Robin Padilla spearheads ‘Tindig Marawi’ drive to rebuild, rehabilitate war-torn city
“PagkaPilipino natin yung nawasak dun.” Thus said actor Robin Padilla, on the verge of tears while referring to the devastation of Marawi City at the launch of “Tindig Marawi,” an advocacy aimed at rebuilding and rehabilitating the warravaged capital of Lanao del Sur.
In a press conference at Ilustrado restaurant in Intramuros, Padilla explained the intricacies of the campaign, which must initially draw support from private companies and organizations.
“Makakuha ng suporta mula sa mga pribadong indibidwal,korporasyon, at mga organisasyon upang sama-sama nating tulungan ang rebuilding o ang pagbangong muli ng Marawi na sa loob limang buwan ay winasak ng digmaan.” Padilla said.
All together now The actor said that the rebuilding of the war-torn city cannot be shouldered by just a single or a group of people, even a lone organization, or even by the government alone.
He stressed that this should be an effort of Filipinos from all walks of life, regardless of religion or creed. “Hindi ko po kayang mag-isa to.”
Filipino Padilla also said that he took the liberty of establishing a campaign like this because peace and Mindanao are two things that are very dear to him and that above all, he is a Filipino.
“Halos madurog ang aking damdamin, ang aking puso ang aking kaluluwa sa digmaan sa Marawi.”
He recalled that since the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, he began helping out individuals who were affected by natural and man-made calamities and disasters.
Benefactors
But this time, the devastation is at such a massive scale which is why he reached out to the likes of Amor Maclang of GeiserMaclang; Bvavnah Suresh, CEO and Managing Director of Lamudi, Lito Villanueva of Kasama Ka and Dr. Potre Diampuan, a teacher and inter-faith advocate.
Lamudi will help in the reconstruction of houses in Marawi City.
According to Padilla, the houses will not be the “generic” houses that are usually given.
“Minsan yung bahay na ibibigay wala pang lababo, walang cr, proproblemahin pa nila yun.”
‘Kasama Ka’ will assist the Maranaos with livelihood concerns and to “promote inclusive growth and relive the spirit of bayanihan.”
For every Filipino who signs up at Kasama Ka via Kasama Ka.com, or text KKK to 2929015555, 11 will be donated in their behalf , in a bid to raise a minimum of 110 million to kickstart the Tindig Marawi Livelihood Fund.”
‘Man-made catastrophe’ The actor said that the “man-made calamity” could have been prevented if we stood by our patriotism.
“Hindi ito po kalamidad na binigay ng kalikasan, ito po ay man-made. Ito po sana ay naiwasan natin kung itinindig natin yung pagka Pilipino natin. Kung binuhat natin isinabuhay natin yung pagka Pilipino natin. Na tayo ay mahalan, tulungan, bayanihan, hindi po sana ito nangyari.”
He is calling on Filipinos to take part in the move to rebuild and rehabilitate the city to show the world that we can be united regardless of religion and political affliation, and that all of us would be willing to set those aside in the name of unity. ‘Battle won, war just beginning’ Padilla reiterated that while the siege in Marawi has ceased, the rehabilitation of the city has just started.
“Tapos na ang karahasan pero ang mas matinding usapin ay yung trauma, yung ibinigay nito sa mga tao yun po ang haharapin nating giyera. At ang mga sundalo dito ay tayo.”
The actor explained that the damage and rehabilitation does not only involve properties and livelihood, but also on the thinking of the individuals who were involved in the siege, because of the intense trauma and shock that they have experienced.
No politics Padilla admitted that he is a die-hard supporter of President Duterte, but that such has nothing to do with his initiative to help rebuild Marawi.
“Labas ho ito dun, wala hong kinalaman ito doon.”
He also said that he has no plans of entering politics.