One of the finest action stars of his generation and even of today, Robin Padilla bares all his breaks in life and how these breaks led him to success.

In the press launch for his recent endorsement, SkyFlakes, Robin was so thankful for what he considered another “break” in his life. “Karangalan kong maging endorser ng SkyFlakes pagka’t kinalakihan ko ‘to. At di basta masabi lang, kinakain at ginagamit ko lahat ng iniindorso ko,” Robin said. He even recalled eating SkyFlakes while training “para magaan sa katawan.”

Also shown at the press launch is the second SkyFlakes TVC soon to air. The first TVC of Robin for SkyFlakes is currently dominating the air.

Working for a TVC shoot was also quite different for Robin. “Sa action, isang take lang, dito 25 takes ang inabot. Mukhang madali lang pero sa pagkakagawa, mabusisi. Pinag-isipan talaga ang commercial na ito at ang message ay para sa lahat. Inaalay ko ito sa lahat ng Pilipino,” he said.

Chester Cajucom-Uy, marketing manager for Biscuits, Monde Nissin, said of Robin as their newest endorser: “We picked Robin for three reasons: He is positive, inspiring and aligned with our idea that SkyFlakes allows each and everyone to continue everything… in the shortest possible break time.”

His ‘breaks’ in life

Among the other successful actors in the country, Robin or fondly called Binoe, is one testimony of a blessed person and a success story. He even dreamed of becoming a priest, a boxer, and a soldier, “pero nakontra lahat ng magulang ko. Mag-artista na lang daw ako,” he said. Starting out as a stunt man, he made sure that he will be noticed. And then it came – his long awaited break as an action star.

Binoe related his story: “Walang daya nung unang panahon [as stunt man], training talaga at kapag sinuswerte ka e break the bone o masusunog ka.” Binoe has been known for doing his own stunts resulting to a number of injuries like burns, breakage of his bones, and others.

He said, “Lahat ng stunt men nangarap mag-artista. Yung ibang stunt men pinabayaan na ang sarili. Wala na akong makuha. Kaya nga sa ‘Totoy Bato’ nailagay ko yung ating mga Olympians na wala na sa prime. Ideya ko na mabigyan sila ng break, nakakatuwa parang lahat gustong maging artista, nakikita ko ang enthusiasm nila.”

And his advice to those who are still waiting for the so-called big break, Binoe said, “Walang imposible sa taong handa. Hindi natatapos ang career ng isang tao sa pag-aaral, kahit ano pa yan. Di natatapos ang learning. Lalong tumatamis pag may natututunan. Kaya pag dumating ang break, dapat handa ka.” That’s why he is never closing doors for a possible international movie. “Handa po ako,” he added.

Life-long journey

Not all know that Robin went to India for three weeks to have his training there for his martial arts training called “Kalari Payt.”

He related, “Inspiring ang experience. Pinalalalim ko lang ang kaalaman ko. Lahat ng martial arts mahal natin yan. Napakalawak niya parang religion. Para sa akin, walang katapusan. Parang journey siya na mahaba.”

He also recounted his experiences with his dreams for the children he is helping through his non-sectarian, curriculum-based school, Light of Peace School (Paaralan ng Liwanag ng Kapayapaan) in his neighborhood in Fairview. Contrary to reports, he said that his school has the full support of DepEd.

“Pina-pa-stop sa neighborhood namin but not by DepEd. DepEd nga po mismo ang nagsabi sa amin na ‘wag kayong magsara.’ Sabi nila, ang paaralan ay walang sinuman ang makakapigil, yun ay karapatan ng bawat tao,” he proudly said. He also sees the fruits of his school of having 19 students then, and now 54. He said that the big breaks of these little children are yet to come.

A call from a true-blooded makabayan

One thing that Robin attributes to SkyFlakes is that it is a Filipino-made product. Asked what kind of break our country needs, he answered, “Sa tingin ko, kailangan nating balikan ang ating kultura pagkat nawala na talaga. Aminin natin, hindi natin alam kung sino tayo. Kailangan tayo ay napapagalaw dahil sa ating pagka-nasyonalismo, sa pagiging makabayan, hindi dahil sa kasikatan ng ibang tao. Kapag di tayo tunay na nagmamahal sa inang bayan, walang mangyayari. Sa ating bansa, hangga’t di nasosolusyunan ang pagkain, walang progreso. Naniniwala ako na ang taong busog ang magiging daan ng progreso.”

Robin also pointed out that 80 percent of Filipinos are living below poverty line. “Dapat siguro ay magkaroon ng programa ng tamang pagkain para sa Pilipino. Kung wala, bigyan na lang ng SkyFlakes,” he quipped.