IN HIS early years in show business, Robin Padilla made a name for himself as the “Bad Boy of Philippine Movies,” portraying villainous roles that somehow elicited sympathy from the audiences. His rugged macho looks and controversial love life translated into huge box office receipts.
Padilla not only carried the moniker “Bad Boy,” he lived it—and that eventually proved to be his downfall.It took him a few years and several life-changing moments, before he turned his life around, making his comeback even more impressive that his first meteoric rise to fame.
Now, we’re seeing a rebirth of sorts for the 41-year-old actor, not only in his showbiz career, but as a newly wedded husband, a father to his now teenage daughters, and as a “brother” to all the members of the Liwanag ng Kapayapaan Foundation—all proving that even “Bad Boys” can change.
At a press conference that announced his new endorsement and tie-up with direct selling company Natasha, Padilla shared his stories on marital life, his duty as a father, and his efforts to help the members of the Liwanag ng Kapayapaan Foundation.
The newlyweds
A few weeks ago, ABS-CBN aired the documentary Iisang Landas, which gave fans a glimpse at the life of the newlywed couple, Robin Padilla and Mariel Rodriguez.
A few weeks ago, ABS-CBN aired the documentary Iisang Landas, which gave fans a glimpse at the life of the newlywed couple, Robin Padilla and Mariel Rodriguez.
Padilla says he’s enjoying the honeymoon period but admitted that his new bride Rodriguez can be quite OA (overacting) at times. In fact, Padilla said Rodriguez can be too much of a housewife.
“Kinakarir na niya ang pagiging housewife, na hindi ako naniniwala nung una na pangarap niya,” Padilla revealed. “Lahat siya ang nagaasikaso—igagawa ako ng kape, at ihahanda pati pampaligo at damit ko. Parang OA na nga,” the action star narrated.
“Ang problema kay Rodriguez—totoo ito—masyado nang umikot ang buhay niya sa akin.”
Padilla said now that he is active in showbiz, his work schedule can be quite unpredictable, and that is why he wanted Rodriguez to work again. “Kasi baka malungkot siya, at ma-bore, at yun pa ang pagsimulan ng away namin,” he reasoned out. He even admits to pushing Rodriguez to accept the noontime show Happy! Yippee! Yehey! and other projects on offer.
Despite Rodriguez’s overzealous-ness, Padilla admits it has made him appreciate his wife even more. “Happy ako kay Rodriguez dahil, kahit minsan, umaga na ako uuwi, gigising pa rin siya at aayusin ang almusal ko.”This is the reason why Padilla says he doesn’t plan having a baby soon. “Huwag na muna at baka wala na siyang aasikasuhin kundi yung bata na lang. Ayoko naman nun. Siguro OA man siya sa pag-asikaso sa akin ngayon, ayoko namang mawala ‘yon. Mina-mahal ko siya ng ganoon. Maybe in a couple of years, we can have our own baby,” he said.
He also praised Rodriguez’s seemingly boundless energy, which greatly helped during the filming of their movie Tum: My Pledge of Love. It opened in theaters on Wednesday.
Padilla, who wrote, directed and produced the movie, describes it as a love story about two people hindered by cultural and religious beliefs and by the people around them. Aside from Padilla and Rodriguez, the movie also stars his daughter Queenie Padilla, Ejay Falcon, Bing Loyzaga, Eddie Garcia and several Indian actors.
Fatherhood
Another reason why Padilla might not want to have a child with Rodriguez yet is because he is still busy playing fad to teenage daughters Queenie and Kylie, both of whom have gone into show business.
Another reason why Padilla might not want to have a child with Rodriguez yet is because he is still busy playing fad to teenage daughters Queenie and Kylie, both of whom have gone into show business.
Although he supports his daughters’ decisions, Padilla did not deny that he felt very sad when Kylie asked for her independence.
“Masakit nang nagpapaalam si Kylie.” But Padilla said he didn’t stop her because she was already 18-years-old and was of age. “Maganda naman ‘yung paliwanag niya. ‘Yung mga anak ko naman mapagkaka-tiwalaan. Bilib ako sa anak ko, kinausap niya ako nang maayos. Dramatic nga lang ‘yung eksena, pinipilit kong hindi maiyak, pero pag-alis niya nalungkot talaga ako.”
As for their potential suitors and love life, Padilla said he wouldn’t meddle as well. “Kung sinuman ang makapagbibigay ng ngiti sa kanila at inspirasyon, kanila na ‘yun. Hindi ko pipigilan ang kaligayahan ng mga anak ko.”
Padilla, however, stressed that nobody would get his nod of approval just to please his daughters.
“Uulit-ulitin ko lang po, sinuman ang manligaw sa mga anak ko, hindi ko kailanman ipagpapalit ang pananampalataya ko para ma-impress ko ang anak ko. Bawal po talaga ang pagiging boyfriend-girlfriend sa Islam. Kung gusto nila talaga at nagkakagustuhan sila at sa palagay nila sila nang dalawa, eh maging mag-asawa sila,” he explained.
He, however, reminded his daughters that they were still quite young to settle down. “Tandaan ninyo, nag-uumpisa pa lang ang tamis ng inyong mga buhay, huwag muna ninyong isarado. Kalalaya n’yo lang sa amin mga magulang ninyo, huwag kayong kumuha ulit ng security. Ang pag-ibig, security guard yan!” he laughingly added.
From ‘Bad Boy’ to ‘Idol’
One of the first things Padilla did after getting out of prison was to establish the Liwanag ng Kapa-yapaan Foundation (LKF) that seeks to help the less fortunate through various community development programs.
One of the first things Padilla did after getting out of prison was to establish the Liwanag ng Kapa-yapaan Foundation (LKF) that seeks to help the less fortunate through various community development programs.
Padilla said they were actually the ones who approached Natasha for a tie-up with the LKF. “Noong mag-take over si Rommel [his brother] sa presidency ng LKF, sabi niya mali daw na tanggalan ng responsibilidad ang mga magulang at ibigay lahat ng libre. Sabi ni Rommel sa akin kailangan daw gawin naming mas responsible ang mga magulang kaya tinuruan namin sila maging baristas, health therapists at kung paano magsimula ng food processing business. Kaya lang na ng mag-meeting ulit kami, wala naman daw silang makuhang trabaho at mabentahan ng produkto nila,” he recounted.
“Doon naming naisip ang Natasha. At that time I was talking with the company about developing my own fragrance line. So we thought, kailangan namin ng marunong sa direct selling na tuturuan ang magulang. Kami ang lumapit sa Natasha,” he added.Padilla said being a Natasha member was easy. “All you have to do is approach a Natasha member and ask him/her to recruit you; call telephone numbers (632) 684-9196 or head over to any Natasha branch to register; or visit their website at www.natashaMYDCT.ph.”
Asked if starting this direct-selling business was a part of his retirement plans, Padilla didn’t deny that slowing down had crossed his mind. However, because of his new marriage he said retirement would have to wait.
“Noong bago dumating si Rodriguez, gusto ko na talagang magpahinga, pero sa ngayon gusto pa naming magkapamilya medyo postponed muna ang pagri-retire. Nakakatalon pa naman ako, naka-tumbling pa nga ako kahapon. Sa ngayon nagagamit ko pa ‘yung pagiging artista ko para tuparin ang mga pangarap ko at makatulong sa tao. Lalo na ngayon kailangan ulit magipon para sa amin ni Rodriguez.”
So far, Padilla says all his prayers have been answered so there’s no reason for him to retire just yet