Action star and senator Robin Padilla is making a highly anticipated return to showbiz with projects under a new partnership between Viva Films and his own RCP International Productions.
Senator Padilla recently signed the contract just a few days before celebrating his 56th birthday. He called the deal his “greatest birthday gift.”
“This is my ultimate birthday gift because I don’t dream of anything else but to return to Viva. I’m happy here. This is my greatest gift. Thank you,” the senator said in the vernacular, expressing his gratitude to Viva Entertainment COO and chairman Vic del Rosario Jr.
Del Rosario welcomed him back warmly and expressed that the partnership is the start of more meaningful collaboration between them.
“This is your world, and you’re welcome at Viva anytime. Your picture is right in front of me every day, so I’m thankful that what I entrusted to you—to not do what’s wrong—you’re following. I’m proud of you,” he said.
The first project under the collaboration is Bad Boy 3, which will be available on Netflix. Padilla said he resumed shooting after being encouraged by Del Rosario.
“I got emotional. I said, ‘Okay, Boss, I’ll continue it.’ So we resumed shooting around August of last year,” he recalled.
Padilla also revealed plans to revive action-comedy films, a genre he feels has been missing and deserves renewed attention, as most production companies no longer focus on it.
“I missed the humor because action nowadays has become too serious. Even comedy is separated from action. The combination of action-comedy that we used to have is gone,” he said.
As part of his return to Viva, the senator said sequels to past hits such as Maging Sino Ka Man (1991) and Ang Utol Kong Hoodlum (1991) are on the agenda.
“Boss Vic really wants to do Maging Sino Ka Man Part 2. He said, ‘It’s time for you to do it.’ I said, ‘Okay, as long as Ma’am Sharon [Cuneta] agrees.’ He replied, ‘We’ll talk to Senator Kiko [Pangilinan],’” Padilla added.
