Daniel John Elago Ford was born on April 26, 1995, inManila, Philippines. He is the son of actorsRommel Padilla and Carla Ford (screen name:Karla Estrada); he is of quarter White American descent from his mother's side.[5][6][7] His mother raised Padilla as a single parent. Padilla is the nephew of action starRobin Padilla andBB Gandanghari, and has seven half-siblings from his father's side, including Matt Raprap Padilla,RJ Padilla, Roanna Padilla, and Red Padilla, and three younger half-siblings from his mother's side, JC Padilla, Margaret Planas, and Carmella Tenorio.[8] Carmela "Leila" celebrated her 18th birthday in a lavish party at Blue Leaf Pavilion,McKinley Hill.[9]Padilla met his siblings from his father's side in 2011 when he turned sixteen.[10]
Padilla lived for a year inTacloban and studied there (grade 4).[11] In 2014, he registered as anAMA Education System's student. Due to the tight schedule, he reportedly took the home study program ofUST Angelicum College years back.[12][13] Padilla finally shared his plans to go back to school after his mother,Karla Estrada, announced onMagandang Buhay that she wants all her children to finish their studies.[14]
Padilla was discovered by the late talent managerDouglas Quijano who pushed him to audition forStar Magic.[15] He was introduced to the media as a member of theStar Magic Circle 2013.[16][17] At a press conference in 2013, Padilla said he never imagined ending up in entertainment, but he thinks that he is in show business for a more important reason since his family went through financial difficulties.[18]
Career
2010–2012: Career beginnings and breakthrough
Padilla's first acting job was in 2010, in a minor role inGimik 2010, a remake of the hit 1990s Filipino youth-oriented show, in which he was paired withJulia Montes.[19] When he joinedStar Magic, he used the screen name Daniel Padilla, using the surname of his biological father.[20] He was next cast as Patrick Rivero in the youth-oriented show,Growing Up, where he first worked with co-starKathryn Bernardo.[21] He and Bernardo paired again in the soap operaPrincess and I (2012–2013), which became one of the most popular shows onABS-CBN.[22][23]
His film debut came in 2012 when he was selected to join Star Magic's 20th anniversary ensemble cast movie as Billy Fernandez in24/7 In Love (2012) with co-star Bernardo. They also had support roles in the filmSisterakas (2012).
Star Music released Padilla's self-titled debut album,Daniel Padilla on May 28, 2012.[24] The first commercial and digital single released from the album was ‘’Hinahanap-Hanap Kita’’ on April 20, 2012.[25] The album sold more than 10,000 copies in less than a week.[26] The album peaked at the No. 1 on the Odyssey Music & Video's nationwide sales reports (overall).[27] It went on to sell more than 30,000 copies and was certified double platinum on March 14, 2013.
2013–2014: Early success
In January 2013, Padilla interpreted a hit song forHimig Handog P-pop Love Songs (2013), "Nasa Iyo Na Ang Lahat".[28][29] The music video hit No. 1 on the 2013 PinoyMyx Year-End Countdown,[30] and was listed among the top three Filipino Trending Music Videos of 2013.[31] "Nasa Iyo Na Ang Lahat" won special awards at the Himig Handog finale night, including MOR Listener's Choice, Tambayan 101.9 Listener's Choice, Star Records CD Buyer's Choice, and MYX Choice for Best Video.[32]
On March 18, 2013, Padilla released "Kamusta Ka" as the lead single for his first full-length-studio album,DJP.[33][34]DJP peaked at number 1 on Odyssey Music & Video's nationwide sales reports (overall).[35]DJP album went platinum in less than 24 hours,[36][37] but listed onPARI, September 25, 2013, and went double platinum the next day.[38][39] Padilla held his first headlining concert, "Daniel: Live!" on April 30, 2013, at theSmart Araneta Coliseum.[40] It is the first concert to be streamed live viaSky Cable’s pay per view services in the Philippines.[41]
