There might be no fanfare as he celebrates his 25th birthday on Sunday, April 26 just like in the previous years because of our current situation, not to mention that he also marks his 10th anniversary in show business this year. But avid fans of the one and only Daniel Padilla are surely anticipating for him to still provide a swooning, simple production number on ASAP Natin ‘To straight from his abode.
He may not be the type of celebrity who regularly updates his followers on social media regarding his shindigs and other activities, particularly now that we’re in the midst of a pandemic, yet he’s still able to delight and flutter us with his captivating, handsome photos we’ve found not only on his page, but around Instagram as well.
From being that lanky and timid teenager who first charmed us through his debut in the weekly series Gimik 2010, DJ, as what his loved ones and fans fondly calls him, incredibly evolved into a dashing and confident young man that many girls (and girls-at-heart) are crushing on.
However, it was not only his good looks and charisma that catapulted him to stardom and retained him in the limelight, for he’s also adored because of exceptional acting and singing flair and commendable influence as well. Let’s take a little trip down memory lane by revisiting his remarkable journey.
Despite being a scion of one of the most influential clans in the local entertainment scene and the son of renowned artists Rommel Padilla and Karla Estrada, Daniel is incredibly able to step out of the shadows of his prominent family and to make a name for himself.
Although many of his kin are in the industry, he admitted in one of her interviews that joining actually didn’t cross his mind, but it was their financial difficulties and the prodding of the late talent manager Douglas Quijano, who promised his mom to turn him into a star once he reached the age of 14, that fuelled him to pursue.
He was introduced as part of the Star Magic Circle Batch 17 alongside Julia Montes, Robi Domingo, Beauty Gonzales, Ejay Falcon, Andi Eigenmann, Albie Casiño, and his perennial loveteam-turned-real-life sweetheart Kathryn Bernardo.
Daniel indeed made it, as he’s able to snag his first-ever acting gig through a minor role in the weekly series Gimik 2010. He skyrocketed to immense fame when his team-up with Kathryn was born in 2012 due to the unmistakable chemistry they exuded in their notable stints in Princess & I. As KathNiel turned out to become among the most well-loved and most sought-after loveteams of their generation, Daniel’s profile also grew as they starred in a slew of primetime teleseryes and blockbuster movies and since then became an ASAP mainstay.
Aside from acting, he also ventured in the music scene as Star Music released his self-titled album on 2012, which spawned his rendition of the classic OPM hit “Hinahanap-hanap Kita”. Year 2013 was indeed a productive year for him after he was tapped to interpret the Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs entry “Nasa Iyo Na Ang Lahat”, was able to record his second album “DJP”, and was bestowed his first headlining concert Daniel: Live! held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on April 30, 2013. He then went on to release four more records and stage four more concerts in the succeeding years.
Throughout his decade-long showbiz journey, the 25-year-old also won innumerable recognitions and nominations from various award-giving bodies both here and abroad, such as the Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards (USA), Face of the Year Awards (Vietnam), World Music Awards (Monaco), Awit Awards, PMPC Star Awards, FAMAS Awards, GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards, Anak TV Awards, and EdukCircle Awards.
Due to his immense popularity and the achievements he snagged in the past 10 years, there’s definitely no doubt why he’s worthy to be hailed as the King Of Hearts! Happy birthday, DJ!