Heartbroken over how millions of Filipinos lost their jobs and are struggling to get back on their feet during the pandemic, Nadine Lustre she didn't think twice in going "all the way" in backing Vice President Leni Robredo's candidacy for president.
Lustre told the Wake Up With Jim & Saab podcast that by speaking out on leadership during the pandemic, she hopes to help lift her countrymen from their suffering.
The unofficial "president" of outspoken and progressive Filipinos on the internet was among dozens of celebrities who splashed their social media profiles with pink to declare their support for Robredo.
"It's just that, you wanna support who you wanna support and you shouldn't be afraid to say it to people. And if you wanna support someone, you do it all the way," she told hosts Jim Bacaro and Saab Magalona-Bacaro.
Having consistently urged her 10 million followers on Instagram to register and vote in the elections, Lustre said she was not afraid to go beyond and share whose name she would write in the ballot.
"Parang weird kasi na you want to be vocal about encouraging people to register, [for them to] vote next year, [and be] more wise in picking, and then wala ka nang mashare after that. Why would you be ashamed of your picks? Ako naman, if you don't like my pick, that's your problem. Basta ako I know who i'm going to vote for," she added.
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Lustre said even if she's just one person and not everyone is going to agree with her, knowing that there's still a lot of people who look up to her is enough motivation to continue using her platform to shed light on the realities faced by Filipinos.
"I'm becoming more aware and more involved when it comes to politics because i've seen a lot of stuff. I've read about so many terrible things that have happened here in our country. It's just really, really heartbreaking to see people suffering especially because of the pandemic," she said.
"A lot of people lost their jobs and everyone is having a hard time trying to get back on their feet. Everyone is struggling mentally and emotionally as well. I wish that the pandemic was handled better," she added.
Lustre said even though she's very vocal about her opinions and doesn't care if people who don't agree would "unfollow or unlike" her, she remains careful with what she says and does, knowing the responsibility that comes with having a platform.
"I'm one person but together, all of us, if we do something about it, it will make a difference. I really just want the Philippines to be a better country for everyone," she added.
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