Daniel: Being role model is a responsibility

He is the hottest young man in showbiz today and I’m always proud to say that he remains true to his core. He remains true to his goodness while being imperfect — which is okay. Who am I talking about? He’s none other than Daniel Padilla who returned on the hot seat of

Tonight With Boy Abunda (TWBA) a few nights back.

Daniel is back on the big screen and this time, he’s taking on a more mature role but still with perennial screen partner Kathryn Bernardo in the Star Cinema-produced The Hows of Us. And from being longtime partners, the two admitted they’ve been in a relationship for five years now. But that is getting ahead of the story.

It is certain that many are curious what does it feel like to be as famous as Daniel, also known as DJ to you and me. How does DJ live and breathe with it?

“S’yempre sa mundong ito, bumibitaw pa din ako,” the actor said with all sincerity. “I mean, bumibitaw ako at alam ko na may totoong mundo pa rin. ‘Pag umuuwi ako, tapos na ‘yung pagiging isa kong artista. Well, knowing in this industry, especially when you are big, you are surrounded by everyone as if you are like a king. They are all for you and I think you should not be eaten up by that (situation). You may be the king (in their eyes) but when this is all over, are you still the king? You are not and so I don’t want to be stuck in that (idea).”

DJ believes being a role model is part of an actor’s responsibility. Given his stature, many are looking up to him. Therefore, he has to be careful with his actions “but you should also be true to yourself and I think the enjoyable part is you have to (learn how to) balance. For me, it builds character because if you are too plain, they’ll get bored.”

What happened during a break in an interview he did in Bangkok, for example, had got a lot of people talking about him. It wasn’t intentional, he said. He, too, was surprised when he found out that everything he said was caught on Facebook Live.

A video of DJ went viral after he told Kathryn that he needed to go to the toilet. He and Kathryn were guests in The Anne Show, Thailand’s popular talk show. It was broadcast via Facebook Live. He knew that the cameras were off but it escaped his mind that his lapel mic was still on.

“I forgot that it was also on Facebook Live,” he laughed. “So when the cameras were turned off, may ‘kwinento’ lang ako kay Kathryn (laughs). Yes, it’s TMI (too much information). We always talk like that, ever since, so sakto ‘yung Live, there’s no choice. I mean, they heard straight from my mouth and I didn’t find anything wrong with it. It’s a private conversation that went public.”

What he intentionally made public was the real score between him and Kathryn. The revelation happened at the media gathering announcing the showing of movie with DJ telling loud and clear that he and Kathryn are going steady for five years now.

“It was a perfect time and I decided to tell about it because it’s tiring to make alibis every time. I just wish no one will dig deeper into it. Let’s leave it at that, just give a little space.”

Get to know more about DJ through his answers in the special segment Hows of Love. Read on.

Hows of Love question No. 1: Are you also planning your future with your partner?

“We daydream. Sometimes, we think about our future.”

Hows of Love question No. 2: Do you actually go on specific like how many children do you want? What kind of wedding?

“I couldn’t talk about it. I couldn’t open about children; I'm shy to share about my dream wedding or dream house. Mine is a beach wedding that is very chill where everyone is barefoot.”

Hows of Love question No. 3: Kapag pagod ka na iiwan mo ba siya?

“I got tired so many times but I did not leave her. We were in the middle of a fight and came to a point of questioning (each other) if you still want this or not? Pero babalik din ako sa tanong na sino ba itong tao na ‘to sa akin?”

Hows of Love question No. 4: Ano ang dapat gawin kapag napagod ka na sa isang relasyon?

“First, you ask yourself what’s the reason of you getting tired in a relationship? I think whatever the reason should be fixed. You and your partner should talk about it. You gonna make it exciting every time. Both of you should do something because I and Kathryn always have company all the time and once the two of us are left alone, it’s exciting and it’s gonna be an adventure for us so mas lalo ko s’yang naa-appreciate ‘pag kaming dalawa lang. Mas lalo ko s’yang nararamdaman kasi minsan parang ma-sho-shock ka na lang at mapapatingin ka na lang oh my god, aalagaan ako nito.”

In times when you’re feeling tired of the relationship, have you and Kathryn thought you have to take a break from each other?

“Yeah, nagkaroon kami pero mabilis lang din kasi hindi rin namin kaya.”

Hows of Love question No. 5: What if you’re no longer happy with the things you are dreaming of?

“You should find out why you’re not happy anymore so I think you go back to (the factor) contentment. Baka masyado kang maraming hinihiling. It’s not that way. You have to reach the point of contentment and if that happens, you will be very genuinely happy.”

What would you choose, pangarap o pag-ibig?

“Pag-ibig. I am always for love.”