Flonique Guimary

Nadine Lustre reflects on the weight of being called 'President Nadine'

Article (news)

E. Kristhoff Cagape

Push Team

<p>Nadine Lustre reflected on being dubbed “President Nadine” by netizens and admitted that the moniker has become a “double-edged sword” for her over the years.</p><p>In an interview on the <em>Dogshow Divas</em>, Nadine shared that while she appreciates what the nickname represents, it also comes with certain expectations.</p><p>&quot;I think &#x27;yung pagtawag sa akin ng mga tao na ‘president’, in some way para siyang ano eh, double-edged sword,&quot; she pointed out.</p><p>She explained that, on one hand, she feels flattered knowing that people value what she has to say and look up to her.</p><p>&quot;Parang in some way, it&#x27;s a good thing kasi it kind of gives me an assurance or at least like parang para siyang praise, ganun, na people take what I say seriously or that they look up to me... na para sa akin ano naman, at least it flatters me na may weight &#x27;yung sinasabi ko,&quot; she remarked.</p><p>At the same time, Nadine admitted that what initially started as a lighthearted internet joke eventually came with a sense of responsibility.</p><p>&quot;But at the same time, parang instead of it just being a meme or something na fun that came out of the internet, parang nagkaroon siya ng baggage, ng responsibilities, na parang &#x27;pag may issues, people actually expect me to say something about any issue,&quot; she stated.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-25" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbVpoAoifDs/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=642&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A25%2C%22os%22%3A5542611.099999905%2C%22ls%22%3A3820248.399999857%2C%22le%22%3A3820262.6999998093%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="967" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-25" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:658px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>While she still finds the “President Nadine” label amusing, the actress acknowledged that she now feels the weight of the expectations that come with it.</p><p>&quot;Parang mas may weight siya kasi parang mas nag-expect &#x27;yung mga tao from me. Parang naging ganun siya,&quot; she said.</p><p>The “President Nadine” nickname reportedly began circulating online in 2017, with fans using the moniker as a playful way of expressing their admiration for the actress.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/8/26/nadine-lustre-on-why-she-prefers-her-30s-over-her-20s-i-know-myself-better-2024" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Nadine Lustre on why she prefers her 30s over her 20s: &#x27;I know myself better&#x27;</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>In a 2022 interview with Bianca Gonzalez on Cinema One, Nadine admitted that she was initially puzzled by the nickname and did not immediately understand why netizens were calling her “President.”</p><p>“Before, I really didn’t understand it,&quot; she recounted. &quot;Now, honestly it makes me feel loved.&quot;</p><p>The actress went on to share that she eventually came to appreciate the moniker as a reflection of the trust and respect people have for her and her opinions.</p><p>“Because every time people say that or every time people call me that, it’s a sort of acknowledgement that I’m someone people look up to, or someone that people listen to, that my voice is heard,” she stated.</p>

<p>Nadine Lustre admitted that the moniker has become a 'double-edged sword' for her over the years.</p>

Nadine Lustre admitted that the moniker has become a 'double-edged sword' for her over the years.