The Longevity of Daniel Padilla

Daniel Padilla walks into the colorful set of acclaimed photographer Mark Nicdao one hectic Monday afternoon in Manila. The Britpop sound of the Arctic Monkeys plays loudly in the background, and Padilla wears a well-fitted dark suit, paired with a skinny blue necktie. Both men are pros at what they do, so it wasn’t a surprise that the first layout is done at lightning speed. Between setups, the crew fawns over the young man, whose commanding swagger, boyish good looks, and immeasurable charisma have made him one of the country’s most sought-after leading men. For any other 20-something thrust under the spotlight, this scenario would define the height of glamor. But for Daniel Padilla, a star of great caliber, it’s just another manic Monday.