Actor Daniel Padilla made his voice heard loud and clear this week—not through dialogue, but through social media and compelling on-screen emotion.
The 29-year-old actor took to Instagram Stories to express his outrage over the worsening deforestation in the Sierra Madre mountain range, particularly in parts of Dinapigue, Isabela, where large-scale mining activities have reportedly been taking place.
Padilla shared Google Maps images of the affected forest area, alongside screenshots of netizens’ reactions, echoing their disapproval of the destruction. The actor, known for rarely posting online, used his platform to bring awareness to an issue close to his heart.
Ang dami ko sanang gustong sabihin, kaso medyo busy
So proud of you, Daniel
Hindi n maubos ubos pgka proud ko sa’yoThank You, Lord for using& reminding Dj to use his platform, wisely & for the good.
*Hwag nyo kasi ginagalit si Dj#DanielPadilla#ProtectSierraMadre pic.twitter.com/wmnMSyxTX8
— (@Sy2526Sy) May 23, 2025
He joins fellow celebrity Nadine Lustre and Anne Curtis in calling out the situation. These stars have previously been recognized for their active advocacy for the environment.
Netizens were quick to praise Daniel and Nadine for using their influence meaningfully.
Environmental advocates lauded Daniel’s move, urging other celebrities and influencers to follow suit. The Sierra Madre is the longest mountain range in the Philippines and is considered a vital natural barrier that shields Luzon from strong typhoons.
Aside from making waves off-screen, Daniel Padilla is also gaining widespread praise for his dramatic performance in Episode 88 of the Netflix-ABS-CBN action series ‘Incognito’.
In the emotionally charged episode, Daniel’s character Andres Malvar finally reunites with his long-lost younger brother Jun, played by Louise Abuel. The moment, despite featuring only two spoken lines from Daniel, has been hailed as one of the most powerful scenes in the series to date.
With tear-filled eyes framed by a stunning sunset backdrop, Daniel’s restraint and raw emotion resonated with audiences. His close-up shot, featuring only his expressive eyes and no dialogue, sparked comparisons to the legendary Nora Aunor, revered for her subtle yet potent performances.
Following a brief two-week production break, Daniel returned to Incognito’s taping in Baguio City even on a Sunday morning—proof of his renewed passion and inspiration for the role.
The episode has since gone viral, not just among his fans, but even among casual viewers who admitted they were surprised by the depth of his acting.
