MANILA — Actress Nadine Lustre said taking part in the September 21 protest against alleged flood control corruption was not about celebrity but about responsibility, as she stood with fellow Filipinos — and backed her “Call Me Mother” co-star Vice Ganda for speaking out.
Lustre was among the several celebrities who attended the September 21 national protest against flood control corruption.
"I think it's my responsibility being Filipino to be one with everyone else," she said on Monday as she and her partner Chris Bariou unveiled the partnership of their coconut milk brand Dehusk with PICKUP Coffee.
"September 21 po kasi I really wanted to be there not as a celebrity, not as a public figure, but as a Filipino. Sobrang ganda ng experience, parang na-feel ko lahat nang nandoon sa Ortigas, 'yung nandoon sa EDSA, I felt like I was part of everyone," Lustre said.
Lustre said it was really good to see Filipinos fighting for the same cause like her "Call Me Mother" co-star Vice Ganda, who also expressed her anger against corruption during the Trillion Peso March program at the People Power Monument along EDSA.
"I understand naman talaga sina Ate Vice. Grabe sobrang napabilib ako nang lahat ng mga public figures na pumunta roon. Kasi this time, we really have to fight, fight for our rights, fight for our country and for our fellow Filipinos. It's just so nice to see everyone to be out and fighting for the same thing, for the same cause," Lustre sid.
"It's such a memorable event for me kasi I got to experience everything. Nakapunta ako sa Shrine naglakad talaga like from sa dulo ng Temple Drive. May mga kasama po kasi ako, tapos naglakad po talaga kami. Nakita ko ang speech ni Ate Vice, nakita ko 'yung mga nagra-rally, 'yung mga magkakasama na naglalakad din. ...It was so beautiful to see everyone coming together," she added.
Commending Vice Ganda
In the interview, Lustre also expressed her support to Vice Ganda who was criticized by some people for swearing during the September 21 protest.
Vice also called for the death penalty for government officials allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects and urged Filipinos to speak out and make their anger felt. The "It's Showtime" host also asked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to punish everyone accountable for the corruption.
"I mean sa lahat nang mga nangyayari, mapapamura ka naman talaga. Hindi naman ako nag-iisa doon at hindi naman nag-iisa si Ate Vice. You know I really commend Ate Vice kasi 'yung ginawa niya she opened herself up for criticisms and she did that because she really loves the Filipino people," Lustre said.
"I think few days after the rally nagsabi talaga ako sa kanya na 'Ate Vice. ang ganda ng speech mo.' Even my friends were so moved and na-feel talaga ng mga tao roon na may kakampi sila. Parang na-rile up nga sila roon, parang nagkaroon pa sila ng more passion to fight. So ako, okay lang 'yung ginawa. Nakakagalit, mapapamura ka talaga sa lahat nang nangyayari,"she said.
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