The one & the only Robin Padilla

Robin Padilla is a megastar. This perhaps is an understatement or a belated declaration. But, better late than having missed the chance to say it.

I interviewed Binoe for Inside the Cinema on Cinema One. It was my first lengthy interview with the undisputed idol of the masses. He came to the set not in his trademark leather jacket, and denim pants but in a fabulous linen suit. Binoe was dapper, handsome, delicious and sexy. He came to the studio like the superstar that he is, magnetic and intoxicating. He had the demeanor, the gait of a true blue superstar. Binoe’s originality is legendary. It is no wonder many men, women, gays, gravitate towards one of the most charismatic personalities of this generation.

One of the most bankable actors in local cinema, Binoe wanted to be a priest, a soldier and then an actor. A child of true friendships, (“sa mga nagsasabi na walang tunay na mga kaibigan sa showbiz hindi totoo yan. Dikong (Deo Fajardo), called all his friends to get me roles and they were all helpful”). Early in his career and throughout his rise to superstardom, Deo stood as his manager. It was in 1984 when Robin approached him and told him that he wanted to become an actor. Deo said, “Hindi ka pwedeng mag artista. Hindi ka mestiso.” Robin replied, “Pwede naman ako maging kontrabida.”

Robin recalls an incident when he thought he was part of the film Ninja Kids and he went to the set early for his shooting. He watched the actors being filmed, until late at night when he realized that he was not part of the movie. Robin was disappointed but not broken. He had that unflappable resolve to make it one day.

As a teenager, Robin was a mean breakdancer in Baguio where his family resided. He and his friends would form groups and stage dance showdowns in clubs. Whoever won, stayed in the disco, the losers would flee to the darkness in the company of pine trees of the summer capital. He is also an avid Sharonian. When Sharon Cuneta went to Baguio for a motorcade, Robin followed the group wherever it went. And, when the time came that he was already big in the industry, Robin had the chance to meet the megastar in the Viva office. Utterly shy, he hid his face with his hands and could not look Sharon in the eye. He could not believe he was meeting the megastar. He ran to the comfort room, and slapped his face several times in disbelief. To this day, he remains a fan of the megastar.

Robin also went to Regal to work as stuntman. He doubled for several actors. He was also cast in a TV show, Pinoy Thriller directed by Argel Joseph. It was the late Helen Vela another friend of Dikong who got him into TV. Robin appeared in Bagets Gang with Jinggoy Estrada, (“ang bait niya,” quoted Robin of Jinggoy), Public Enemy No. 2 where he played support to Eddie Garcia. He also got parts in Alega Gang that starred Bong Revilla, Delima Gang with Phillip Salvador, until the lead roles in Hindi Pahuhuli ng Buhay and Carnap King established him as another action star to boot. But, the real big push to superstardom came with Anak ni Baby Ama and the rest, they say, is cinema history.

At the height of his success, Robin admits he was side-swept by fame and money. His movies were raking it in at the box-office. But some good things don’t last. He became down and out. Then, he realized that money was not everything. Friendships and relationships meant more. He himself is the product of the kindness of people. Robin is forever indebted to Bong Revilla, Eddie Garcia, Edu Manzano (who lent him a car and a driver while he was a struggling actor), Fernando Poe Jr., Joseph Estrada, Vic del Rosario, Mother Lily Monteverde, among the many others who have helped him fulfill his dreams.

One of the most harrowing experiences of his life was when he entered prison. He was sentenced to 21 years for illegal possession of firearms. He served three years and a half without getting the much-talked about VIP treatment. In 1998, he got a presidential pardon from then President Fidel Ramos. Robin was a free man and was ready to face the world. But he was peeved with what he saw. Yes, he minded that some people copied his brand. The walk, the talk, the dress: they was all his. And he was not about to allow people to steal his persona.

Robin has successfully gained what he sowed. He is back in harness, married to Mariel Rodriguez, doing TV and movie projects with the same intensity of the young Robin Padilla.

Robin immensely adores his wife. He genuinely appreciates it that Mariel begins and ends her day by thinking about his welfare. She’s very attentive to him and vice versa.

Robin has also entered the world of indie filmmaking. He is enjoying the “method” of indie moviemaking — how people prepare, study and make do with what they have. He is also in awe of the new crop of young actors. “Iba na ngayon ang mga artista. Ang gagaling. Pag sabi ng director na action, talagang in character. If it’s a love scene you would really fall for these young actresses. But when the director shouts ‘cut,’ wala na sa kanila. Robin has a very high regard for Bea Alonzo. “She will make you feel that she is in love with you. Pag sigaw ng director ng ‘cut,’ alis agad, wala na,” he said laughing.

Robin will remain a superstar in the hearts and minds of the Filipino people. He continues to create converts — this writer included. Converts who will evangelize the magic of the one and the only Robin Padilla.