Dennis Padilla debuts as a director, wants to direct Julia in the future

By Archie Liao

It has always been Dennis Padilla’s dream to direct his first full length feature. After years of waiting, his dream has now come to fruition via “The Barker”. 

“Dream ko talagang makapagdirek ng action comedy pero hindi ko alam kung sino ang puwede kong maging bida. So, nagtanong-tanong ako. Nag-suggest din ang manager kong si June Rufino who’s with Viva. Tama naman na si Empoy ay may movie noon na “Bloody Crayons” at “Kita Kita”, so sabi ko, magandang follow up from horror comedy to romcom to action comedy, kaya merong The Barker,” he said. 

He is quite thankful for the chance and trust given to him by veteran journalist turned director and producer Arlyn dela Cruz to meg his dream project. 

“Dati kaming magkasama ni Direk Arlyn sa radio. Tapos um-attend ako noon ng isa sa mga premiere nights niya. Doon ko nabanggit na meron akong iskrip pero ibibigay ko lang ang story kung ako ang magdidirek. Sabi niya, it’s about time na magdirek ako. So, eto na ang first directorial job ko na produced ng Blank Pages at released thru Viva,” he recounted. 

It is common knowledge that hit star Empoy used to do sidekick roles to ‘bidas” prior to achieving his leading man status. 

In “The Barker”, it’s not only Empoy’s time to shine but also that of Atak's who plays the role of Empoy’s sidekick. 
  
“Nakaka-relate ako dahil nagsimula rin akong sidekick ni Robin at noong iba, so alam ko, kung paano itri-treat dahil galing ako roon. Ang dami ko ring natutunan sa mga directors ko like Ben Feleo, Felix Dalay at Eddie Rodriguez. So, iyong konti-konti kong natutunan noon, ina-apply ko ngayon,”he said. 

He said that he chose Empoy as his lead because he believes in the millennial leading man’s comic flair. 

“Simple lang siyang magpatawa. Very loving din siya sa kanyang nanay, sa kapatid at sa pamangkin na nakita ko. Sobrang humble niya dahil nga sa pagiging humble , hindi pa niya nararamdaman na bida siya,” he reasoned out. 

He also shared Empoy’s role in the movie.
  
“Barker siya ng jeep dito. Pag nagdre-dream siya, akala niya si Jason Statham siya. So, pag nananaginip siya, akala niya action star siya, pero in reality, barker lang siya na tagatawag ng pasahero sa jeep,” he described. 

Dennis also added that he wants to direct his daughter Julia Barretto in the future. 
  
“Oo naman. Siguro sa action comedy din, dahil alam ko siyang paglaruan. Balang araw siguro, kapag marami na akong nagawang action comedy, doon lang ako papasok sa drama. Mas gusto ko kasi ang action-comedy . Mas mahirap kasi siyang gawin kesa drama na mabilis gawin,” he pointed out. 

He also believes that the action-comedies are the next ‘in” thing in showbiz. 

 “Oo, babalik na siya dahil sunud-sunod na ang romcom. Kahit nga sa TV, patok ang “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” at “Alyas Robin Hood”. Kailangan lang natin ng magandang materyal. Kailangan din natin ng bagong putahe and I want to be a part of that “ uso,” he declared. 

He however, nixes the idea of joining politics again. 
  
“Magko-concentrate na lang ako sa pag-aartista at pagdidirek,” he remarked. 

For his next project, he wants to do an action comedy TV series that will also star Empoy. 

He also said that he wants to enlist the services of Janno Gibbs, not as a lead but as a villain or a mean character in his succeeding project. 

Aside from Empoy, “The Barker” also stars Shy Carlos, Atak, Wilma Doesnt, Noni Buencamino, Sylvia Sanchez, Jemina Sy and a lot more. 

“The Barker” hits theaters on October 25 in cinemas nationwide.