Robin Padilla, the lead star of the film Sundo and the action-drama series Totoy Bato, was surprised when asked about BB Gandanghari—Robin's brother who was known as Rustom before he changed his identity— and the possibility of her entertaining suitors.
"Nililigawan siya? Hinimatay na ako, nasundo ako!" Robin said with a laugh. Then he seriously added, "Ang opinyon ko po diyan ay hindi na importante. Sapagkat bilang kapatid, bilang isang Muslim, napakalungkot na magbigay ako ng opinion na malulungkot din siya. Mas mainam na ako na lang ang malungkot, kami na lang ang malungkot, basta manatili siyang maligaya. Hindi na po importante iyon."
In a separate interview with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), BB Gandanghari said she was just waiting for the right time to see her mother Eva Cariño Padilla and her brothers again. Following this was a report that BB later met with her mother personally.
Robin said he never had the chance to meet BB at that time because, "Nasa Tanay ako. Pero lahat ng papuri niya sa Totoy Bato, nakarating sa amin."
Then the action star went back to the "ligawan" issue by saying that he would never talk about it with BB.
"Hindi namin pag-uusapan 'yong may manliligaw," he said during the presscon of Sundo yesterday, March 3. "Kasi bubuksan pa lang niya 'yon, hihimatayin na ako, malamang masundo ako! Siguro sa personal niyang buhay, labas na kami diyan. Bilang sumusuporta na lang kay BB."
QUEENIE IN MINDANAO. Meanwhile, Robin also gave the same support for his "newly transformed" brother to his first daughter Queenie, who is also part of Totoy Bato.
Queenie went to Mindanao to represent her father, who is the current president of the Liwanag ng Kapayapaan Foundation Inc., in distributing food to the evacuees in North Cotabato and Maguindanao.
Robin said that he is aware of his daughter's involvement in the causes for Mindanao, but he's not in favor of it.
"Lahat ng punta nila doon, sarili nilang desisyon 'yon, lagi akong kontra doon," said the Muslim actor. "Kapag sinabi nila sa akin 'yon, medyo nagagalit na ako, kasi hindi biro 'yon. Kaso ang problema kasi sa mga bata ngayon, hindi ka puwedeng magsabi ng hindi. Sa kanila, basta alam nilang tama, gagawin nila, kaya susuportahan mo na lang.
"Sa tuwing pumupunta sila doon, malungkot ako, pero wala akong magawa. Bilang magulang, pasasamahin ko ang mga magulang ko, tatawagan ko lahat ng mga kaibigan natin doon para secure sila."
Robin added that whenever his daughter goes to Mindanao, "Ayaw ng mga anak ko [na sumama ako]. Siyempre, naiintindihan ko naman, lakad nila 'yon. Kumbaga, 'Hindi na ako kindergarten, Pa, para samahan mo ako sa mga ganitong klaseng paniniwala.' Ako, bilib ako sa mga anak ko, masyadong matatapang."
Aside from supporting his daughter, Robin also wishes that Queenie and his second daughter Kylie, who have both entered show business, would continue their studies. He said, "Gusto kong masunod ang gusto ng mama nila [Liezl Sycangco] na mag-aral sila, makapagtapos sila ng pag-aaral, makapag-asawa."
ROBIN LEAVES ACTION STAR IMAGE. On a separate note, Robin talked about his experience in making his new horror film titled Sundo. According to its director, Topel Lee, a different Robin Padilla will be seen in this movie.
This was seconded by the actor himself. He said that his "action star" image was toned down for Sundo.
He explained, "Kasi talagang binantayan ni Direk Topel at saka ng aming cinematographer 'yong bawat kilos ko, ayaw nilang mapareho sa iba. Kapag may nakita silang kapareho sa dati, ika-cut nila 'yon, sasabihin nila, 'Robin, puwede bang huwag mong panggalingin sa ilalim ang tingin mo kasi parang bad boy. Puwede bang itaas mo ng kaunti ang mukha mo. 'Yong ilaw, ililipat lang namin 'yon.'
"Ako'y natutuwa kapag ganun kasi para sa akin naman 'yon, e. Sa katunayan, noong mga panahon na sarili ko lang ang nasusunod, hindi ako napupuna. Pero noong nag-umpisa akong maging actor's director, ako po'y nanalo ng mga awards. Kaya po simula noon, nakasalalay ako palagi sa direktor.
"Isa po itong magandang karanasan. Ako po'y isang bayani sa gitna ng kababalaghan. Ibang-iba, e. Iba ang tema, action siya pero nasa loob siya ng horror."
Sundo will be shown in cinemas starting March 18 and will have a premiere night on March 17 at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.