As tough as a rock

Carlo J. Caparas’ Totoy Bato is the Pinoys’ answer to Hollywood’s Cinderella Man. But Carlo was years ahead in telling a boxer’s struggles and triumphs. Totoy Bato was first read and seen in a komiks series before making its way to the big screen via the movie Durugin Si Totoy Bato topbilling, Fernando Poe Jr.

Stepping into the shoes of the brown Cinderella Man for the small screen is Robin Padilla. GMA 7’s upcoming action-drama series Totoy Bato is Robin’s first TV project after the successful Joaquin Bordado showing him at his best and in jaw-dropping stunts and fight sequences.

“Yes,” replies Robin when asked if he watched FPJ’s movie about a tough third-class boxer. “(FPJ) is my idol. Doing Totoy Bato is a way of showing my respect to him. It is also sort of my remembrance and tribute to him. It’s an honor to do this project. That’s why I fought for it.”

“Totoy Bato should be treated as a film,” adds the industry’s most active action superstar. “We have to present a good story; show our concern and give effort to it to reciprocate the support the public has given us.”

How did Robin look the part?

“I ate a lot as opposed on Joaquin Bordado which required me to lose weight and to go on a diet,” shares Robin who has to add some poundage. “I had to eat more because there was a certain weight I had to achieve.”

Robin scrimped on camote, banana and corn when they shot scenes at Mt. Pulag, Benguet for the TV series and its documentary. According to Robin, he had to undergo a high-altitude training which took him eight hours climbing the mountain and four hours descending it.

It’s not surprising why director Mac Alejandre has only kind words for Robin.

“He is the type of actor who takes acting and his roles seriously,” says Mac of Robin, who worked with the director on Asian Treasures and Joaquin Bordado. “He has been training for his role. That includes going to the mountains of Baguio and Benguet. I had long sessions with him talking about the best way to attack and interpret the character. His dedication to his work is impeccable. He had a complete psychological, mental and physical preparations. He is admirable. To be in character, the actor has to be physically aligned and Robin did just that. He required so much from himself.”

Robin’s devotion to his craft is exciting for any director, adds direk Mac, and is also infectious.

“It influences the people he works with to go beyond the limit,” the director says. “I remember him say, ‘I will treat Totoy Bato as if it is my last project.’”

With that, televiewers can only expect the best from Robin, a creative person who does his homework at home and comes to the set prepared. You can only see and appreciate it when you see him work.

Is Totoy Bato faithful to the movie version?

Yes, it is loyal and accurate to the essence of the major characters and story, says direk Mac. There are also adjustments given the medium and the technology to enhance it. But the triumph of the Carlo J. Caparas’ masterpiece lies on the characters which are accessible to everyone.

The TV adaptation is about Totoy (Robin), a quiet, brave and principled husband and father who tries his luck in Manila after regaining his land from the hands of greedy people. But his life in the city is not the success story everybody expects it to be. There, Totoy meets Coach Fredo (Eddie Garcia), a retired boxer and martial arts expert, who introduces him to boxing. The strict, grouchy coach will find a son in Totoy. Bringing out Totoy’s soft, romantic side is Anna (Regine Velasquez), his childhood friend and a successful singer.

Also in the cast are Ian Veneracion, Angel Aquino, Joonee Gamboa, Caridad Sanchez and Manny Pacquiao as himself.

What is Totoy Bato all about?

“It’s a story of a person who dreams of a peaceful, better life by coming to Manila from the province,” says Robin. “He has to be brave or bato (to survive and not get into any trouble).”