MANILA, Philippines?If there?s anything that makes Robin Padilla sad and depressed, it?s the realization that eldest daughter Queenie has turned 18.

Not only that. It?s also the nagging feeling that she?s ?in love.?

?Sigurado ?yun. Para humingi ng kalayaan na gusto niyang makipag-date, ibig sabihin, yun (she?s in love). Nanghihinayang lang ako,? Robin tells the Inquirer after the launching of Talk ?N Text?s ?Tipid Sulit? campaign on Wednesday at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

Robin is the celebrity endorser of the mobile phone brand?s nationwide advocacy of inspiring individuals, organizations and communities to achieve success through ingenuity despite limited resources and financial hardship.

Asked who?s courting Queenie, Robin replies: ?Ang dami. Puro show biz nga eh. Yun ang aking kinalulungkot pa doon.?

Pressed on for more details, Robin says, ?Yung iba kilala, yung iba hindi. Ako, ayoko silang makilala.?

But he says it?s not because he looks down on his fellow celebrities. ?Ayoko lang daanan ng anak ko kung anong dinaanan ng asawa ko (Liezl). Impiyerno yun eh. Masakit,? he adds.

Robin pauses a bit and stares at a mineral water bottle he?s holding?like he?s reflecting special moments spent with Queenie.

He says he?s now experiencing the most difficult part of his life as a father.

?(I?m realizing that) yung wisdom ng pagiging ama ay hindi na kailangan ng anak mo. Parang masakit yun. Depression talaga yun na matindi. ?Yun ang malaking pagsubok. ?Yun ang isang bagay na hindi ko matanggap. Siguro kaya ako nagkasakit, kasi nga depressed ako,? Robin says.

Queenie spent her 18th birthday on July 17 without fanfare or a lavish debut party. What is remarkable is the sense of freedom that Robin gives her.
Like father

?Kasi nung bata ako, ayoko nang pinanghahawakan ang mga desisyon ko eh. Kaya naiintindihan ko rin sila. Kanino ba nila mamanahin yun?? Robin notes.

He swears he won?t meddle unless it?s necessary.

?Hangga?t hindi niya sinasabing, ?I want to talk to you,? hindi ako manghihimasok,? Robin says.
On her own
Queenie now lives separately from Robin at a house near his own place in Greenview Executive Village in Novaliches, Quezon City. He says he even has to ask for ?an audience? with his daughter whenever he wants to visit. ?Hindi ka pwedeng basta-basta (pumasok),? he explains.

Yes to dates, but ...

Another form of independence that Robin gives Queenie?who?s also Muslim?is the freedom to go out on dates. But this, he qualifies, falls under certain conditions under Islamic law.

?Unang-una, hindi pinapayagan ng Islam ang date-date. Kung mangyayari man ?yun, dapat may kasama siya,? Robin stresses.

After wrapping up work on the GMA 7 series ?Totoy Bato,? Robin went to Australia to be with wife Liezl, daughters Kylie and Zhen Zhen and son Ali?on the same day Queenie celebrated her birthday. He says she chose to stay here.

Robin says Queenie plans to stay in the country to pursue her college degree, aside from doing film and cause-oriented projects.

?Plano niya noon sa Australia siya mag-ka-college. Ngayon gusto niya na rito. Ibig sabihin may pag-ibig na ?yun,? Robin says.