In 2014, Padilla interpreted a song for the Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs (2014), "Simpleng Tulad Mo". He was one of the youngest interpreters in the competition.[50] The music video debuted at number 2 and the next week hit No.1 for five weeks.[51][52] Padilla andYeng Constantino held a multi-national tour,Daniel Padilla Rocks with Yeng Constantino. It began in Dubai on April 10, 2014, continued to London and Rome, and ended in Milan on April 20, 2014, with four legs and shows in total.[53][54][55][56][57] While his second studio album,I Heart You was released on April 14, 2014.[58] The digital album peaked at No. 1 on the iTunes Philippines chart, the physical album reached the No. 1 spot on Odyssey Music & Video's nationwide sales reports.[59][60] Less than a month after its release,I Heart You achieved platinum record status[61] and was certified double platinum on May 8, 2015.[62][63][64][65]
Padilla marked his 19th birthday with a second sold-out concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on April 30, 2014.[66][67] "DOS" was another event at the Araneta Coliseum.[68] It was streamed live on SkyCable Pay-Per-View.[69] The concert also featured his own band Parking 5 before they disbanded in July 2014.[70][16][71] He recorded single, "Unlimited And Free" as the theme song of ABS-CBN Mobile in 2014.[72][73] On December 1, 2014, Padilla was given his own stars on the country's version of theHollywood Walk of Fame, the Eastwood Walk of Fame, located atEastwood City,Quezon City.[74][75]
In 2014, Padilla made three films: the action filmSa Ngalan ng Ama Ina at mga Anak with the Padilla clan,[76] his first historical, action drama;Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo; and the box office success,She's Dating the Gangster, with his co-star Bernardo.[77][78]
2015–present: Transition to adult roles and continued success
Daniel Padilla performing during hisMost Wanted Concert, 2015
Padilla, along with Bernardo, dubbed as "KathNiel", visitedDubai to hold a concert titled "Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo Live in Dubai" on January 1, 2015.[79] In February, Padilla was named Nickelodeon's Global Slime Star at the2015 Kids' Choice Awards, making him the first Filipino to receive such an award.[80][81] He was also in the Favorite Asian Act category but lost toIndonesian groupJKT48.[82][83]
Padilla's film with Bernardo in 2015 titledCrazy Beautiful You set three records, with P32 million, making it the first Filipino movie to register such a box office gross on its first day.[84] The film passed the P300million mark, and was the second film to earn $2 million in international screenings. It was listed in theTop ten grossing films of 2015 .[85][86][87]
Padilla returned to television on May 25, 2015, for the remake of the 90s soap operaPangako Sa 'Yo as Angelo Buenavista.[88][89][90] The finale episode raked in a 44.5% rating.[91] The show also top ABS-CBN's top selling international distribution programs.[92]
His third studio albumI Feel Good premiered onSpotify on June 7, 2015, before officially being released on June 13.[93][94] Padilla hand-picked most of its songs, and says it is his favorite album.[95] TheI Feel Good album reached gold status in less than a week.[96][97] The album peaked at number one on Odyssey Music & Video's nationwide sales reports.[98][99]
Padilla held his third major concert, "Most Wanted" on June 13, 2015, at theMall of Asia Arena.[100][101] He sang 14 songs in total, including songs from his latest albumI Feel Good. The concert streamed live via Sky Cable's pay per view services and also streamed live in the cinemas of malls inDavao,Cebu,Iloilo,Cabanatuan,Pampanga, andLegazpi.[102][103] The Most Wanted concert also could be played during a limited period from ABS-CBNmobile-powered mobile devices.[104] In the same year Padilla along with co-actor Bernardo released aChristmas album,Christmas Love Duets. The album peaked at No. 1 on the Odyssey Music & Video's nationwide sales reports (overall)[105] The title track, "Perfect Christmas", earned a nomination at the 29th Awit Awards for Best Christmas Recording.[106]
On November 27, 2016Star Music head Roxy Liquigan confirmed Padilla's fourth major concert dubbed "DJ’s Classic Back at Araneta".[119] It was supposed to be staged at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on February 5, 2017.[120] Due to his busy schedule, the concert was reset to October 2017.[121] Padilla released his firstcompilation album, titledDJ Greatest Hits, on December 19, 2016.[122][123] The album consists of eighteen songs; including sixteen of his all-time hits since the start of his music career, as well as two additional new songs, "Reyna Ng Puso Ko" and "Bastaw Ikaw".[124][125]
