Daniel will marry before he’s 30

If and when he got married, Daniel Padilla said he wanted to have it on the beach (no explanation).

“Sana before I turn 30 ay mangyari na ‘yon. Ayoko nang masyadong patagalin pa.”

Daniel turned 25 last April 26 that means he has five years to prepare for that big event with, of course, his girlfriend Kathryn Bernardo who is 24 (last March 26).

The subject was casually brought up by Funfare last Tuesday night during a Zoom interview in connection with Daniel’s virtual concert titled Apollo: A Daniel Padilla Digital Experience slated on Sunday (Oct. 11) on KTX.ph., co-produced by ABS-CBN’s Star Events and Johnny Moonlight, Daniel’s own production house. (Tickets at P499 each.)

A few days ago, a photo of Kathryn in a wedding gown surfaced on social media, making people wonder if she and Daniel were up to something. Turned out it was a teaser for the sweethearts’ new ABS-CBN (Star Cinema) digital movie-series The House Arrest of Us (which is not a sequel to their 2018 movie The Hows of Us). For only P499, the 13-part The House Arrest of Us can be viewed via KTX.ph starting Oct. 24, with each episode dropping every Saturday.

His first solo concert after Daniel Live in 2013 and D4 in 2018, Apollo is so titled because, according to Daniel, since he was a kid he has always been fascinated by the moon.

“I would usually go home at night and that’s the only time I could watch the moon. People get their vitamin D from the sun. Ako naman, I get energy from the moon. I can’t explain it but ganoon talaga ako. The moon has a magical effect on me. When I look at it, I feel that there’s always hope at may bukas pang darating.”

Directed by Peewee Azarcon, Apollo will feature songs from the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, and alternative music, new wave, etc.

“I prefer old songs,” shared Daniel. “Maski noong bata pa ako, mahilig ako sa songs nina Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and others (of that era).”

Does Kathryn like the same songs?

“I’m also into rock ‘n’ roll music and Kathryn likes ballads, mga standards. Her favorite is Michael Bublé and I introduced her to old ballads. Dun kami nagka-sundo.”

Their theme song is the Beatles’ Here, There and Everywhere.

Asked what song he would choose if he were to court Kathryn again and serenade her, Daniel thought for a while. “Give me a minute. Yes, Panalangin by APO (Hiking Society).”

He readily obliged when requested to sing a line from the song: Panalangin ko sa habang-buhay, makapiling ka, makasama ka, ‘yan ang panalangin ko...He could have sung the whole song but quit laughing. The rest of the lyrics were meaningful, as if coming straight from Daniel’s heart: At hindi papayag ang pusong ito, mawala ka sa’king piling, mahal ko iyong dinggin. Wala nang iba pang mas mahalaga sa tamis na dulot ng pag-ibig natin dal’wa. At sana nama’y nakikinig ka kapag aking sabihing minamahal kita…

The KathNiel fans would be very happy if Daniel sings that song on his Oct. 11 concert.

“The new normal way of holding a concert is somewhat difficult,” mused Daniel who was on his first rehearsal during this interview. “Ibang-iba. I will miss the presence of my fans dahil sanay ako na nandyan sila sa audience. But I will do my best to make them feel energized. I know that I am not really a singer but I will give them a spiritually-uplifting experience.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)