the director.)

Allen expressed his numerous aspirations for his children. "Hindi na ako nangangarap para sa sarili kundi para sa mga anak ko na lang. Kapag tumatanda na siguro ganun na talaga. Gusto ko mag-aral muna sila rito pero kapag graduate nila at gusto nila mag-aral sa Australia puwede naman."

(I don't dream for myself anymore, but for my children. When you get older, maybe that's what it really is. I want them to study here first, but when they graduate and want to study in Australia, they can.)

Allen has four children: Nella Marie, 21; Felixia, 18; Lucas, 15, and Alin, 10. "Mahiyain yung boy ko puro basketball." (My son likes to play basketball a lot.) 

Nella is into beauty pageants, he said. ​"She is Mutya Ng San Fernando. Then, she will compete in Mutya ng Kapampangan. Ang gastos pala kapag sumasali sila sa beauty pageant. Sabi ko a kanya galingan n'ya lang at wala siyan dapat ika-kaba kasi sabi ko win or lose wala namang problema.​"

​(She is Mutya Ng San Fernando. Then, she will compete in Mutya ng Kapampangan. It's expensive when they participate in beauty pageant​s. I ​told her she doesn't have to worry ​win or lose.)

Allen said that it is an honor to be chosen as brand ambassador for Smart Access Philippines.

"Smart Access is an international consultancy that provides comprehensive migration solutions in Australia. It’s a perfect destination for all your migration and visa needs. The experienced team of experts has provided reliable and efficient services to help you achieve a successful, stress-free international study and journey since 2014," said Bibhusan Joshi, founder and director of Smart Access.

Smart Access has four branches worldwide - Australia, Nepal, Pakistan, and the Philippines. It will mark its 10^th year in the business in the first quarter of next year. The Philippines branch was launched on March 27, 2023, and a branch in Pampanga opened last August. Aside from Bibhusan, Reyvi Marinas, a migrant lawyer, owns Smart Access Philippines.

”We are proud of Allen's achievements as a multi-awarded actor, winning almost 50 acting awards locally and internationally. For being a good example of a great family man who advocates the importance of education to his children," said Bibhusan.

“Allen’s life is a success story - from a simple and dreaming 'probinsyano '-turned-respected actor and businessman. Just like his teleserye’s title,' Abot-Kamay Na Pangarap,' success will come to you as long as you have dreams and determination. He believes in our company's vision and for himself," said Stephanie Lasig, country manager.