RJ AND Matt try very hard to step out of the shadow of their famous uncle.
Brothers Matt and RJ Padilla are trying very hard to step out of the shadow of their uncle Robin. “It hurts when people say we’re just riding on his popularity, or of our father’s, because we’re not,” says RJ, one of three children of actor Rommel Padilla and wife Annabelle.
Matt was the front man of the rock band Chimp of Friday until it disbanded two years ago. RJ appeared as the young Robin Padilla in the black comedy film “La Visa Loca” (2005), the TV series “Joaquin Bordado” (2007), and the drama anthology “Star Confessions” (2011).
RJ and Matt will soon be seen in separate drama series, “Apoy sa Dagat” and “Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw,” both on ABS-CBN.
Matt and RJ, and their half-brother Daniel, are also in the cast of the action film “Kuratong Baleleng,” with Uncle Robin in the lead role. Robin’s daughter Kylie, and niece Bella, are also in the cast.
Fashion influences
“I bought this fleece jacket in Hong Kong,” RJ says. “It reminds me of my idol, singer Chris Brown. The Converse varsity jacket is from Daniel. He gave it to me last week. I
FOR A clean look, he goes for plaids.
was checking out his jackets at his place and he said I could have it.”
He adds: “I wanted a hooded leather jacket because I saw (American rapper) Eminem wear one. My sister Roanna bought this for me. My other leather jacket reminds me so much of the comic book character Wolverine. It’s from a good friend.”
RJ is also into plaid and striped button-down shirts. “I wear the checkered long-sleeves (Converse) when I want to look clean.”
“The white-yellow striped shirt is from my girlfriend,” he says. “The fitted plaid piece, which I always match with blue jeans and white Chuck Taylors, reminds me of my dad and Uncle Robin’s cowboy look.
HIS Eminem–inspired leather jacket
RJ hated wearing suits, until his talent manager, Betchay
Vidanes, had one made for him by Nat Manilag. “I used it for a pictorial last week. I felt like James Bond!”
Matt’s “band jacket” is a gray hooded trench coat from People Are People. “I use the other black jacket for war games. Airsoft is one of my favorite pastimes. I match the jacket with a pair of khaki cargo pants and tan boots.”
He said the gray suit is also by Nat Manilag. “Now that I’ve cut my hair so short, I imagine myself as Justin Timberlake doing ‘Sexy Back’ with this one,” he says.
Matt also wears to formal events a black H&M vest he bought in Hong Kong. “I always match it with a white polo shirt, which I stole from my dad’s closet and a red necktie, which my grandma (Eva Cariño
Padilla) bought for me. Sometimes I use a black pinstripe shirt if I don’t feel too confident and want to relax.”
Footloose
“This pair of black canvas rubber shows are by Vans,” RJ says. “It’s a gift from my Aunt Karla (Estrada, Daniel’s mom). I don’t like shoes in loud colors.”
RJ’S CHUCKS and his dad’s leather loafers
His white leather pair of Converse is also a favorite. “I use it again and again, especially with my Levi’s blue jeans. This pair of black leather loafers are actually dad’s. I use it for ‘Apoy sa
Dagat’ because the character I play there is a businessman.”
Most of Matt’s shoes are by Vans. “Rakista kasi ako,” he declares. “I wore nothing but Chuck Taylors before Vans became popular here in the
Philippines.”
Cool accessories
RJ LIKES squarish frames.
RJ avoids expensive or branded shades because he is afraid he might lose them.
“I bought this pair for P200 after a show at Star Mall in Muntinlupa,” says RJ. “I like frames that are squarish, like those that gangsters seem to favor. I want to be different, since everyone seems to be into Aviator shades these days.”
“Brand isn’t important to me,” Matt says. “I just want a relaxed look.”
RJ volunteers: “This G Shock watch is a gift from Daniel. I remember Eminem wearing one exactly like this. I like the brand because of its youthful styles.” He stressed, “I feel old when I wear more dressy ones.”
RJ is also into wearing fedoras on the beach. “I hide my messy hair with it. I often use a black corduroy cap, a gift from Papa two years ago.”
The (herringbone tweed) cap, which he calls his “Palos” hat, was a gift from his girlfriend.
“This gray beanie is from RJ. He got it in Hong Kong. This was his Eminem bonnet,” says Matt. “The blue baseball cap I’m wearing is actually from my cousin Macky.”
Fave gadgets
RJ’s Beats Mixr headphones are always blaring with dance music, especially when he’s traveling. “If I want to feel energized, I play music by Eminem and Limp Bizkit. I listen to Bob Marley and other reggae tunes if I want to relax.”
Matt enjoys listening to party sounds with his headphones, Beats by Dr. Dre.
MATT enjoys listening to party sounds with his headphones, Beats by Dr. Dre.
RJ owns a BlackBerry Curve which is “my connection to my parents.”
Matt says he used to be addicted to online games. “I spent long hours in Internet cafes. I got over it when I bought my iPad 2. I like its army green case.”
Matt traded his BlackBerry phone and iTouch for his
iPad 2. He now uses a Cherry Mobile phone—a gift from his Aunt Karla.
(E-mail the author: mcruz@inquirer.com.ph)
Photos by Jim Guiao Punzalan