The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Alvin I. Dacanay
Ever since he attained stardom in the 1990s with such hit films as Bad Boy, Anak ni Baby Ama, and Maging Sino Ka Man, Robin Padilla has made a name for himself as one of the Philippine movie industry’s most mercurial rebels, both onscreen and off.
This outspoken member of the famed Padilla clan has been called many names and described in so many ways throughout his colorful life and career: Ladies’ man. Heartbreaker. Troublemaker. Prisoner. Muslim convert. Free man. Award-winning actor.
His 2010 marriage to television host Mariel Rodriguez—who is expected to give birth to their much-desired daughter, whom they would name Maria Isabella, in the United States (of which Mariel is a citizen) on Nov. 21—may have mellowed him somewhat, but he remains passionate about his causes and provocative with his words.
After playing the title role in Enzo Williams’ award-winning 2014 biopic Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo and expressing his ardent support for now-President Duterte and his controversial anti-illegal drugs campaign, Padilla has earned himself another description: patriot. A patriot who genuinely believes that the nation is experiencing a revolution under the former Davao City mayor.
Passionate, provocative, patriotic—these traits of Padilla’s were on full display during the media conference on the partnership between the MoneyGram Foundation (of which the actor is the brand ambassador) and education-oriented volunteer organization Black Pencil Project late last month in Makati City.
In a short interview on the sidelines of the conference, Padilla doesn’t mince words in talking as a parent and entertainer:
On what he would do differently in raising his new daughter:
Padilla: Dati, quality (time) lang ang naibigay ko sa mga anak ko. Quantity, wala. Ngayon, gusto ko, both ways…. Magagawa ko lamang ‘yan kung magko-concentrate ako, 100 percent. Ang ibig kong sabihin, hindi ko magiging priority ang trabaho. Magiging priority ko ‘yung anak ko.
On celebrities who are against President Duterte:
Padilla: Mga bayad ‘yon…. Naniniwala ako na ‘yung mga artista na ‘di sumusuporta kay Mayor, bayad. Ako, hindi ako bayad, kasi naniniwala (ako) kay Mayor. Saan niyo kukuwestyunin si Mayor, sa pagka-Pilipino? Wala nang naging Pilipino pa na ganyan, si Mayor lang.
Saan kayo kumukuha ng pundasyon ng pagka-artista niyo? Dapat sa pagka-Pilipino niyo. Hindi tayo Amerikano, at lalong hindi tayo Español. Ako, may dugo akong Español, may dugo akong Amerikano, pero I chose to be a Filipino. Pwede akong kumuha ng passport na Español kung gusto ko, pero I chose to be a Filipino. Eh kayo, tuta!
On his current lack of projects:
Padilla: Mayroon akong mga tinanggihan na pelikula. Halimbawa, mayroon akong tinanggihan na rom-com, kasi para sa akin—from Bonifacio, gagawa ako ng rom-com—parang “thank you, maraming salamat sa offer, dahil napakasikat nung babaeng makakatambal”—pero di ko magagawa; walang passion ko doon. Siguro kung in-offer sa akin ‘yan five years ago, noong binata ako, pwede. Pero nasa revolution tayo ngayon, hindi makakatulong sa akin ‘yang rom-com.
Hindi ako pwedeng gumawa ng pelikula na hindi ako naniniwala. Kung mayroong statement na salungat doon sa pinaglalaban ko, hindi ko gagawin ‘yon, kahit gaano kalaking pelikula ‘yan. Mayroon na tayong tinitindigan… kung hindi siya makakatulong sa kamulatan, huwag nating gawin. ‘Yang pelikula ‘yang makaka-deliver pa ‘yan ng confusion, huwag nating gawin ‘yan, lalo na pag ang subject ay yung mga native Filipinos. Hindi ako pupuwede, dahil student din ako ng history. Hindi mo ako pwede diktahan kung ano’ng nangyari. Hinding-hindi ako papayag.
Nung una in-offer sa akin ang (papel na) Andres Bonifacio sa El Presidente, hindi ko ginawa ‘yon, kahit matalik na kaibigan ko si Gov. Jeorge Estregan (E.R. Ejercito).
Ganoon din sa teleserye. Kung hindi (ito) susunod sa cut-off time, hindi ko gagawin ‘yan. Kasi ang hirap naman noong nagsalita ako nang nagsalita against sa cut-off, sa abuse sa mga artista, tapos ako mismo, nagperperform pa rin? Hindi, eh. Kailangan, you walk your talk. Naniniwala ako na dapat i-implement ang cut-off [time] sa mga artista. Kung hindi sa mga artista, eh sa mga nagtatrabaho sa likod ng kamera.