As concerned Filipinos air their frustrations against the government on its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, action star Robin Padilla called on his fellow Pinoys to take action rather than complain.

Padilla articulated his dismay in his Instagram post on Monday, Aug. 3, sharing a short clip of President Rodrigo Duterte’s press briefing, where it was announced that some parts of the country were placed in modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

The move came after medical societies made a united stand and called for an ECQ because the healthcare system was “overwhelmed”.

Padilla weighed in on the division of Filipinos during this health crisis, claiming that many still do not “accept” the “war” against COVID-19.

“Napakarami pa rin sa ating mga kababayan ang hindi pa rin natatanggap ang katotohanan na ang Inangbayan Pilipinas ay nasa Gitna ng Digmaan Pandaigdig laban sa COVID-19,” he said.

“Hindi ko na talaga batid kung san hindi magkaintindihan ang mga Pilipino,” he wrote.

(I really don’t know where Filipinos’ misunderstanding comes from.)

“Ramdam na natin lahat sa ating mga tahanan ang [unti-unting] pagkalimas ng ating mga savings at hindi ito problema lang natin buong mundo ang suliranin na ito,” he said.

(We all feel in our homes the depletion of our savings and this is not just our problem, it is also the problem of the whole world.)

“[Kaya’t] imbes na mabuhay at magising ka [araw-araw] sa pagrereklamo at kakabatikos [ABA’Y] kumilos ka para makatulong at mapakinabangan una ng sarili mo, mga pamilya mo at ng Inangbayan,” he said.

(Which is why instead of living and waking up every day to complaining and criticizing, you should act in order to help and be useful to yourself, your family and your country.)

That said, Padilla felt it is not the time to politicize issues besetting the country. He asked the public to help the government, calling for Filipinos to join the military reserve forces.

“Hindi ito ang oras ng pamumulitika! Ito ang oras ng pagtulong sa gobyerno maging ano man ang kulay mo,” he said.

“Isaksak [n’yo] sa baga [n’yo] at puso [n’yo] na ang [pinag-uusapan] ngayon at ang nakataya ngayon ay ang SURVIVAL ng ating LAHI at INANGBAYAN PILIPINAS.”

(This is not the time for politicizing. This is the time to help our government no matter what your color is. Keep to yourself what is being talked about now because what is at stake is the survival of our RACE and our COUNTRY.)

Without explanation, he encouraged Filipinos to “Join the Reservist.” Padilla expressed his desire to join the army reserve last year.

Quoting United States president John F. Kennedy, he concluded: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” NVG

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