Padilla played the role of Jose Ibarra "Dos" Gonzales Jr. in the romantic-comedy filmCan't Help Falling in Love. His performance was praised by critics.[126][127]
ABS-CBN released the first trailer of Padilla and Bernardo's upcoming Philippine horror-action fantasy drama television series sequel to the 2010 fantasy dramaImortal,La Luna Sangre (Spanish forThe Blood Moon) in 2016.[128][129][130][131]
In 2018, thelove team of Daniel Padilla andKathryn Bernardo publicly disclosed the inception of their romantic relationship, revealing that they had been romantically involved since May 25, 2011.[135] However, on November 30, 2023, the duo made a joint announcement formally declaring the end of their romantic relationship.[136]
Business
On May 1, 2024, Padilla graced thesoft launching of hisco-owned "J Castles", in Purok 7, Barangay Gonzales,Tanauan, Batangas. The “first biggest immersiveamusement park," has two main zones with each having nine amenities, including Studio and Pop castles.[137]
In 2022, Daniel and his motherKarla Estrada opened aKFC fastfood in Tacloban. Padilla is also a co-owner of a branch Spice Grills, a Filipino food restaurant in Dubai, U.A.E.[139] In August 2025, he revealed and hoped to become a successful businessman.[140] He was into graphic design and invested his first business, the Barber Shop.[140]
Interest
Padilla is a motorcycle and car enthusiast.[141] He owns luxury cars.[142] In 2025, he bought a Toyota Land Cruiser 76.[142]
Public image
Padilla opened a Twitter account in July 2011. He was named among the top ten most followed Twitter accounts in the Philippines in 2016, with 5.4 million followers.[143][144] Padilla, along with his co-actor Bernardo, received awards at the Push Awards, where the most influential stars online were recognized by ABS-CBN entertainment website PUSH.com.ph.[145][146]
Philanthropy and endorsement
Daniel Padilla and two other Filipina singers were appointed by Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) as OPM junior ambassadors on June 7, 2013, at the Pagcor Grand Theater during the finals night of the "OPM@PAGCOR 3: The Search for the Next Total OPM Performer".[147] The aim is to encourage the youth to support and promoteOriginal Pilipino Music.[148] He is also brand ambassador of theBureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). In July 2017 Padilla along with Bernardo was appointed as Cybersmile ambassador to fight againstcyberbullying.[149]
Padilla was one of the artists who sent donations and gave a free concert at theQuezon City Memorial Circle on November 7, 2014, for the families of those who had been killed in theTyphoon Haiyan, known as the Yolanda typhoon. Padilla along with his mother were given a special award, the Bayani ng Haiyan ("Hero of Haiyan"), from the Haiyan Disaster Governance Initiative headed by film producer-actor Carlo Maceda, which stands as the communications director of the organization.[150] In the same month, Padilla was involved in another charity event. He led the star-studded basketball exhibition "Hoops for Hope" charity game at the court of the Mall of Asia Arena on November 16, 2014. The charity game aimed to help the children of World Vision Philippines and the Child Haus Foundation.[151]
In 2013, Padilla was listed as one of the biggest Filipino celebrity endorsers.[152] He became the celebrity face ofKFC in the Philippines.[153] Padilla was also selected as the brand ambassador of local fashion brandBench,[154] as well asPepsi,Nescafe,[155][156]Honda,[157] andOishi.[158] In 2015 Padilla was selected as the High Sierra endorser.[159]
Padilla has received awards and nominations in television, film and music. He won the26th Awit Awards for Best Selling Album of the Year.[167][168] Padilla won the2013 Myx Music Awards Favorite New Artist, and the second single from his album, "Prinsesa" (original: "The Teeth"), earned a nomination for Favorite Remake.[169][170]
Daniel Padilla at MOR Pinoy Music Awards 2016.
