What BB can’t tell ‘her’ brothers

MANILA, Philippines - If actions speak louder than words, then the Padilla siblings — Robin, Rommel and BB Gandanghari — need not say anything to describe how much closer they have become to one another. They tease each other endlessly without anyone feeling hurt and laugh as hard as can be while recalling things from the past — the naughty, the nice and, uhm, the not so nice.

They, too, gamely reveal some off-the-record talks they had during tapings for 2 ½ Daddies, the latest TV5 show that topbills Robin, Rommel and BB in a comedy genre for the first time. The sitcom will air every Saturday at 8 beginning tonight. Robin shares that it now took several hours for BB to dress up and do hair and make-up.

“This is our first time to work with BB (the former Rustom) at napakagaling n’yang umarte at mas magaling s’yang mag-action ngayon,” says Robin on things that he recently discovered about BB. “Nanibago talaga kami ni Rommel.” It was 20 years ago when the siblings initially appeared together on screen via the action movie Mistah.

Without feeling offended, BB says spending time in martial arts training proved beneficial in the action scenes. “I hope that through the show, everyone can see our rapport as siblings as far as comedy is concerned. Although I don’t have any background in comedy, I can still say that I can do it. I think that’s the difference between Rustom and BB. Now that I am BB, I can express myself more; that’s why I’m a better actor now because I have no more fears at di na kasing tigas ng titanium ang likod ko. I have no more inhibitions.”

The show, Robin adds, has become a perfect venue for them to tease BB without end. “Dati kasi ‘di namin s’ya mabiro ng personal.”

For his part, Rommel confirms that they have fully accepted BB’s “sexuality.” Still, he cannot exactly tell if they, too, are willing to give their blessings and walk with BB down the aisle if and when the latter decides to enter into a same-sex marriage. “Perhaps, when the church allows them to go in front of the altar, or in any other religious sector, then why not? Tao lang po kami pero ang tanungan d’yan at ‘yun ang lagi kong sinasabi kay BB na sana yung kagustuhan ng Diyos ay ‘wag natin pangunahan.”

Robin takes the subject lightly by saying that it is their eldest brother Royette from whom BB should ask for consent. “But of course, the final say will always come from BB; kung ano ang gusto n’ya.”

BB asks back, “Pwede na bang tawagin (referring to the guy)?” and Robin answers, “Enjoy your puberty first (laughs).”

It was in 2006 when BB revealed on national TV about his sexuality. The confession, according to BB, came after some years of “self-exploration” in the US that started in 2002 after the annulment of his marriage to Carmina Villarroel. It can also be recalled that Robin had a hard time accepting that reality. But things are different now. Robin has whole-heartedly embraced BB’s decision after six years of giving the latter the cold shoulder treatment.

Asked how Robin and Rommel are treating BB nowadays, the latter replied, “I think, they treat me in the same way they treat other women. No special treatment whatsoever and I prefer it that way kesa naman OA ang trato nila so for me OK lang, very normal ang treatment nila sa kin.” 

Does Robin feel comfortable with BB’s lady-like manner? 

“’Yung kilos wala na yun hanga nga kami lagi naming tinitignan ang balakang n’ya; lagi naming pinag-uusapan ni Kuya Rommel kung paano n’ya nagawa yan kasi dati mag-singlaki ang bewang namin.”

There was even a time, Rommel adds, when he and Robin were caught by surprise when they saw BB coming out of the dressing room in a braless outfit. “Merong isang sequence (on the show) na hindi s’ya naka-bra e nakabakat (nipples),” recalls Robin, “so napatingin kami at nag-tuturuan kami ni Kuya Rommel kung sino ang mag-sasabi.”

But if there is one thing that BB doesn’t want to talk about inside their house (at least not yet), it is about matters that concern the affairs of the heart.

“Up to now, I don’t think they are ready to hear me sharing about my love life. Yes, they (Robin and Rommel) have already accepted me 100 percent but I think di pa nila ma-gets yung love life. Even my sister, so it’s sad that I cannot open up about my crush. But I know when I fall in love, wala silang magagawa. Tao lang tayo e na magkakaroon talaga ng love.”

(2 ½ Daddies also stars Celia Rodriguez, Alice Dixson, Dennis Padilla, Francine Prieto, Albert Bruno and Baby Rania, son of RJ Padilla and granddaughter of Rommel.)