It’s all in the dynasty
MANILA, Philippines - Like ancient China, Pinoy pop culture is ruled bydynasties — families with such a strong hold on power that they pass it on from generation to generation. We see these dynasties everywhere, from politics to business. But it’s in the weird and blinding world of showbusiness that dynasties really capture the public’s imagination.
Showbiz familes live in a world of larger-than-life egos and minute scrutiny. Their members play heroes on the big screen while their personal lives play out like telenovelas in the nightly news. The public is so invested in the goings on of these families that we become virtually part of them — privy to every birth and break-up, romance and airport rumble.
It’s difficult to imagine living in such a world, and even more difficult to imagine being born into it. But that’s the reality for the cover stars in today’s issue of Supreme — Daniel, Matt, RJ, Bela and Kylie. Their last names may be a little bit more familiar: Padilla. They’re nephews of the iconic action star, Robin, relatives of actors BB, Rommel, and Royette, and descendants of the film director Casimiro. Showbiz runs in their veins.
Family affair
We caught up with the Padilla kids at a press conference to promote their movie, Sa Ngalan ng Ama, Ina, at mga Anak. Robin leads the cast of the film. It’s a family affair. The film, which opens next week, deals with the organized crime syndicate, Kuratong Baleleng — an action-packed turn, most of all, for Daniel, the teen heartthrob of Twitter trend proportions.
The film has been years in the making, having started production even before Daniel’s career skyrocketed. In the trailer and poster for the film, Daniel has top-billing beside his uncle Robin, a move designed to get his enormous fanbase to see the movie. In the film, however, Daniel shares screen time with his half-brothers Matt and RJ and cousins Kylie and Bela. This is where reel becomes real for the next generation of Padillas — despite each other’s success, they were equals among themselves, getting along as relatives do, teasing each other, making one another laugh.
We asked them what the difference is between a showbiz clan and a normal family, and they couldn’t answer. Of course, unlike most of us, their family get-togethers involve press conferences and film sets. But this wasn’t top of their mind. “We are a normal family,†they seemed to say; this showbiz life being the only reality they know.
Weighted expectations
Watching the Padillas up close, one gets the sense of weighted expectations. They are very deliberate about their images and about the work that they do. Robin, for example, for his Supreme cover last year, sat us down for an afternoon meeting to discuss the concept for his shoot — the only actor to do this with us. He wanted to be involved in every aspect of the cover. Daniel, meanwhile, speaks in a tone and manner that nearly mimics Robin’s — a Padilla template, perhaps, that seems almost intentional. One senses the need to continue the family style.
Sa Ngalan ng Ama, Ina, at mga Anak is the pinnacle of the family’s efforts. Like the dynasties of ancient China and the structures they built to preserve their legacies, the Padillas have made this film in order to claim theirs. Totally conceptualized and produced within the family, Sa Ngalan seems to be their way of saying that they aren’t a typical famiy of celebrities. The Padillas see themselves as creators, filmmakers, artists — totally in control of their showbiz destinies.
Of course, time will judge whether the film holds up, and audiences next week shall judge for themselves whether it’s any good. But in it, we see the birth of a different kind of showbiz dynasty. With Robin at the helm, Daniel at the forefront, and Matt, RJ, Bela, and Kylie waiting in the wings, we see a clan that consciously veers away from being fodder for nightly showbiz news, and instead asks us to focus on what matters — their work.
