All prospects up for Robin Padilla

Jodi Sta. Maria (left) and Robin Padilla

When Robin Padilla began his stellar performing career decades ago, he stood out in the madding throng of other show biz newbies by pointedly coming across as a “bad boy.”

The overtly tough and nasty projection did work, making viewers react with a unique mix of excitement and consternation.

This Robin was no sweet songbird, harking more clearly back to earlier “bad boys” and rebels of the movie world, like James Dean and Al Pacino.

On the local movie scene, however, Robin was one of a kind—unless you recalled the even earlier likes of Johnny Monteiro and Oscar Roncal.

Thus, his first action starrer appealed strongly to young, streetwise and disenfranchised viewers, especially because Robin played downtrodden and rebellious characters just like them.

Later, however, after a decade of churning out tough and nasty actioners, the actor’s handlers saw the need to vary and expand his performing range, adding gung-ho comedy to the mix, especially in his popular rom-com action costarrers with the stellar likes of Sharon Cuneta.

Even later, Robin went all-comedy in the satirical film, “La Vida Loca,” which radically toned down Robin’s action persona in favor of comedy and pointed social satire, with bracing results.

As Robin continued to mature, his signature “bad boy” screen image saw other adjustments, like his occasional forays into program hosting, gamesmanship and judging duties in TV talent tilts, like his current show, “Pilipinas Got Talent.”

But, Robin’s most impressive show biz feat this decade was his hit comeback with Sharon in their 2017 reunion film, “Unexpectedly Yours.”

The comeback vehicle clicked with viewers because Robin and Sharon played age-appropriate roles, instead of just coming up with a role resuscitation of their movie love team of yore.

All told, we’re happy about Robin’s self-reinvention through the years, because his “bad boy” image had become too stereotypically limiting, and even irritating. His warmer and more upbeat projection these days is more open to new possibilities for his career.

For instance, his latest acting assignment is as one of Jodi Sta. Maria’s leading men (along with Richard Yap) in the new rom-com TV series, “Sana Dalawa ang Puso.” Let’s hope that his character in the show won’t hark too strongly back to his hit portrayal in “Unexpectedly Yours.”

Fact is, it’s Richard Yap who is being challenged by the new show to hustle and bustle harder to keep up with Robin’s proven gung-ho performance.

It’s a tall order for the heretofore suave and laid-back “maturing” star, but we trust that he’s up to it.

As for Robin’s other TV involvement, he’s less than a good fit for his talent-evaluation chores on “Pilipinas Got Talent,” due to his signature gung-ho persona and less than judicious reputation.

So, he’s got to work harder to prove that he has the “K” to accurately and objectively vet promising talents, and decide on which hopeful deserves to win and become a show biz star.

In general, however, due to his recent successes, 2018 should be a good year for Robin Padilla, local show biz resident rebel, who’s finally come in from the rough, tough and tumble—but still ready to rumble!