Ronnie Lazaro on dealing with social issues: 'We use art'

MANILA, Philippines- Art is something that actor Ronnie Lazaro uses both as his bread-and-butter and vehicle for his advocacy.

And starring in  the film  â€œTumbang Preso,” which is a written and directed by newbie director Kip Oebanda, is an illustration of this fusion.

The film tackles human trafficking, which is one of the biggest problems in the country.

“It was nice to do something with a cause,” he said in an interview Thursday afternoon, April 3. “I mean, you have money, you have soap opera, but you also...not that they don't pay you, maganda 'yong may ginagawa kang may kabuluhan din. ”

He's also glad that many new directors and writers are  joining the industry, aided by the development of the technology.

“During these times, nakikita ko na nag-iiba na ang pananaw ng indusriya, e,” he added. â€œAng mga tao are getting tired of the same banana. They want something new. Kaya perfect din ang pasok ng technology.”

Speak Up!

Meanwhile, aside from doing films, Ronnie is also busy with his organization “Dakila.” He founded it together with Lourd de Veyra and Tado who recently passed away.

The organization, he described, is for modern heroes who  stand up for something and make a change.

But unlike other organizations that calls for change in the country, “we don't go straight to protest. We use art to change minds,” he said.

Asked what he wanted to change, Ronnie replied “I hope our leaders... it's really from leadership, e.

“The leaders, they have to sacrifice—everybody has to sacrifice. We have to be as one now as a country because a huge country is trying to conquer us, bullying us,” he said referring to the territorial row between  the Philippines and China.

“Will you allow that?” he asked back to the press. 

“No, you write,” he said. “You write, you can use this as a vehicle in sending the message, the interview with the stars and putting your undertones about it. You have the power, you have the pen. We [artists], we do it in cinema.”

"The fact that we're doing something about it, consider it as a movement, that's good enough," he said.