Action superstar Robin Padilla offers something new to Filipino viewers in his upcoming show on GMA-7, Asian Treasures. The actor, who spent two years in Thailand mastering Muay Thai, is also the stunt and fight choreographer for this epic adventure.
The former Bad Boy of Philippine Movies actually promoted Muay Thai during the Asian Treasures press conference last Sunday, January 7, at Metro Bar on West Avenue, Quezon City.
"Ako po kasi e nag-aral sa Thailand ng martial arts choreography. Bago ‘to. Lahat po ng martial arts mapapanood nyo [sa Asian Treasures], hindi lang Muay Thai. Nagkataon lang na ako ang Chairman ng Muay Thai sa Pilipinas, kaya Muay Thai yung pinu-promote namin. Nandito rin po ang wushu, nandito po ang arnis. Nandyan ang jujitsu, wrestling—kumpleto po," Robin said proudly.
When asked what for him is the best form of martial arts, Robin explained, "Hindi po ako naniniwala sa style. Lahat ng martial arts, may maganda. Kung ano yung maganda, kunin mo. Kung ano yung pangit, itapon mo.
He added, "Ang masasabi ko lang sa kabataan, imbes na uminom sa kanto, malulong sa masamang bisyo, mas masarap mag-martial arts. Para mayroon tayong disiplina. Kung mainit ulo mo, may ring. Puwede mong ilabas, 'tapos tapos na."
MUAY THAI. As Robin mentioned, he is currently the Chairman of the Muay Thai Association of the Philippines (MAP), with Roberto Valdez as President.
The organization is preparing for big Muay Thai events this year—the Foreign Muay Thai Wold Championship, the Asian Indoor Games in Macau, and the 24th SEA Games in Thailand.
The Philippines won three gold medals in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games for the Muay Thai event. MAP is a member of the Philippine Olympic Committee, World Muay Thai Council, and Federation of Muaythai Amateur of Asia. (www.pinoysports.ph)
A sport that originated in neighboring country Thailand, Muay Thai uses fists, elbows, shins, feet, and knees to strike the opponent. To bind the opponent for both offensive and defensive purposes, small amounts of stand-up grappling are used: the clinch. Muay Thai is often a fighting art of attrition, where opponents exchange blows with one another.
Muay Thai has a heavy focus on body conditioning. The sport is designed to promote a level of fitness and toughness needed for competition. The training regimen includes many staples of combat sports: running, shadowboxing, rope jumping, body weight resistance exercises, medicine ball exercises, abdominal exercises and, in some cases, weight training. (www.wikipedia.com)
ASIAN TREASURES. Robin was asked what makes Asian Treasures different from his other projects.
He replied, "Lahat po e. Sa mga ginawa kong pelikula, hindi nyo pa nakikita ‘yan. ‘Yan yung mga ginawa namin sa ibang bansa na ikinakapit dito sa atin. Kaya para kayong nanood ng Asian movies. Para kayong nanood ng mga pelikula ni John Woo."
(John Woo is the Chinese director who was catapulted to international fame with his Mission: Impossible 2, Face/Off, Hard Boiled, among others.)
He added, "Kaya ako nag-aral... Si John Woo lang ang naka-penetrate sa Hollywood. Sabi ko, ang Pilipino noong araw, tayo ang nag-e-export ng pelikula, hindi Instik. Naiwan na tayo. Sabi natin, pantayan muna natin ang Intsik, ‘wag na muna nating pantayan ang Hollywood, katarantaduhan yun e!"
With pride, he announced: "Pag napanood nyo ‘tong Asian Treasures, masasabi nating naka-landing na ang mga Pinoy!"
Asian Treasures, which will premiere on January 15, also stars Angel Locsin, Marvin Agustin, Diana Zubiri, Eddie Garcia, Marky Cielo, Glaiza de Castro, among others.