A ‘miracle’ in Dennis’ life

Dennis Padilla has never been known as a man who wears his spirituality on his sleeve. But now, he is. And he’s not cracking any of those jokes that send you rolling down the aisle after you watch his sitcom or any of his movies.

Yes, Dennis is dead serious now.

"All the good things started happening since I decided to practice tithing," says Dennis.

He gives 10 percent of his earnings weekly to the Victory Christian Fellowship, where he is a member. The amount may be big at times, but Dennis is unfazed, because he hangs on to his faith.

He recalls a time when he wrote a P10,000 postdated check as his tithe without knowing how in the world he will raise that amount. True, he earned a lot the week before. But he had spent the money on his children’s tuition and the family’s other needs.

Dennis went to his knees and prayed. The miracle happened on the third day after he issued the check. His manager, June Torrejon, called with a piece of good news. Dennis was tapped to do a Cherifer commercial with wife Marjorie Barretto and their children. Problem solved.

Another case happened years back. Dennis had no steady job for two years. The shows came and went. But the guestings in town fiestas, sitcoms and the like didn’t.

"I was able to provide for my family," relates Dennis with pride.

Yes, it’s a case of life imitating art. Dennis’ life is turning out to be a big rollicking rendezvous with fame and fortune.

His latest windfall is a new dating game show on RPN 9. Solar Entertainment has hired Dennis to host Sabi ni Nanay every Friday night at 8:30 p.m. starting March 9 on RPN.

The show puts three girl "searchees" on the flaming-hot grill, with the guy-searcher’s mom in command of the right choice. Hence the show’s title. At stake is an all-expense-paid dream date with the guy.

The show takes off from the Filipino custom of courting the original queen of the house — the guy’s mom — to win her son’s heart. The difference is, naughty Dennis (isn’t it a coincidence his name brings images of the young ruffian Dennis the Menace?) is there. Dennis plays devil’s advocate, teasing, cajoling, confusing the searcher as to how the searchee looks like (she reveals herself only in the show’s third segment).

"The show is ala Meet the Parents," says Dennis, "I will act as go-between for the searchee and the mom."

There will never be a dull moment, or, in TV speak — dead air — as Dennis attempts to combine the hosting skills of his idols, John Leno and Conan O’Brien, in the new reality show.

Parents should also relax. Dennis promises no green jokes; just wholesome punch lines here and there.

Dennis can’t help but feel nostalgic about Sabi ni Nanay’s home studio — RPN 9. His late father, Dencio Padilla, frequented its studios as mainstay of many a comedy show.

The old man must be smiling wherever he is, now that his eldest son has a new assignment in the network.

In fact, Dennis has only two words to describe his new show: heaven-sent. He wrote it down as one of the items on a piece of paper which he calls his prayer request list. All the items have been accounted for: a new car and a new house. He knew deep in his heart that the third item will come in due time. But when it came a year after, Dennis had to pinch himself to get convinced it was actually happening.

He prayed for a new show, yes. But hosting the show himself was not even in his wildest dreams!

To top it all, Dennis will work with a good friend, writer-director Ipe Pelino. The guy has been on top of the now-defunct Kool Ka Lang, where Dennis has been a mainstay for two years. They respect each other’s inputs. How can anyone be so blessed?

Now that he has his heart’s desire, is there anything else Dennis wants to put on his prayer request list?

"I want to take up a TV editing course on ABS-CBN, so I’m praying that I will get to become a good editor," replies Dennis.

Why not a director?

"Many actors are already into directing," says Dennis. "Besides, I noticed that good editors — like Toto Natividad and Joyce Bernal — turn out to be good directors. They help the producer save money by doing away with useless, unnecessary shots."

He has one other wish on the list: for Marjorie to win as councilor in the second district of Caloocan in coming elections (Dennis is on his last term of office).

Now that’s another story.