Robin Padilla calls for patriotism amid ‘racist’ allegations

MANILA, Philippines — After being slammed by netizens for forcing a Korean contestant to speak in Tagalog in last Saturday’s episode of “Pilipinas Got Talent,” Robin Padilla said he stands by his words and is not sorry for what he said.

Speaking with members of the media during the launch of his new teleserye “Sana Dalawa ang Puso Ko,” in which he stars with Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard Yap, Robin explained that whenever he goes to other countries, he makes sure to learn the language there, so the Korean contestant he scolded, magician Kim Jiwan, has no reason not to learn Filipino.

“Wala akong pinagsisisihan. Kasi ako pumupunta rin ako sa ibang bansa at ‘pag pumupunta ko sa ibang bansa, pilipilit kong malaman kung ano ‘yung salita don kasi bisita ka don eh. Ikaw ang makikibagay. Kung pupunta ka dito sa Pilipinas at uutusan mo kami at iinglisin mo kami sa banyagang pananalita, ay baka nagkakamali ka kasi bayan ko ‘to. Handa akong mamatay anytime para sa bayan ko,” the “Bad Boy of Philippine Cinema” said.

Comparing to last year’s Korean contestant who Robin did not force to speak in Tagalog, Robin said that it is a different matter now because this year’s contestant is already 10 years in the Philippines.

“Kaya kung sasabihin mo sa akin na sampung taon ka na dito at hindi ka pa rin marunong mag-Tagalog, aba eh may problema ka. Hindi mo sa’kin pwedeng sabihin na mahal mo ang Pilipinas. Sabi niya mahal niya ang Pilipinas eh, may girlfriend siyang Filipina, pero hindi siya marunong mag-Tagalog.”

Nonetheless, Robin clarified that his words were just like a father speaking to his son and he did not want to make a controversy out of it.

“Hindi ko naman siya inaway. Sinabihan ko lang siya na parang tatay niya. Meron akong kilala ditong Korean, si Ryan Bang. Ang galing mag-Tagalog, mas magaling pa sa akin.”

For netizens who are reacting violently for the incident, Robin said they should love Korea instead.

“Ganon talaga. Eh ‘di mahalin nila ‘yung Korea kung gusto nila. Wala naman problema sa akin ‘yun eh. Magpakamatay sila sa Koreano kung gusto nila.”

“Kung tayong mga Filipino ay hindi patriotic sa bansa natin, ‘wag tayong humingi ng pagbabago. Kung tayo ay mananatiling alipin ng dayuhan, eh kayo na lang. Hindi ako magpapaalipin sa dayuhan. Sa bansa ko? Hindi mangyayari ‘yun. Ako ang hari dito dahil nasa bansa ko ako. Ngayon kung nasa Korea ako, hehe, eh ‘di ganon tayo,” he explained while posing a heart fingers made popular in Korea.

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