DJP won three awards at three different awards ceremonies including the27th Awit Awards, PMPC Star Awards for Music[171] and MOR Pinoy Music Awards for Best Selling Album of the year, Pop Album of the Year and Album of the Year respectively.[172] The show earned him 2013 ASAP Pop Viewers Choice Awards for Top Kapamilya TV Character.
She is Dating The Gangster andGot To Believe earned Padilla his firstGMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards for Teen King of Philippine Movies & TV,[186][187] 2015 PEP List Awards for Movie Star of the Year[188] and for the second time being nominated at the 2015 FAMAS Awards[189]Crazy Beautiful You earned him his second2016 GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards for Prince of Philippine Movies. Along with Bernardo Padilla he won the 2016 PMPC Star Award for Movie Love Team of the Year.[190][191] He won PEP List Awards for Movie Star of the Year[192] and received nomination at the 2016 FAMAS Awards.[193]
During Pangako Sa' Yo's run, Padilla received awards, such as Vietnam's Face of the Year Awards,[194] LionHearTV's RAWR Awards,[195] PUSH Awards,[196] ASAP Pop Teen Choice Awards,[197] and ALTA Awards.[198] He also earned his first nomination at the PMPC Star Awards for Best Drama Actor.[199]
^Born Daniel John Elago Ford, with his surname 'Ford' being adapted from his mother, Carla Elago Ford. His parents were unmarried, making him an illegitimate child of actor Rommel Padilla. Since Daniel John Elago Ford was born prior to the Republic Act No. 9255 (Acknowledgement of Paternity), which was enacted in 2004, his legal middle name and surname would be his mother's middle name and surname.[2]
^Lo, Ricky."Daniel & Kathryn: feeling close, feeling friends".The Philippine Star. Archived fromthe original on March 12, 2013.... Daniel who was initially a reluctant actor (making excuses so he wouldn't be made to attend auditions; discovered at age 12 by the late Douglas Quijano), ...
^Red, Isah V. (December 25, 2013)."Daniel Padilla is showbiz's toast".Manila Standard. Archived fromthe original on February 15, 2017.Born Daniel John Ford Padilla on April 26, 1995 to Robin's brother Rommel and former starlet Karla Estrada, --- When he joined Star Magic, he dropped John Ford, --- and used simply Daniel Padilla.
^Inquirer, Philippine Daily (June 26, 2012)."OPM Albums dominate overall chart".Philippine Daily Inquirer.Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. RetrievedFebruary 24, 2017 – via PressReader.
^"Daniel Padilla an old soul".Sun Star Cebu. April 16, 2013.Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. RetrievedFebruary 16, 2017 – via PressReader.
^Valisno, Jeffrey O. (September 5, 2014)."'Dahan-Dahan': The changing worth of music sales". Archived fromthe original on September 1, 2017. RetrievedFebruary 12, 2017...i heart you achieved platinum record status in less than a month after its release last April.
^"Padilla clan holds two grand premieres for new flick".The Manila Times. February 2, 2014. Archived fromthe original on February 13, 2014.ABS-CBN's "Primetime Teen King" Daniel Padilla (whose 2013 MMFF entry Pagpag was named the highest grossing horror movie in the festival's history).
^Belmonte, Maureen Marie (April 26, 2016)."Celebrating a Teen King: Five reasons Daniel Padilla is king".Push (in English and Filipino). ABS-CBN.Archived from the original on January 5, 2019. RetrievedApril 27, 2016....many are expecting the tandem to break their own box office record of P296 million for She's Dating the Gangster.
^Showbitz, Manila Standard (November 15, 2015)."Kathniel dominates Push Awards".Manila Standard. Archived fromthe original on February 13, 2017.Philippine showbiz's Teen Queen and King Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla led all the winners at the first-ever Push Awards held on Nov
^Manila Times (May 3, 2015)."Keeping Up With Daneil".Manila Times.Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 14, 2017 – via PressReader.
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