I witnessed a barrage of flashing lights as I entered the studio. A photo shoot for the BUM Equipment clothing line was going on. There were many people, holding cameras and taking pictures of a boy against a white backdrop.

 

After a few minutes, that boy, clad in white T-shirt and jeans, came up to me and my friend, June, and introduced himself as Daniel Padilla.

 

The 17-year-old actor, who starred in the “Princess and I” teleseries, seemed very down-to-earth, amiable and friendly as he allowed me to record the interview.

 

It was amazing that at a very young age, he has been able to do much: record an album entitled “Hinahanap-Hanap Kita,” star in TV shows, be part of a band called Parking 5, and become an endorser for a clothing line.

 

All in all, his life story may serve as a reminder to the youth that age does not define talent, and that one must always remain humble when dealing with fame and popularity.

 

How are you?

 

Okay lang. All good.

 

How’s your day been?

 

Nakakapagod.

 

What is it that most people don’t know about you? Any special skill or talent you have?

 

Kaya kong paikutin ’yong plates sa air.

 

What’s a day like in your life?

 

Hassle. Hectic. Super.  Hindi ako natutulog, so hindi ako nagigising. Kasi kunyari shooting is like 5 a.m., matatapos kami ng, like, 3 a.m. or 2. Tapos pagkadating mo doon sa hotel mo, kasi nasa Cebu ako kahapon, nag-shoot kami, nagsimula kami ng mga 7, tapos natapos kami madaling araw na rin, mga 2 or 1 tapos may flight ako ng 4, dating ako dito, shoot ako, tapos ayan iniinterbyu n’yo na ako—’yon, ’yon ang buhay ko. May movie kami sa Cebu.

 

Why did you decide to pursue acting?

 

Eh ’yon na ’yon eh, siyempre ’yong magulang ko, parehong parents ko, parehong actors, kaya saan ka pa pupunta, ’di ba? At saka syempre sa dami-dami ng gustong maging artista, nandiyan ka na, bakit aayaw ka pa? Kaya ayon.

 

So how do you find time to balance academics and acting career?

 

Inuuna ko muna ’yong acting. (Laughs.)  Hindi, loko lang. Actually nag-stop muna ako kasi nag-acting muna, pero ’pag may time na, mag ho-home school na.

 

‘Mas thrifty’

 

What are the perks of being an actor?

 

Syempre meron ka pera. Tapos puwede mo nang mabili ’yong mga gusto mo. Pero ’pag nasabi ko na rin sa sarili ko, sa experience ko, ngayong may pera ka na, mas nagiging wise ka na. Marunong ka na kung bibilhin mo o hindi, ’di kagaya dati ’pag  school ka lang, everything you want, gusto mong bilhin ng bilhin, ’di ba? ’Pag meron ka na, parang huwag na sayang naman ’di ko naman magagamit, ganon.

 

Parang you become more thrifty?

 

Yeah.

 

Who are the people who inspire you to keep pushing forward in your career?

 

’Yong mga supporters, syempre. Pangit naman siguro kung tinigilan mo bigla, ’di ba?

 

You’ve been an endorser for Bum Equipment clothing since 2011. What do you wear for casual clothing?

 

Ano sa tingin mo?

 

Ah, T-shirt and jeans?

 

Yeah, ’di ako ’yong masyadong maporma like polo, shirt. More on sobrang simple na T-shirt, skinny jeans, Converse or Vans, or kahit ano basta skater shoes. Basta kahit ano lang, ’yon na.

 

So are you planning to have your own clothing line?

 

Tingnan natin! Kung okay din naman, masaya, ’di ba? (Note: Bum Equipment has a Daniel Padilla Collection whose designs are inspired by his personality, with lots of basic blacks and whites.)

 

So what do you do on your free time—like what are your hobbies?

 

Stay lang sa bahay. Kasi kakaalis mo, ma mi-miss mo ’yong bahay eh. Tapos pagdating after, tatawagan ko lahat ng mga kaibigan ko, mga ka-bandmates ko, papuntahin ko sa bahay, tapos ’yon, PS3, Xbox, tugtog ganyan, ’yon ang trip namin.

 

How do you handle all the fame, popularity and attention? When you go out, there are a lot of fans and people who just admire you. So how do you handle that?

 

Uhm, wala naman, parang okay lang. Ano lang, basta cool ka lang sa mga nangyayari. Magpasalamat ka na lang at may nagpapa-picture sa ’yo. Kasi darating din ’yong araw na wala, ’di ka na rin kilala, ’di ba?

 

What have been your trials, struggles or problems on the way to the top, in your rise to fame?

 

Ako ang problema ko lang ’yong health ko lang, ’yon lang naman.

 

I checked your Twitter profile and I saw that you’re a bassist for Parking 5 band. So what’s it like to be in the band?

 

Saya! Sobrang saya. Gusto ko talagang maging rock star baling araw. Super rock star, alam mo ’yon?  ’Di ba kahit ’yong mga rappers ngayon gusto nilang maging rock stars? Parang you’re living the life na pag rock star, eh.  Tumutugtog ka na, tapos ang saya n’yo pa, kasama mo barkada mo, kabanda mo, kahit saan-saan kayo pumupunta, tapos successful ka pa.

 

Do you have any plans for college after acting?

 

Yeah, gusto kong mag-architect eh.

 

The “Princess and I” series just ended. What are the other TV shows you’ve signed up for?

 

Ngayon wala pa, pero I think magkaka-teleserye kami after the movie. Wala pang title ang movie.

 

What is your motto? Any inspiring words or advice you can give readers?

 

Motto ko sa buhay ko? Eto, totoo ito, ha, walang gumawa nito: kung ayaw mo sa akin, ’di huwag. (Laughter.) Eh ’yon talaga, seryosong para sa akin. Nasabi ko rin sa mga kaibigan ko iyon, eh, parang kung ayaw mo sa akin, eh ’di ’wag, wala akong pakialam. Bakit ko ipipilit ko sarili ko sa iyo, ’di ba?

 

’Yon naman eh, kung artista ka, kung ayaw sa iyo ng tao, tanggapin mo kase ’di mo naman mape-please lahat. May mga kaibigan tayo, may mga bashers din tayo sa buhay.