After receiving flak for allegedly being quiet on the ABS-CBN shutdown. Kapamilya actress Nadine Lustre finally took a stand with her fellow ABS-CBN artists and staff days after Congress denied the application for franchise renewal.
In a series of Instagram stories of Nadine, she stressed how she empathizes with her co-employees who will soon be displaced because of the Congress’ decision.
“Gaya ninyo, [K]apamilya din ako. Gaya ninyo, natatakot ako sa mga nangyayari, Gaya ninyo, nalungkot din ako para sa 11,000+ na taong nawalan ng trabaho. Gaya ninyo, umiiyak ako para sa sariling bansa,” she added. “Dahil gaya ninyo, Pilipino din ako.”
She then emphasized that she was helping those battling for her home network, saying,
“Kasama ako sa laban na ito. Patuloy na tumutulong at nagdadasal sa kabila ng pagluluksa,”
The actress also hopes that instead of the Filipinos being divided, we should instead pay attention to subjects that deserve to be focused on.
“Sana ay ibaling natin ang attention sa bagay na nararapat na tuunan ng pansin. Pakiusap, huwag tayong magaway away at maghati,” Lustre added. “Wala na tayong oras.”
Prior to Lustre’s show of support for her home network, last July 1 via Instagram stories, Nadine rebuked Jobert Sucaldito, who was chosen as a resource person by Congress in the franchise hearings, for not seeing a larger picture.
“You’re not seeing the bigger picture, Mr. Sucaldito. It’s messed up how you are completely unashamed of what you said. It’s never okay to push someone to commit suicide,” the actress said.
“I can’t believe you’re using this issue to fight our home network whose only objective is to protect us,” she added.
At the hearing, Sucaldito even argued that his removal from his radio show was unconstitutional.
It can be recalled that Sucaldito had been suspended because he wished Nadine had jumped out of the building when he was trying to protect his fellow entertainment columnist, Ricky Lo.
Many claim that the non-renewal of ABS-CBN ‘s broadcasting franchise is politically motivated, since President Rodrigo Duterte openly tried to block it a number of times, and even bragged in a speech last week that he “disrupted the oligarchy” shortly after Congress denied the media giant ‘s application.
“Without declaring martial law, sinira ko yung mga tao na humahawak sa ekonomiya at umiipit sa tao at hindi nagbabayad. They take advantage, sa kanila political power.”
After the House of Representatives voted against the extension of the ABS-CBN franchise, the media giant announced that it would reduce its workforce beginning next month.
Among those who were let go were veteran broadcasters Ces Drilon and Korina Sanchez, both of whom shared their disappointment on social media.
Nadine Lustre is an actress, singer, and music director. After playing the leading role of Eya Rodriguez in the film adaptation of the popular Wattpad novel Diary ng Panget, she rose to fame.
She is also known for her role as Leah Olivar in the popular TV show of ABS CBN, On the Wings of Love in 2015. Her other TV appearances include another leading role in romantic comedy series, Till I Met You. She is considered as one of the prized talents of the ABS CBN Network.
