Rustom Padilla

Name: Rustom Padilla
Country: Philippines
Real Name: Rustom Cariño Padilla
Occupation: Actor

The 90s saw Rustom Padilla as one of the most popular leading men in local movies. The decade also saw him being displaced by the downtrend experienced by the film industry. “The arena for stars became the television stations,” said Rustom. “Actors like me were without a home studio. Suddenly, all things changed, and I was caught in between.”

He reinvented himself and surfaced as a game show host. The new persona, however, did not last. Rustom then left for the US and studied filmmaking.

“I’ve always wanted to direct films,” Rustom confided.

For three years, he relished the freedom that anonymity had afforded him. He lived alone, far from showbiz gossip that has continued to hound him after his failed marriage to actress Carmina Villaroel.

“I sorted out my problems by myself,” said Rustom. “I didn’t want to involve anybody else in my problems. I was the only one who could solve these problems anyway. I didn’t want Carmina to be involved in them. But she is the only person that I could talk to about my problems.”

There was a time that they still hanged out together even after their marriage was annulled. They would still bump into each other occasionally and still have common friends.

“I would always ask these friends to say hi to Carmina for me,” said Rustom.

He denied that he married Carmina only to shroud his real sexuality.

“At that time, I was truly and madly in love with her,” said Rustom. “Our marriage was not for show. It was very real.”

At 38, Rustom is planning another showbiz comeback. But this time, it would be behind the camera.

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