Piolo Pascual defends Robin Padilla on 'Marawi' movie issue

MANILA, Philippines — Actor Robin Padilla was recently criticized on social media for allegedly investing on a movie on the war in Marawi instead of donating the money.

In a recent press conference for new romantic comedy TV series “Since I Found You,” Piolo Pascual explained his and Robin’s decision to invest in the film.

“‘Yung ibibigay nating kakarampot na pera, not even one family can appreciate that for a long time. Mas marami tayong kailangang tulungan so naisip ko lang na kailangan nating gumawa ng pelikula hindi lang para sa kanila, kundi para mamulat din ‘yung mga mamamayan na hindi porket okay ang buhay mo, okay na ‘yan… Sa’tin naman nag-originate ang Bayanihan eh. ‘Di ba dapat matuto tayong maging compassionate at tumulong sa kapwa?”

According to Piolo, filmmaker Joyce Bernal, his partner at Spring Films that made their hit romantic comedy “Kita Kita,” originally wanted to donate part of her income from “Kita Kita” to Padilla’s foundation dedicated to Marawi’s rehabilitation. Though he found it noble, he told Joyce that they could help more if they are to produce a film that could build more awareness on Marawi citizens’ plight.

“Mahirap s’ya pero kasi kung gumagawa ka ng isang adbokasiya, mas maganda na isipin mo ‘yung nobility ng ginagawa mo kesa ‘yung pressure na maka-come up with something na pelikula lang. Alam natin na maraming experiences na kakapulutan ng aral dito sa nangyari sa Marawi at ‘yon ‘yung gusto namin ipakita sa tao,” he explained in a round table interview, including Philstar.com.

Piolo to cast real Maranaos for ‘Marawi’ movie

Instead of giving a man a fish, Piolo believes more on teaching man how to fish. In their movie’s case, it is giving livelihood to Marawi war survivors partly through employing them to star in the movie.

The actor-turned-producer shared that his company will be holding auditions in Mindanao State University because they want to cast real Maranaos, even for soldier roles. He shared that the main character, an eight-year-old kid, is the hardest one to find. They are also finding difficulty casting a female soldier’s role since it will become a very physical one.

He and Robin will have a cameo in the movie as well if they will be allowed by ABS-CBN. It is Robin that convinced him to invest in the flick.

“Siguro ‘yung pinaka-wake up call ko na ang ganda ng buhay ko pero ‘yung kababayan ko hindi maganda ‘yung buhay… Wake up call ko na ‘yung sinabi ni Kuya Binoe na ‘Ito ‘yung nangyari sa Marawi, maraming taong walang matirhan.’ Ang sakit pala nun ‘no? ‘Pag alam mo na ‘yung mga kababayan mo hindi maganda ‘yung buhay. Hindi naman nila ginusto na them being displaced… Hindi naman nila ginusto na mawalan ng bahay pero para mawalan ka ng buhay, nakaka-konsensya,” Piolo enthused.

“So sabi ko, kailangan natin ng bahay para sa kanila. Siguro mas mabibigyan natin sila ng mas malaking budget bukod dun sa telethon na ginawa ng ABS. Mas mabibigyan natin sila ng mas magandang livelihood ‘pag continuous ‘yung pagtulong natin.”

Besides casting Maranaos, Piolo hopes to shoot the film Ground Zero, which he finds to be very hard as the city has began its rehabilitation. He admitted that he, Robin and Joyce are not the only investors; they also tapped other investors, who are now pressuring them to start filming.

“War movie na Philippine version kasi lahat ng napapanood natin Westernized, so this is something na maaappreciate ng mga Pilipino na talagang nangyari dito sa Pilipinas,” he said on his vision for the movie.

Piolo, however, clarified that his efforts to help Marawi does not stop at giving people jobs for the film.

“Starting with the film, ‘di naman natatapos dito,” he assured.

“Siguro, one day at a time, one person at a time, gumawa ka ng magandang bagay para mapaganda ‘yung buhay ng ibang tao.”