Tom Rodriguez is playing a senator in “Magtanggol” who helped OFWs na naging biktima ng pang-aabuso.
Say niya, wala siyang peg sa pag-portray niya bilang politico sa nasabing indie film.
“Ang ginawa ko na lang ay nanood ako ng mga Senate hearings and I’d like to re-immerse as much as possible and know about our country’s history, our country’s political system. At the same time I delved on the character. Tiningnan ko ang history ng character, kung saan nanggagaling ‘yug actions na ginagawa niya,” paliwanag niya.
Nang matanong kung ano ang reaction niya about political dynasty ay ito ang sagot ng binata: “For me, if you have public service in your heart, then you have that right to be able to do that. If you study and you really know that you can make a positive change, especially in high level of matters, then more talent ‘yun, eh. Bu then if you’re only in it as a form of work na ‘eto lang, easy money, then I don’t think I can support you.”
May lesson ang movie, according to Tom Rodriguez.
“If there’s a message that can be drawn from the movie is that kahit sino ay may magagawa ka. Ito ang na-experience namin. For example ‘yung mga OFWs na minaltrato, na biktima ng pang-aabuso ng physical, may magagawa ka. I’m not saying that you can do something physically, something violently. There’s something that you can do to fight for your rights and fight for yourself. Mas na-inspire ako, kasi nu’ng makita ko na ‘yun ang ginawa ng mga inspirasyon sa pelikula, ‘yung mga Migrante volunteers na nakausap ‘yung mga OFWs na minaltrato. ‘Yung nakita nila na ito ang nagagawa namin, nagbo-volunteer kami at ire-raise namin ‘yung awareness to help people in similar situation.”
Lex Chika
by Alex Valentine Brosas
