Sen. Robin Padilla received praise from Viva's big boss, Vic Del Rosario, after a homecoming at Viva Films, where he just finished the upcoming film "Bad Boy 3: Bagani."

"Welcome ka rito anytime. Pati picture mo nasa harap ko everyday. Nagpapasalamat ako na yung binilin ko sa'yo na huwag gagawin yung hindi dapat gawin ay ginagawa mo. I'm proud of you. (You're welcome here anytime. I even have your picture in front of me every day. I'm grateful that you're doing what I told you not to do. I'm proud of you)," Boss Vic told Robin during a media conference in Pasig City recently.

Robin, who just celebrated his birthday on Nov. 23, said the Viva homecoming is the best birthday gift so far.

"Ito na ang pinaka-birthday gift ko dahil wala akong pinapangarap kundi ang mabalik sa opisina ng Viva Films. Dito ako masaya. Ito na ang greatest birthday gift ko. (This is my greatest birthday gift because I dream of nothing more than to return to the Viva Films office. I am happy here. This is my greatest birthday gift)," said the senator.

Robin revealed that he has just secured a five-project deal with Viva, promising a thrilling new chapter in his creative journey. He expressed gratitude to the film company for its support, even though he is now a politician.

"Sabi nga nila noong naglabas ako ng SALN, "Ang dami mo namang pera P200 million. Sabi ko, 'Huh! Ginawa akong bilyonaryo ni Boss Vic. Pero noong naging pulitiko ako naging milyonaryo na lang ako. (They said when I released my SALN, "You have a lot of money, P200 million. I said, 'Huh! Boss Vic made me a billionaire. But when I became a politician, I just became a millionaire)," the actor-politician said.

Boss Vic added, "I am happy at bumabalik pelikula ang Robin Padilla. Matagal ka ng hinihintay ng tao. (I am happy that Robin Padilla is returning to the movies. People have been waiting for you for a long time.)"

Robin said he misses the action-comedy genre in local showbiz. "Masyadong serious ang mga action movies ngayon. Tapos pag comedy, comedy lang. Nawala yung action-comedy movies. (Action movies these days are too serious. Then, when it comes to comedy, it's just comedy. Action-comedy films are gone.)"

Aside from Boss Vic, Robin was also welcomed by Vincent Del Rosario, President and COO, Viva Communications, Inc.

Robin said Boss Vic really wanted to shoot "Maging Sino Ka Man Part 2."

"Panahon na para gawin natin ang 'Maging Sino Ka Man Part 2,' sabi ni Boss Vic. Sabi ko sige po basta ba pumayag si ma'm (Sharon Cuneta). Sabi niya, 'Kakausapin natin si Sen. Kiko (Pangilinan). (It's time for us to do 'Maging Sino Ka Man Part 2,' said Boss Vic. I said, "Okay, as long as ma'm (Sharon Cuneta) agrees." She said, 'We'll talk to Sen. Kiko (Pangilinan)," the action star said.

Robin added, "Iba ang energy ng pelikulang Pilipino. Masaya. Umpisa pa lang ng araw ninyo ay nandun na kayo para mag-entertain. Sa pulitika iba. Pumapasok ka pa lang problema na agad. Kaya magkaiba sila. Pareho lang sila na malapit sa tao. Pero iba ang saya sa showbiz. (The energy of Filipino films is different. It's fun. You're there to entertain from the moment your day starts. It's different in politics. You just walk in and you already have problems. That's why they're different. They're both close to people. But the fun in showbiz is different.)"

The last time Robin appeared in a movie was in 2022 for the film "Maid In Malacanang."

