Actor Cesar Montano voiced his full support for the September 21 nationwide protest against corruption, stressing that Filipinos must finally put an end to tolerating systemic wrongdoings in government.
Speaking at the media conference for his Sinag Maynila filmfest entry Selda Tres with co-stars Carla Abellana and JM de Guzman, Montano said protests send a strong message not only to the government but also to the international community.
“This protest is very important. Kasi, dito natin ipinapaalam na hindi tayo sang-ayon sa nangyayari sa ating bansa. So, hindi lamang para sa buong bansa, kundi rin sa ibang bansa na malaman nila na we’re not agreeing, we don’t agree to what is happening. We’re being robbed. Kailangan talagang magprotesta!” he said.
Montano noted that even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signaled support for public outcry. “Even the President himself is supporting the rally… So, dapat talaga tayong sumali dito. E, mismong Presidente nga natin, sumusuporta, e. He’s not disagreeing. Sabi niya, tama ito. Mali yung nangyayari. So, dapat lang na sumuporta tayo dito sa rally na ito. Dapat lang.”
The veteran actor went on to reflect on why corruption and poor leadership persist in the country.
“Sa aking mga nasagap at natutunan… ahhhh, tayo kasing mga Pilipino, sa nangyayari ngayon, this is the product of our kabaitan. Masasabi kong kabaitan. Alam mo, pag sobra kang mabait, masama. Lahat ng sobra, masama,” he explained.
“Ang Pilipino, mabait. Kaya lang, sumobra. Inano natin, kinunsinti natin yung kamalian. Marami sa ating mga leaders, hindi sila dapat mga leaders. Because they cannot lead with righteousness, correct? Pero sino ang nag-upo sa kanila? Tayo,” he added.
Montano lamented the culture of vote-buying that continues to plague elections.
“Do you hear in some provinces, minsan pa nga, nagko-compare pa iyan pag eleksyon, ‘Magkano ang kinita mo? Magkano ka binayaran?’ We are selling our souls… we are selling our souls for how many years?! Naging kultura na natin ito. Hindi ito minsanan lang—kultura. Ugali na natin,” he said.
He urged voters to think beyond short-term survival.
“Pag sinabi mong huwag ibenta, tapos may offer sa kanya, ang boto niya, P10,000. Isang boto mo. ‘Pambiling bigas na ito.’ Of course, these voters [are] thinking about kung ano ang kakainin nila ngayon at bukas. But they’re not thinking kung ano ang magiging future ng anak nila at ng apo niya. Dapat kasi, iniisip natin kung ano ang magiging future din ng anak o apo natin. We should not, never… sell our votes. Next time po, sana sa susunod na eleksyon talaga,” Montano stressed.
Beyond politics, Montano also underscored the need for national healing.
“At the same time, above everything, this country needs healing. Kailangang gamutin ito. And according to the Scripture, we should humble ourselves and pray together. Ano ito, sakit. Sakit ng bansa natin ito. We should humble ourselves and pray na sana, ma-heal itong bansa natin at magbago tayo ng disposisyon sa buhay,” he said.
Montano’s film ‘Selda Tres’, directed by GB Sampedro, is one of the official entries in the 7th Sinag Maynila Film Festival happening September 24–30. The cast includes Carla Abellana, JM de Guzman, Arron Villaflor, Kier Legaspi, Victor Neri, Isay Alvarez, Perla Bautista, Jeffrey Tam, Tanjo Villoso, and Johnny Revilla.
Abellana, dubbed the “patron saint of concerned citizens” for her outspoken posts on social issues, also said the film resonates with the times. “Injustice happens every day… at dapat everyday po nating ilalaban kung ano po yung tama,” she said.
