Robin Padilla bulks up for "Totoy Bato" role

(INTRO) Robin Padilla gained 40 pounds for his role as a boxer in “Totoy Bato,” the newest show on the Telebabad block of the Kapuso network, which starts airing on Monday, February 23.

The action star trained for three months for the role. He went up Mt. Pulog for his training and body conditioning. Since he would be engaging in fight scenes, it is important that his body is in shape.

In fairness, Robin’s new look becomes him. He’s even more good-looking (as he has always been) even if he has added weight.

What is his secret to looking good?

“I guess it’s because I lead a happy life, a clean life. I think that’s the most important reason. I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I don’t have any vices,” said the action star. “Of course, I am really taking good care of my body. I am liver lover (referring to his TV commercial for supplement). I can’t afford not to lead a clean life and not to have a strong and healthy body. Most of my endorsements now have something to do with being healthy. It won’t look good on me if I am not fit or if I get sick,” Robin explained.

Robin was touched with the trailer of “Totoy Bato” and he lauded the production staff, most of whom were the ones he worked with when he did “Joaquin Burdado” for GMA 7 last year.

“We helped each other to come up with a good show. As you’ve seen from the trailer, parang pelikula ang quality ng ginawa namin. We forgot about the sleepless nights and the tiring scenes that we had to do. Since they had worked with me in ‘Joaquin Burdado,’ they already knew what I wanted for this new project. We don’t mind getting less sleep or even not sleeping at all as long as we come up with something that we can be proud of,” said Robin.

What can he say with the statement of Miss Wilma Galvante, the Executive in Charge of GMA Production, that he’s not easy to work with but he is worth it?

“Anybody from the production side would surely say that I am not easy to work with. It is not that I am a problem for them. It’s because I really aim to make things really good, if not perfect. I won’t go for a puwede na iyan. I don’t like that. If we can’t do it right, then we will do it over and over again. Even if meant broken bones and aching muscles, you can’t say no and stop. But so far the results have been very good and the production people are very pleased,” he said.

Robin said it’s a big honor for him to be given the chance to breathe life into the character of “Totoy Bato,” written by Komiks King Carlo J. Caparas, on the TV screen. “Totoy Bato” was first done as a film by the late king of Philippine movies Fernando Poe, Jr.

The action star was humbled when Direk Carlo J. Caparas called him as the New King (Bagong Hari) of Philippine movies and that he’s already on the road to greatness, reserved only for the King, Fernando Poe, Jr. no less. If Direk Carlo’s words were to be taken seriously, Robin is destined to become a legend.

GMA 7 had a grand launching last Sunday for “Totoy Bato.” Aside from a photo exhibit (taken by ace photographer Jun de Leon) which was on display at the GMA lobby last Sunday, there was also a fireworks display to launch the newest GMA series that co-stars Robin with Regine Velasquez, Eddie Garcia and Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.