Despite his roots in the Padilla clan of action stars, Daniel Padilla says he feels no pressure to live up to the family legacy. Instead, he’s focused on doing his best as he steps into a new chapter of his career with the action-packed drama series “Incognito.”
“Wala naman silang binibigay na pressure sa akin. Wala rin naman akong nararamdamang kaba or anything. I’m just doing my best. Kung ano man ang maging kinalabasan, that’s it,” Daniel shared during the show’s press conference.
Embracing a New Role
In Incognito, Daniel plays Andres Malvar, whom he describes as a man with “dugong Igorot, makatao, and a discharged scout ranger.” To prepare for the physically demanding role, he trained in muay Thai, basketball, and golf.
While action isn’t entirely new to Daniel, having dabbled in it during “La Luna Sang’gre,” he admits that Incognito offers a much more intense experience.
“Simula pa lang ng araw mo, adrenaline rush hanggang gabi,” he said, describing the physical and emotional demands of the project.
The challenge, however, has been rewarding:
“May mga stunts na hindi madali pero kapag nagawa namin, it’s very fulfilling. It’s still very new for me pero mukhang matagal kong gagawin ‘to.”
A Star-Studded Cast
Daniel credited co-star Ian Veneracion for convincing him to take on the project, which also features Richard Gutierrez, Maris Racal, Anthony Jennings, Kaila Estrada, and Baron Geisler. Directed by Lester Pimentel Ong, Incognito will debut on a streaming platform on January 17, 2025, followed by ABS-CBN’s iWantTFC on January 18, and Kapamilya platforms on January 20.
Living Up to the Padilla Name
As a member of a family that includes action legends like Robin Padilla and the late Rudy Fernandez, Daniel’s venture into the action genre feels natural. Yet, he remains grounded, carving his own path while honoring his family’s legacy in his unique way.