Robin hopes Rustom would still change his mind

MANILA, Philippines - Action star Robin Padilla is still wishing that his brother Rustom Padilla, who now goes by the name of BB Gandanghari, would still change his mind about getting a sex-change operation.

Last week, Gandanghari told ABS-CBN News that he is currently undergoing psychological consultations to fully prepare himself for a sex-change surgery.
Speaking on “KrisTV” on Monday, Robin said he still cannot stand seeing his brother dressed as a woman.

“Ang totoo ayaw ko siyang nakikita sa itsura niya ngayon. Hindi dahil ayaw ko siyang nakikita -- kasi ang magkapatid nagmamahalan iyan. Ngayon napanood ko siya, nasasaktan ako sa nakikita ko. Pero masaya naman siya kaya okay na rin. Pero para makita ko pa siya na ganun, medyo respetuhan na lang muna,” he told host Kris Aquino.

But even if he is not yet ready to accept the decision of Rustom, Robin stressed that he will still be there for his brother whenever he needs him.

“Siguro kapag dumating ang araw na sasabihin niyang ‘Tol kailangan kita,’ pupunta ako. Nandito ako ‘tol. Kapatid mo ako. Pero para suportahan ko pa ang mga ganung desisyon, hindi pa ako handa. Siguro naman may karapatan din akong sabihing hindi pa ako handa sa mga ganung desisyon niya,” he said.

Robin also appealed to his mother, whom he said was also surprised by Rustom’s decision, to talk to his brother about it.

“Si mama naman, sigurado nabigla iyon. Nagkabiglaan iyan sigurado. Kasi kami alam namin buong pamilya, hindi niya gagawin iyon kasi para sa amin, ano na iyon eh, parang lumagpas pa. Pero ermats baka naman makausap pa natin iyan. Palagay ko komunikasyon lang iyan. Baka magbago pa isip niya,” he said.

According to Aquino, she witnessed how Robin fought for Rustom when they were younger that’s why she understands where the actor is coming from.

“Nung mas bata kami kasi ang dami niyang nakaaway along the way defending his brother. So ako parang ngayon kapag naririnig ko siya, naiintindihan ko where he’s coming from. Sa dami naman ng bugbog ng inabot mo,” Aquino said.

Aquino, who is the former girlfriend of Robin, said he respects the action star for his mature stand about the issue.

“That’s very mature. There’s a really mature perspective na hindi ko kaya pero hindi kita pinagbabawalan. So huwag na lang natin pilitin na magsama tayo ngayon,” she said.
“In any family, ang sasabihin ko lang marami tayong differences. Sometimes it’s best to keep it private and to not impose your will on your brother or your sister but to respect it,” Aquino added.