It seems like everything is going well between Dennis Padilla and his daughter, actress Julia Barreto - again.

The actor confirmed that Julia reached out to him on his 62nd birthday, Feb. 9. Dennis held back tears as he recalled receiving her text message.

"Noong birthday ko, nagulat din ako noong gabi na, na-receive ko ‘yung text. Naisip ko, number pa pala niya ‘to. Hindi ko inaasahan makatanggap kasi ilang years na rin,” Dennis said during an ambush interview at the "When Magic Hurts" media conference in Luxent Hotel, Quezon City on Feb. 24. 

(On my birthday, I was also surprised that night, when I received the text. I said to myself, this is still her number. I didn't expect to receive the text because it's been a few years) 

Dennis received a short message from Julia on his birthday, not just a simple greeting.

"Nagsend siya ng short message, tapos sumagot ako, tapos meron din ako short message. Tapos yung short message ko, ang sinagot niya sa akin ay yung icon na heart," Dennis added. 

(She sent me a short message, and then I replied, I also sent a short message to her. After my short message, she just responded to me with a heart emoticon) 

The press was awestruck as Dennis shared his sweet moment with Julia, but the conversation didn't continue the following day.

Dennis hopes Julia's sweet gesture continues as he reconnects with them.

"Actually, bigla na lang tumulo ang luha ko, while having seeing the text. That was sweet. Para bang tagos sa puso yung… mararamdaman. That’s why I’m so happy. I hope makapag-dinner or lunch kami soon", Dennis added. 

(Actually, I suddenly started to cry, while having seen the text. That was sweet. My heart feels overwhelmed after our short conversation. That's why I'm so happy. I hope we can have dinner or lunch soon

As Dennis embarks on a new chapter with Julia and her siblings, he has made a conscious effort to privately communicate with his children, hoping they will respond to him on special occasions.

"I think I should talk to her more privately kasi hindi ko alam kung ang mga numbers nila ay existing pa… Sana kapag nagge-greet ako kapag special occassion, sana sumagot," Dennis said. 

(I think I should talk to her more privately because I don't know if their numbers still exist... I hope when I greet them on a special occasion, I hope they answer) 

Working with Mutya and Beaver 

After spending a considerable amount of time in the industry, Dennis mentioned that working with Mutya and Beaver was a breath of fresh air for him.

"Naeexcite ako gawin yung pelikula kasi si Mutya yung makakasama ko dito, very heartwarming yung eksena namin dito especially yung time na lumalaki siya," Dennis said. 

(I'm excited to do the movie because Mutya will be with me in it, our scene here is very heartwarming especially the time when she is growing up) 

The actor also added that kids helped him use TikTok and Instagram filters during breaks on the set. 

"Dahil sa mga batang ito, natuto akong maglagay ng filter sa instagram, tapos natuto akong gumamit ng viber, natuto din ako mag-Tiktok. Kaya nung magkakasama na kami feeling ko Gen-Z na rin ako," Dennis said. 

(Because of these kids, I learned to put a filter on Instagram, then I learned to use Viber, and I also learned to use Tiktok. So when we got together I felt like I was Gen-Z too) 

The R=romantic comedy film "When Magic Hurts" follows the story of a docile young guy (Beaver) and a miserable young girl (Mutya) stumble upon each other in the breathtaking mountains of Atok, Benguet and find comfort mutually with the help of love and magic.

Aside from Dennis, also joining the cast are the new faces of Star Magic - Mutya Orquia, Maxine Trinidad, and Beaver Magtalas. With Ms. Claudine Barretto, Angelica Jones, Archie Adamos, Soliman Cruz, Pantene Palanca, Aileen Papin, Mohaira Sanama, Julian Roxas, Denna Bautista, Whitney Tyson, Blumark Roses, Cassie Kim, Josie Tagle, Kris Valdellon, Quia