"Ang 'Bad Boy 3' ay 2014 pa naumpisahan. Two years ago, nagkita kami ni Boss Vic sa anniversary ng Viva. Binanggit niya kung kailan ko raw tatapusin ang 'Bad Boy 3' kasi ang tagal na. Kaya nahiya na ako at itinuloy ko na. August last year kami nagresume pero nahirapan pa rin kami sa schedule. Noong natapos na namin, na-inspire ako at nakita rin ni Boss Vic. Sabi niya ituloy-tuloy na natin ito. Gumawa na tayo ng mga project. (Bad Boy 3' started in 2014. Two years ago, Boss Vic and I met at Viva's anniversary. He mentioned when I would finish 'Bad Boy 3' because it had been a while. So I was embarrassed, and I continued. We wrapped up in August last year, but we still had scheduling issues. When we finished, I was inspired, and Boss Vic saw it too. He said, 'Let's continue this. Let's start doing projects.')," Robin said.

On younger actors, Robin said he would love to work with actors Daniel Padilla, Coco Martin, and Ruru Madrid. "Gusto ko uli makasama si Cesar Montano at Ian Veneracion. (I want to be with Cesar Montano and Ian Veneracion again.)"

Robin also talked about how his wife, Mariel Rodriguez, supports him in his showbiz comeback. He was touched when Mariel turned down a television project so that she could take care of him and their children.

"Maaga siya nagigising kasi hinahatid niya ang bata sa school. Sinusundo niya pag-uwi. Talagang nakatutok siya. Mabigat yung nangyari sa loob niya dahil mahal niya talaga yung pag-host. Kaya lang nanay siya. (She wakes up early because she takes the children to school. She picks them up. She's really focused. It was tough for her when she turned down the project because she really loves hosting)," he said.

Robin said it won't be long before the next bad boy of Philippine cinema comes along, a title which he earned at the peak of his career.

Binoe said he wanted to transfer the title of Bad Boy of Philippine Cinema himself to another actor, not the people. He recalled an incident when the title was transferred to him by the late action star Ace Vergel.

"Gusto ko ako ang maglilipat ng title. Noong nabubuhay pa si Kuya Ace Vergel, may ganun din kaming eksena. Hindi talaga ako ang tunay na bad boy. Nagkaroon lang sila ng problema ni Boss Vic," Robin also said. "Minsan nagkasalubungan kami. Hinarang niya ako. Sabi niya, 'Ikaw ba si Robin Padilla?" Sabi ko, 'Opo!' Sabi uli niya, 'Pinsan mo si Daboy?' Sabi ko, 'Opo!' Sabi niya, 'Buti na lang pinsan mo si Daboy. Okay. Ikaw na ang Bad Boy. Ganun din ang gusto ko. Pasa-pasa lang naman yan eh. Ang unang Bad Boy si Jose Padilla Jr. Tapos kay Joseph Estrada to Ace vergel. Tapos ako. (I want to be the one to transfer the title. When Kuya Ace Vergel was still alive, we had that same scene. I wasn't really the real bad boy. He just had a problem with Boss Vic. One time we met. He stopped me. He said, 'Are you Robin Padilla?' I said, 'Yes!' He said again, 'Daboy (Rudy Fernandez) is your cousin?' I said, 'Yes!' He said, 'Good thing Daboy is your cousin. Okay. You're the Bad Boy. That's what I want too. It's just a passing of the baton. The first Bad Boy was Jose Padilla Jr. Then Joseph Estrada, to Ace Vergel. And then to me.)"

When asked who should be the next Bad Boy of Philippine Showbiz, Robin answered, "Si Daniel (Padilla) siyempre. (Of course, Daniel Padilla.)"

Robin said many fans have supported his call for Daniel to be the next bad boy of showbiz. "Noong mga panahon na yun, in-love pa siya. Pag-ibig pa ang priority niya un. Tapos gumawa na siya ng 'Incognito.' So may chance na ngayon. (At that time, he was still in love. Love was still his priority. Then he made 'Incognito.' So now he has a chance."

"Meron siyang angas. Dapat natural ang angas. Kasi kapag inutos lang ng director, medyo may kalungkutan yun. Dapat natural. (He has arrogance. Arrogance should be natural. Because when the director orders it, it's a bit sad. It should be natural)," said Robin, when asked why Daniel should be the next Bad Boy of Philippine Cinema.

Produced by Viva Films, "Bad Boy 3: Bagani" will be available to stream soon.