Why is Daniel hiding behind i2i dark glasses?

Because he is seen often wearing i2i dark glasses day and even night, Daniel Padilla invariably makes people wonder if he’s hiding something. Is he?

“You see,” Daniel explained to Funfare during the recent launch of the DJP Collection of i2i New York (named after his full name Daniel John Ford Padilla) at Manila House, “I have this habit of staring at people, titig nang titig sa mga tao, so I have to wear dark glasses. Otherwise, they might think that I am rude. Mahilig lang talaga ako tumingin. Masyado lang akong observant.”

Now that he has admitted going steady with Kathryn Bernardo (“After all, we are of age; I’m 22 and she’s turning 21 in March”), does Daniel still look (tingin nang tingin) at other girls?

Daniel Padilla with Tina Ocampo who co-owns i2i New York with husband Ricco Ocampo...

“What I mean is that I have the habit of staring at people,” he hastened to qualify, “I don’t mean girls, hindi ibang babae, but people in general.”

Co-owned by Ricco Ocampo and wife Tina, i2i New York is a set of hip and on-trend yet inexpensive sunglasses greatly inspired by music influences and Hollywood heartthrobs like Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr. and John Lennon.

“It was Daniel himself who designed the collection named after him,” Tina told Funfare. “i2i has always been authentic and true, and has always been committed to having quality at affordable prices (from P370 to P460 a pair). He’s the best celebrity endorser because, like i2i, he’s authentic. He has been an eyewear user since he was 18.”

Said Daniel, “It’s true. I started wearing glasses when I was in high school. I like playing with different styles of eyewear. I’ve been inspired by the street fashion of Tokyo. Ang galing nilang lahat manamit at ang eyewear nila, sobrang kakaiba.”

Added Tina, “Daniel is very easy to work with because he’s certain about what style he wants, and what his fans and our customers would also like.”

Daniel’s mom, Karla Estrada (who hosts the ABS-CBN morning show Magandang Buhay with Jolina Magdangal and Melai Cantiveros), fell so in love with the DJP i2i Collection that she recently opened an i2i outlet in her native Tacloban City as a franchisee, with another branch soon in Ormoc City. Mother and son are also planning “something big” that Funfare cannot divulge just yet. (“Off the record muna,” said Daniel).

...and with (seated, from left) Myrza Sison, Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Your Funfarer for an i2i ‘family picture,’ together with (back row, from left) Veana Fores, Keren Pascual and Ricco.

As KathNiel, Daniel and Kathryn are growing old(er) fast and it’s inevitable that they have to part ways somehow and be paired with other stars.

“Alam ng ABS-CBN how to do it,” assured Daniel. “In the meantime, we have to be KathNiel. We are thankful to KathNiel fans who are helping a lot not only Kathryn and me but also the company.”

Daniel is careful not to hurt the feelings of KathNiel fans, that’s why when asked to name three other actresses he would like to be paired with, he begged off, not even to name the three actresses (that is, aside from Kathryn) that he finds sexy.

“Yari tayo dyan,” he laughed and laughed. “Patay tayo dyan!”

(By the way, i2i New York is available at Market Market, SM MOA, Trinoma, SM North EDSA, Festival Mall, SM Fairview, Retina Uptown, Glorietta, Greenbelt 1, SM Manila, Robinsons Ermita, SM Megamall, SM Bacoor, SM Dasmariñas, Starmall Alabang, Robinsons Galleria, Pavillion Mall, Farmers Plaza, Sta. Lucia Mall, Riverbanks Marikina, Cash & Carry Mall and Robinsons Tacloban. For inquiries about franchise partnership, call Anna Mapili at +63917-7948001.)

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)