Action superstar Robin Padilla has a new leading lady in the person of Angel Locsin. The two are the lead stars in the most ambitious and most expensive show of GMA-7 to date—Asian Treasures—which is set to premiere on January 15.
Angel is one of the youngest leading ladies Robin has ever had. Despite a reputation for being a ladies man, the Bad Boy of Philippine Movies said that it's near to impossible he will develop feelings for Angel, who just broke up with long-time boyfriend Oyo Sotto.
"Takot ako sa kanya!" joked Robin about his leading lady at the press conference of Asian Treasures last Sunday, January 7, at the Metro Bar, West Ave., Quezon City.
"Magaling ‘tong batang to. Baka magulpi tayo ng babae. Hindi pa nangyayari ‘yon. [laughed] Hindi naman ako lalaban, siyempre. Mabait tong batang to. Kahit wala pang tulog ''to, kahit patalunin namin, okay lang."
Robin, 38, said about Angel, 21: "Napaka-imposible kasi na ma-develop e. Magkaiba kaming henerasyon. May generation gap."
The action superstar also described the former Darna: "Napakagandang dalaga. Lahat nasa kanya na. Tama yung height, tama yung katawan. Lahat na."
But he also added, "Siyempre, yung proyekto namin, puro suntukan ‘to. Papaano ka made-develop kung araw-araw nakikipag-suntukan kami? Papaano yun?"
MASTER AND NOVICE. When asked how he sees Angel, Robin has nothing but praises for Angel.
"Babaeng Robin ‘to. Ang mga fight scenes, iba. Walang inaatrasan ‘to. Itinuturing niya akong instructor, master niya ako sa martial arts. Wala siyang ginawa sa TV kundi tumalon, sumuntok, sumipa," said Robin.
"‘Yan ang pinakamagandang bigyan niya ng panahon—yung mga aksyong ginagawa niya sa Asian Treasures para yung mga sakit, hindi mo na maramdaman," he added, referring to Angel's very recent break-up with Oyo.
The handsome star also said, "Kaya nasasabi kong mahirap magkaroon ng usapin ng pag-ibig, malayo yung gap—17 taon. Kahit sa kuwentuhan, iba na agad e. Natutuwa lang ako kasi magkasundo kami sa stunts. Okay siya. Yun lang naman ang gusto ko e. Hindi ako nagkamali sa kanya dahil ang tapang nito, pare."
Angel is currently suffering from the break-up blues.
Asked what advice he can give to Angel, he replied, "Hindi ko naman sinabing ‘wag siyang mag-boyfriend. Ang sinabi ko lang, bigyan niya ng tamang panahon yung mga stunts na ginagawa niya. Kasi puwede siyang maaksidente."
Robin, who is known for his sense of humor, jested, "Hindi pupuwedeng hahaluan mo ng love story. Mahirap maaksidente. Kaya ako, maraming aksidente kasi hinahaluan ko ng love story!"
He said, half jesting and half seriously, "Kung gusto nila, magbalikan sila. Kung ayaw nila, magtrabaho sila!"
Robin stressed that he has nothing but respect for the Sotto family.
"Si Oyo ay pamangkin ko. Si Dina Bonnevie [mother of Oyo] e malayo kong kamag-anak. Hindi ako manghihimasok. Walang ganung usapin, ‘tol. Makaka-ano ng trabaho," he said.
TWO QUEENS. Robin's last nightly soap was ABS-CBN'S Basta't Kasama Kita opposite young superstar Judy Ann Santos. This time around, Robin is working with Angel, one of GMA-7's most bankable female stars.
How does Robin compare his two leading ladies?
Robin went for the safe answer: "Hindi pwedeng pagkumparahin. Itong dalawang artistang ‘to, ang karakter nila, magkaiba. Pareho silang magaling."
The veteran star added, "Siyempre, galing ako sa Reyna ng Channel 2. Siyempre, kung lilipat naman ako, gusto ko dun sa Reyna ng Channel 7!"
KAPUSO. Robin was also asked how long he would be working with GMA-7.
Sounding very lively, he said, "Kung magtutuloy-tuloy yung pagmamahal nila sa akin, di tuloy-tuloy. Hindi ko pwedeng kalimutan. Ako'y hindi kasama dun sa Kapuso, Kapamilya—nagkataon lang. Ang usapan, kung sino yung makakatulong sa aking talino, sa aking kakayahan, sa aking trabaho."
He volunteered, "Merong alok ang GMA-7 sa akin na gusto kong gawin. Maiintindihan ng kabila yun. Dalawang taon akong nag-aral ng martial arts, hindi naman pwedeng itago lang yun."
Robin is set to do five films with GMA Films, the film arm of the Kapuso Network. His last movie was Till I Met You with Regine Velasquez.
"Dapat dalawa lang gagawin ko, naging lima," the action superstar said. "Sabi ko, kung makakapag-antay kayo, dahil hindi ako gumagawa ng lagare. Dalawang pelikula ang gagawin ko sa July, tapos yung isa sa December."