Joseph Estrada donates one million pesos from his talent fee to Bantay Bata |
| by Napoleon Quintos | November 07, 2009 9:56 PM | |
Joseph Estrada is overwhelmed with joy because of the public’s anticipation for his comeback film Ang Tanging Pamilya to be shown nationwide this November 11. To share his blessings, Erap formally donated P1 Million from his talent fee to Bantay Bata through the foundation’s director Tina Monzon Palma during the press conference for the movie. As former president, Erap said he is still dedicated into helping less fortunate Kapamilya.
Palma revealed that Erap, during his time as president, donated money which became instrumental in putting up Bantay Bata offices in Cebu and Davao. For Erap, there’s no other perfect time to share the blessings than when many have been victims of recent typhoons. “Gusto kong ipamahagi ang nararamdaman kong kasiyahan ngayon. Sa panahon ngayon dapat tayong magtulong tulong para alalayan ang ating mga naghihirap na kababayan. Nabalitaan ko nga kanina ‘yung latest survey na sa Pilipinas e napakaraming nagugutom. Tayong mga nakakaangat sa buhay e dapat namang magbigay. Sabi nga ng ating Panginoon, ‘What you give to the least of my brethren, you’ve done it unto Him.’”
But Erap, who recently declared his intention to run again for president in the 2010 elections, clarified that his donation to Bantay Bata should not be seen as a campaign stunt. “Bukod sa Bantay Bata marami pang iba akong tinutulungan. Karamihan lang hindi nababalita hindi tulad nitong ginawa ko ngayon. Mas gusto ko nga na hindi na nababalita kasi sabi sa Bibliya, ‘What you did with your right hand, your left hand should never know.’ Kapag ipinamalita mo pa ‘yung pagtulong mo ang labas namumulitika ka lang. Ngayon wala na akong pakialam sa mga magki-criticize sa ginawa kong pagtulong.” While the ex-President refused to answer questions concerning politics, he talked at length about Ang Tanging Pamilya.
Erap was an award-winning actor-producer before he ventured into politics and eventually became president in 1998. After being absent from the movies for more than 20 years, the screen icon admitted that he got the cold feet during their first day of shoot for Ang Tanging Pamilya. “Napakasaya ko kasi na-miss ko talaga ang pelikula. Ngayon nagawa ko uli ‘yung mga dating kong ginagawa. Siyempre napakasaya ko na magagaling ang nakasama ko sa Ang Tanging Pamilya. Naturally talented sina Ai-Ai de las Alas, Toni Gonzaga, Sam Milby, maski si Aling Dionisia Pacquiao. Nung mga first few days ng shooting ko naramdaman ko na medyo kinalawang na nga ako sa acting. Siyempre more than 20 years na rin akong napahinga. Pero nung sumunod na mga araw nakasanayan ko na rin.”
Erap also expressed his admiration for Comedy Concert Queen Ai-Ai who plays his wife in the film. The actor-politician revealed he will never forget when he felt “molested” by the funny woman. “Magaling siya pero pinagsasamantalahan ako. ‘Yung huling eksena naming ilalapit ko ‘yung lips ko sa kanya. Bigla niyang hinila ‘yung ulo ko, natuloy ‘yung kiss. Nagulat ako, pero okay lang, hindi naman ako nagsisisi, ha ha ha! Hindi ko makakalimutan ‘yung eksenang ‘yun.”
Aside from Erap’s return to the silver screen, Ang Tanging Pamilya also features the acting debut of Aling Dionisia, the mother of international boxing champion Manny Pacquiao. Erap was the one who convinced the “Pacmom” to accept the role as his in law in the film. “Kinumbinsi ko talaga siya. Nakita ko talagang may natural talent siya sa comedy. Maraming matutuwa kapag napanood siya sa pelikulang ito. Hindi ako nagkamali sa pagkumbinsi sa kanya. Malaki ang kontribusyon niya sa pelikulang ito. For me, para sa isang baguhang artista e napakagaling na ni Mommy Dionisia. She’s a natural actress kaya rehearsal pa lang natatawa na kami sa kanya.”
It is still uncertain if Erap will do another movie following Ang Tanging Pamilya given his political plans in 2010. But this pillar of local cinema said he is open to working again with the best people in the industry. “Kung may magandang istorya at magaling na bagong leading lady bakit naman hindi. Nagpapasalamat nga ako sa Star Cinema dahil kinuha nila ako dito. Hanga ako sa produksyon ng Star Cinema, lahat sila ay napaka-professional.”
Watch Erap in Ang Tanging Pamilya premiering nationwide on November 11. Log on to www.starcinema.com.ph for more about the movie.
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