What Robin is doing to make a difference

MANILA, Philippines - At 43, Robin Padilla said he has reached a juncture in his life where he wants to devote a major chunk of his time to uplift the poor.

The actor feels he can do so much to make a difference and now is the right time to go full steam in espousing his advocacies, particularly in education.

“Education is the key. We have to strengthen the education of our people, and religion has nothing to do with giving our children free access to good education. Whether Christian or Muslim, we need to educate the young so that they can have a brighter future,” Robin told reporters at the presscon of Talk ‘N Text’s Paskonalo promo last week. Incidentally, Robin also renewed his contract as brand ambassador for Talk ‘N Text.

If Robin feels strongly about his education advocacy it’s because he personally witnessed the struggles of children in Mindanao. The kids have stopped going to school because they no longer have a classrooom to return to; their school was destroyed by mortar shells due to the infighting between the miltary and rebel Muslims.

“I always frequent Mindanao and my heart bleeds everytime I see how kids at ARMM are helpless about the things that they can’t control. When there’s fighting, the rebels and the military use these schools as camps and battlefields, they put their cannons and artillery inside the schools and fire towards each other until no classroom building is left standing,” Robin lamented.

His recent visit to Zamboanga was really an eye-opener, Robin said.

“It looked like WW3 happened in Zamboanga. The children just study in makeshift tents, some simply stopped studying. It’s a sorry sight. I can’t help but pity the children,” he said.

“It’s high time that the government do something about this. The government should not just do an ocular on air; they should go to the grounds so they can see the real situation. We really need to build new school classrooms,” he added.

For as long as he’s alive, Robin said he will continue to promote his education advocacy and make sure that poor people will get assistance.

Robin said he’s glad that Talk ‘N Text, the value brand of wireless services provider Smart Communications, supports his education advocacy.

“Not many of you are aware that I’ve been Smart’s endorser for the past 10 years. I stayed loyal to them because, aside from trusting me to become their endorser at a time when I just came out of prison, Talk ‘N Text has continously supported me in promoting my advocacies,” he said.

Robin is currently representing Talk ‘N Text in its partnership with the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation (YBHF), a national movement that pools funds to support the education needs of its partner communities around the country.

“People may not be aware, but in the isolated parts of this country, there are students who swim in the open sea to go to school. Life is that hard (for them). That’s why the yellow boats are a big blessing to them; they ferry them to school and also help in their livelihood. The youth will always have a special spot in my heart,” he said.         

Robin also lauded the telecom brand for spearheading a program that recently turned over a classroom meant for the teaching of basic Arabic lessons and Koran readings in the Baseco compound in Manila.

“That’s a really good project.Did you know that there is no program for children to learn basic and correct Arabic in school? The Arabic school is a  big help for Muslim children,” Robin said.

 He also said that peace is badly needed in this country, adding that the recent incident in Zamboanga should be a lesson to all that peace can only be achieved if both sides are willing to listen and compromise.

“The bloodshed in Zamboanga was about a group who wants attention but the government ignored them, so nagkaroon tuloy ng gulo. As a lesson from this senseless incident, I think the government should learn how to listen. Vietnam has overtaken us in economic growth because the lack of peace and order here continue to pull us down” he said.

Meanwhile, in his professional career, Robin said he wants to harness his skills this time as a producer.

His contract with ABS-CBN will expire and Robin is scouting for a home studio.

“I’ve been an actor all my life and I also want to do other things like producing. I need growth and I want growth in my career,” he said.

After two decades in show business, Robin said he’s also reacheda point where he has become choosy with his projects. He doesn’t want to do projects that would take him away from his family and wife Mariel. He also doesn’t want projects that are too physically draining — taping until the wee hours of the morning is now a big no-no.

“I’m in my 40s and honestly my body is not the way it used to be. I don’t like the feeling of not being able to sleep at night. I’m through with that phase,” he said.

“I’m also now looking for projects that has ‘wenta’ not kwenta. At my age, I don’t like to have those pa-cute roles anymore. I’ll leave that to my nephew Daniel Padilla and my daughter Kylie,” he said.

Robin will release his film 10,000 hours this December in time for the Metro Manila Film Festival. The story is loosely based on the life of former Sen. Ping Lacson during the time he went into hiding in Europe after the previous administration pursued him for his alleged involvement in the Corbito-Dacer case.

Robin’s second feature film with his nephew Daniel will be shown on Jan.15, 2 014.