Last August 15, "Utol ng Bayan" Robin Padilla went to India to attend to a personal project at Shimla, near the Himalayas.
Three days after, rumored girlfriend Mariel Rodriguez followed him.
According to the Pilipinas, Win na Win! host, whose interview with Entertainment Live! was aired yesterday, August 28, "He [Robin] was so sad that he thought I was not texting him. So lagi siyang nakasimangot until umabot sa point na nagpamigay na lang siya ng dugo. Marami siyang award na. Ibang-iba na. Imagine po, nang kahit sad na siya, gusto pa niyang tumulong sa iba."
With flowers in hand, Robin met Mariel at the airport. She recalled, "When I got there, nakita ko si Robin, 'tapos meron siyang flowers, sobrang... malakas magpa... as in! First time meron sa akin nagbigay ng flowers sa airport, nandoon talaga naghihintay. Hinanap ko siya agad nung dumating ako sa pinto. Bawal pala yun sa India. Bawal pala yung mag-kiss. Buti na lang sweet lang yung smack ko sa kanya."
SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT. The following day, Robin and Mariel went to the Noble School in Alipur where they were warmly received. "Yung Noble School sa Alipur, para siyang LKF, yung libreng paaralan. Ang daming mga bata. Kahit libre yung school, yung facilities nila, the best. Yung parang nai-inspire siya [Robin] doon na gawin ang LKF."
The LKF is the Liwanag ng Kapayapaan Foundation founded by Robin three years ago, which gives full and partial scholarships to Muslim and non-Muslim girls living in depressed areas in West Fairview, Quezon City.
When Robin was introduced by the school head, the school head surprisingly announced: "We will have a wedding with Robin's wife-to-be." In response, Robin declared: "I came back with my wife."
Mariel was astonished by these statements. "Nagulat. Nakakagulat talaga. Pero, feeling ko, ganoon talaga siya pag meron siyang 'someone special,' ganyan niya tratuhin talaga."
Rumors had reached the Philippines that they got married in India, but Mariel denied this. "Sabi naman niya na hindi naman namin isisikreto sa mga tao. It's just that now, di siguro masyadong appropriate. Kasi the reason why he went back meron nga siyang kailangan ayusin para sa mga anak niya."
But the TV host-actress admitted that they do talk about it. "Yes, napag-uusapan namin. Wala pa namang definite na kung kailan. It's just something nice to dream about, di ba? Nice to talk about. Di naman kailangan magmadali."
The couple then visited the famous Taj Mahal in Agra. The "crown of buildings" was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved third wife, Mantaz Mahal. "Na-in love siya sa story ni Mughal at nung asawa niya. He said na pagbalik niya sa India, he was gonna go there with someone special. Nag-stay kami doon nang matagal, buong day."
During the interview, Mariel exuded the happy vibes of a woman in love. "I've never been this happy. I'm really contented with life. Di ko alam na puwede palang ganitong kasaya. It's true, di ako nagsasawa when I'm with him. Yun ang na-realize ko siguro when I was in India. Kahit 24 hours, di kami nauubusan ng pag-uusapan pag magkasama kaming dalawa. There's nothing wrong. Everything is okay."
SPENDING TIME WITH HIS KIDS. When asked about the return of Ali, Robin's youngest child, to his mom in Australia, Mariel simply said, "Yun ang pagkakaalam ko kung babalik talaga. I think inaayos nila 'yon. They're working on it like yung passports. I think mas mabuti kung si Robin ang kausapin tungkol diyan."
Last August 12, PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) published an interview with Robin's ex-wife Liezl Sicangco wherein she lamented Robin's lack of time for their only son Ali. For this reason, Liezl wanted the 10-year-old to go back to Australia to live with her. (CLICK HERE to read related article)
In response, Robin issued a statement saying that he will urge his children to return to Australia to be with their mother. (CLICK HERE to read related article)
For now, Robin wants to spend time with his children. Mariel explained: "We are gonna go away with Kylie and Ali para he can spend time with them. Naka-tag along ako doon."
Mariel was also asked about the operation that she will undergo when she returns to Manila since she was diagnosed as having ovarian cysts. She pointed out: "Twelve years old pa lang ako meron akong dermoid cyst. It's benign. Di naman siya cancerous. Kailangan pa rin siyang tanggalin."