Even if she could not personally attend the Trillion Peso March protests on September 21, Janella Salvador still made her voice heard against corruption during the recent Star Magic Spotlight.
In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, the actress explained why it was important for her to make a statement.
“Sayang naman yung platform na binigay sa atin kung di ko siya gagamitin sa tama kaya iniisip ko sana yung iba din ma-encourage din sila mag-speak up kung natatakot man sila or what. Kasi lahat naman tayo ay mamamayan ng Pilipinas. Lahat tayo nagsa-suffer. Lahat tayo naaapektuhan ng corruption. As in lahat. No one is spared from it. So I hope magkaisa talaga tayo this time para magkaroon na ng totoong pagbabago,” she expressed.
The actress-singer also opened up about why she chose to speak out, even if it meant being vulnerable to bashing from those who might disagree with her as a public figure.
“Habang tumatagal ng tumatagal, feeling ko mas naging brave din naman ako mag-speak up. Kasi nare-realize ko na sayang eh. Sayang yung binigay sa akin na reach. Ayun, habang tumatanda ko yun yung na-feel ko,” Janella said.
Aside from taking a stand against corruption, Janella has also been vocal about the importance of providing proper representation for the LGBTQIA+ community.
“Nai-enjoy ko yung interactions ko with the community. And not just that, of course, to be able to have a voice, to be able to represent. Sobrang grateful ako doon. And parang hindi ko siya tine-take for granted pag tumatanggap ako ngayon ng projects. Nagkaroon din kasi ako ng offers recently (na) Queer films after Open Endings,” she recalled.
She added that she has always been an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community and wants to use her platform to support them even further.
“Mine-make sure ko kasi talaga na tama yung maging representation eh. Ayoko kung basta-basta lang tumanggap ng project for the sake of it lang. Kasama rin ako, pinaglalaban ko rin. Pinaglalaban ko rin yung tamang representation,” Janella said.
Janella also recalled how some of her iconic roles, including Nikki Grace Lim in Be Careful With My Heart and Valentina in Mars Ravelo’s Darna: The TV Series, have resonated strongly with queer audiences, something she feels grateful to be recognized for.
“Happy ako na nakapasok ako sa puso ng (LGBTQIA+) community. Kasi nga, like I said, personal din naman sa akin. So, ayun, masaya. And nai-enjoy ko siyempre pag nakakapag-interact (with them) sa Twitter (now called X) ganyan,” she further shared.
Janella is also part of Open Endings, a film included in this year’s Cinemalaya Film Festival, which will run starting October 3.