MANILA, Philippines – Action star Robin Padilla has belied reports that he disapproved of his wife, actress-host Mariel Rodriguez, resuming her career in show business.

Rodriguez took a long break from showbiz after marrying Padilla last year.

In an interview with “Showbiz News Ngayon” on Monday, Padilla said seeing Rodriguez back in the limelight is the best gift he would want to receive.

He also pointed out that Rodriguez was even hesitant to go back, and that he was the one who encouraged her to return to showbiz.

“Ang katunayan niyan, ang gusto ni Mariel talaga sa bahay na lang. Hindi dahil sa tinatanggihan niya ang show noong una kundi gusto niyang ibigay ang buong sarili niya sa akin, pag-aalaga. Noong nag-usap kami, sabi ko, ‘Nasa prime ka, kailangan mas maganda ‘yong busy ka, nagtutulungan tayo.’ Although siguro ang pinakamagandang regalo sa aming dalawa ay makita siya ulit doon sa entablado,” he said.

Rodriguez is one of the hosts of ABS-CBN's latest noontime show, "Happy, Yipee, Yehey!"

Meanwhile, Padilla shared that his relationship with his wife remains to be very sweet.

“Parang mag boyfriend pa rin kami siguro dahil hindi kami dumaan sa stage na iyon dahil kinidnap ko siya kaagad, pinakasalan,” he said.

Also, Padilla said he is happy that Rodriguez and her friend, Toni Gonzaga, have patched things up. He said he never doubted that the 2 stars would eventually reconcile.

“Kilala ko ang pagmamahalan nilang dalawa bilang magkaibigan. Ako ang unang nalungkot noong nagkaroon ng [hindi pagkakaintindihan]. Hindi naman galing sa kanilang dalawa ang alingasngas na iyon,” said Padilla. (abs-cbnnews)