Totoy Bato | Robin Padilla | GMA-7

Since he started as an action star, people have always seen Robin Padilla in good shape—not too fat and not too thin. But what if he adds 50 more pounds in his weight?

This will be the goal of Robin Padilla for his next project for GMA-7, which is Totoy Bato. In fact, after doing his upcoming movie Sundo, the Philippine's prime action star will start gaining weight and having lean muscles for the TV adaptation of the 1979 movie Durugin si Totoy Bato, which topbilled the late King of Philippine Movies, Fernando Poe, Jr.


"Mahirap po 'yon," said the 160-pound action star. "Sabi nga po nung trainer ko, medyo masama daw ho 'yon, masama daw 'yong bigla. Kasi ang nangyari sa akin, kasi nagpa-slim ako sa Joaquin Bordado; 'tapos ngayon naman magpapalaki [para sa Totoy Bato], medyo ang katawan naguguluhan."

Despite this warning, Robin is confident to do it because he is sure that professional trainers would closely watch him.

He said, "Ako naman ay nakikitrabaho sa mga propesyonal. Ang humahawak ng katawan ko ay mga propesyonal naman so talagang pinag-aaralan. Hindi ito 'yong hulaan lang. Katulad ng pagkatapos ng Sundo, 'yong gagawin kong pelikula, dadaan muna ako sa general check-up, malalaman muna namin kung paano 'yong paraan ng pagpapalaki. Hindi kasi pwede 'yong bigla, magko-collapse tayo."

In the last quarter of the year, Robin might go to Australia not only to visit his wife Liezel Sycangco but also to train—through football or rugby.

"'Yon po ang sinabi sa akin ni Direk Val Iglesias," explained Robin. "Ang gusto niyang style ng fighting ni Totoy Bato, e, football, so pinagra-rugby niya ako. Baka sumama siya sa akin sa Australia kasi doon 'yong proper training ng rugby, e."

He even added, "Hangga't hindi ko nakukuha 'yong 200 lbs, hindi ako babalik dito. Kailangan makuha ko ho 'yon."

The 40-year-old actor is also aware that there are people who gained weight and are now having hard time getting back in their old shape.

"'Yon ang unang-una kong sinigurado sa trainer ko," said Robin. "[Tinanong ko], ‘Kaya mo ba akong paliitin ulit? Baka naman paglaki ko niyan, ganun na lang din ako.' Sabi niya, ‘Depende 'yon kung ano ang ilo-load nating pagkain.'"

Robin would be following a high-protein diet, which his trainer advised to him, to get lean muscles. He said, "Kailangan lumaki ka pero hindi dapat fat, dapat protein lang para mas mabilis."

Can't they use a trick instead of really adding up some weight?

He answered, "Ayaw ni Direk Val. Gusto ni Direk Val Iglesias iba talaga. Kasi 'yong una kasing Totoy Bato, boxing 'yon, e. Ngayon, mixed martial arts na. Parang mapapanood natin na ang makakalaban natin dito iba-iba nang nasyon, e."

HONORED TO ACT AS TOTOY BATO. Robin said the he felt honored when he found out that he was chosen to be the lead star in the TV remake of Totoy Bato. One of the reasons is because this was played by the late FPJ.

"Isang malaking karangalan muli," said Robin. "Katulad na Joaquin Bordado kay Ramon Revilla po ito, ngayon naman kay Fernando Poe, Jr. Isang malaking karangalan. Siyempre, pasalamat muna tayo kay alamat, Carlo J. Caparas."

He also admitted that this privilege comes with pressure for him and for the whole production team.

"Mataas ang pressure kaya kami nahihilo. Ang katunayan niyan, may mga nagsasabi na dapat pelikula nga ang Totoy Bato. Ako naman ang nagsasabing kapag ginawa nating pelikula 'yan, mas mahihirapan tayong malagpasan ang pelikula.

"Mas magandang kahit na matapatan lang natin ang pelikula na TV tayo. Kasi mas mataas ang pressure ng pelikula. Mas gusto ko na TV siya kasi kahit paano walang kaming balak na malagpasan siya. Iyong mapantayan namin siya, masayang-masaya na kami."

Right now, the storyline of Totoy Bato is not yet finished. However, Robin is sure that he will be working with daughter Queenie, Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao, and veteran actor Eddie Garcia in this teleserye, which is set to premiere in the first quarter of 2009.