Known die-hard Duterte supporter Robin Padilla once again proved his undying adoration for President Rodrigo Duterte.
This after Padilla ironically changed views about the Metro Manila Film Festival because of Duterte’s recent pronouncement of support for the annual film fest.
“Nakaugalian na kasi natin na lumayo sa katotohanan ng buhay at mabuhay sa sarili nating mundo at magpanggap na maayos ang lahat. Kailan kaya lalabas sa kanilang mga sariling mundo ang screening committee ng MMFF at magsimulang mabuhay sa katotohanan at maging hudyat para magamit ang kanilang kapangyarihan upang makapagmulat ng kanilang kababayan sa mga suliranin na dapat ay hinaharap at hindi tinatakbuhan o kinakatakutan.”
He then slammed the prevailing norms of choosing films that are commercial in nature rather than those that are pure work of art which will showcase the heart and soul of the film industry.
“Kung nakikinig lamang at tunay na may pag-galang sana ang mga screening committee na ito sa ating national artist na si Kidlat Tahimik, marahil ay mabubuksan ang kanilang puso lalo ang kanilang kaluluwa at konsensya sa tunay na gamit sa paggawa ng pelikula at kung paano ito magiging daan para mabuksan ang kaisipan ng taongbayan sa tunay na mukha ng buhay hindi sa mga maskara na idinikdik sa kanilang mga kaisipan ng mga negosyante sa loob ng pelikulang Pilipino.
“Mga kababayan hindi lahat ng nasa pelikula ay kita sa takilya ang habol! Katulad ng pangmumulat ng national artist na si Kidlat Tahimik, may mga film makers tayo na nabubuhay lamang sa pag ibig sa Bayan at pagmamahal sa kapwa tao at Pilipino.
“May mga taong hindi taga pelikula ang naniniwala sa kapangyarihan ng pelikula na maghayag ng katotohanan kaya’t sila ay handang lumantad at mag alay ng buhay maisawalat lamang sa taongbayan kung ano ang katotohanan at kung ano ang kasinungalingan.” Robin continued.
However, Robin’s criticism of the MMFF seemed to disappear after he made a complete turnaround and praised the film fest in his latest social media post.
In his Instagram post, Padilla flip-flopped against his previous statements saying praising MMFF and its contribution to the movie industry. He also lauded Duterte’s pronouncements as a mighty word that can make everything happen.
“Kapag nagsalita na ang Pinakapinuno ng mga pinuno ibig sabihin yun na ang mangyayari at magaganap. Katulad ng salmo ng Pangulo! Mabuhay ang Pelikulang Pilipino! Mabuhay ang talentong Pilipino. In shaa Allah ay matupad lahat ang mithiin ng ating Pangulo at ito na ngang MMFF ang maging umpisa ng pag ikot pataas ng industriyang pelikulang Pilipino.”
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Padilla’s u-turn came after President Duterte issued a statement about the upcoming movie festival.
In his statement, Duterte commended MMFF for being the Filipino audience’s source of enjoyment during Christmas since its inception in 1975.
“[MMFF] has given the Filipino audience a time to enjoy the holidays with their family and friends in the cinemas,” said Duterte.
“[It] showcases the best Filipino film-making and how it compares with the rest of the world and has given us memorable films that convey the richness of our culture and heritage.
“May the festival continues to be a beacon of hope for the advancement of Philippine cinema and for growth as a nation,” he added.
Padilla is known to be a die-hard Duterte supporter. He has always agreed with Duterte even if it means backtracking his own statement just to fit into the narrative that Duterte knows best and that Duterte cannot be wrong.
