Cause play: Robi Domingo on sex trafficking and other issues

MANILA, Philippines - When he finally got to The Body Shop branch, Robi Domingo appeared every bit of the college student he currently is: a cap tipped down, bright yellow tee-shirt, and jeans cuffed above his sneakers. And though the 21-year-old is known to the masses as an actor, former VJ, and most memorably, the once-lanky, once-bald housemate that holed up in the Pinoy Big Brother House, there he was, slightly more Gold’s Gym-toned and Ateneo-conditioned — all geared up to talk about issues he never thought he’d even think about in the first place.

Robi did just that at the Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People (SST) event, recently held last Thursday, July 21 at The Body Shop (TBS) in Robinsons Galleria. Launched in 2009 by TBS in cooperation with ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography, and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes), the global campaign first sought to raise awareness and funds for victims by introducing The Body Shop Soft Hands Kind Heart Hand Cream. With one sold globally every 30 seconds, the cream has reportedly raised more than P70 million for charity. More than 400,000 Filipinos have also signed the petition to support this cause, hopefully paving the way for a formal call upon the government to implement strict anti-trafficking policies and legislation this August.

Heavy sounding, yes, but not something Robi wants to back off from just yet. In this interview, he reflects a little bit on the weight of this campaign and why other teenagers should pitch in — all that, plus his future plans for his fans.

YOUNG STAR: How does it feel to be part of the Stop Sex Trafficking campaign now?

ROBI DOMINGO: It started three months ago when I was asked to be an ambassador for SST. When I showed up, it was for the fragrance Dreams Unlimited, which I had no idea I was part of at first. So that was embarrassing. (Laughs) Then again, wow, all I can say is it’s a big responsibility and I’m happy to be part of it. Teens nowadays are getting more responsible and aware. This issue is something that should be taken seriously. We’re talking about human beings. In order to protect their dignity, we have to do campaigns like this. And I think The Body Shop just hit the right target.

Sex trafficking is a very serious, sensitive and “mature” issue. How do you think people as young as ourselves can relate to it?

Signed, sealed & delivered: Your signature can help pass an anti-trafficking law.

Well, just think about yourself. If you were caught in this sex trafficking and your dignity was taken away from you, how would you feel? You’d feel incomplete. So we’re doing this campaign to end the misery of other rights-deprived people. Wow, I sounded very Atenean there. (Laughs)

Why should a teenager go out of his way for a cause like this?

Isn’t it fun? Well, in my case, you get to talk to a lot of people. You get to learn a lot. You get to be involved in a lot of social issues. And I think involvement is one thing that kids can start doing now rather than wait ‘til they’re adults.

What do you want to tell the guys who think The Body Shop is solely for girls?

No, no, and no. When you talk about the name The Body Shop, you’ll realize that everyone has a body. And there’s nothing wrong with taking care of your skin. If you know how to take care of yourself, (you’ll) know how to take care of other people.

You’ve gone a long way from your stint at PBB. What’s in store for you now?

Right now, I’m taking up my BS in health sciences in Ateneo. It’s helped me become more aware of this campaign not just in the Philippines but in Bangkok and other countries that have a trafficking problem as well.

How are you balancing college with career?

It’s no joke. I’m always doing two things at the same time. When you’re at an event, you think about the meaning of life, Immanuel Kant, Gabriel Marcel, and biochemistry. (Laughs) And when you’re in Ateneo, you think about what the next spiel is, ano na tatanungin ni Mr. Mendoza, stuff like that. You just have to be focused.

What are your future plans?

Oh. (Laughs) I’m looking for the answer right now. I actually have option A and option B. And since you’re an Atenean, I’ll be revealing this to you. (Laughs) Option A is for me to continue my studies. After five years, I’ll be a doctor and all. Option B is to take a minor in Ateneo and be serious about my ABS-CBN work. But after that, I’ll still do med. Whatever happens, I’ll still go to med school because I promised my parents.