Cherry Pie advocates for ‘justice that heals’

Picache as guest storyteller for Inquirer’s Read-Along

Three years after her mother was murdered, actress Cherry Pie Picache has become an advocate for what she calls “justice that heals”—ensuring criminals’ right to due process and the right to life.

“We can always try to forgive, but we shouldn’t forget the importance of justice and accountability,” she said.

While admitting that she’s still in the process of healing and forgiving her mother’s killer, she nonetheless told the Inquirer that she’s doing her best to practice the “act of forgiving” and to always see the good in every person.

For Cherry Pie, defending human rights these days has become a difficult task because of the contentious nature and rising number of the drug-related killings. This, she said, is why she has decided to speak up and stand up for what she thinks is right.

Atmosphere of impartiality

“We in media are in a position to influence, encourage, enlighten and inspire others, so we should act now and make people aware of what’s happening in our country,” she said.

The actress pointed out the importance of promoting an atmosphere of impartiality and sobriety when dealing with political matters. “There’s too much anger out there, so this time, I’m coming from a different perspective—not just out of anger. We need balanced views to change people’s perception about issues,” she said.

The situation today has become even more worrisome, she confided: “We’re confronted with sad news on a daily basis, and I get affected because I’m a mom.”

Recently, the actress was invited to be the guest storyteller for a special edition of Inquirer’s Read-Along advocacy. She read “Si Kian,” a children’s book published by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) inspired by the life of slain Grade 12 student Kian delos Santos, who was killed during an alleged drug raid in Caloocan City.

Cherry Pie Picache

She explained that even before Kian’s case, there were already reports of drug-related extrajudicial killings involving minors. “But, in Kian’s case, nabigyan ng mukha [ang problema]…maraming nag-ingay. Takot ako, kasi ’yan na ang mentalidad at kultura ngayon—pagpatay. It’s something that I can’t support,” she stressed. “We aren’t like that…dati, ni hindi natin masabi ang salitang ‘pagpatay.’”

Outspoken

The actress has been outspoken about her political views. This is why she also has her fair share of bashers: “I ignore them, but I’m only human—hindi ako manhid, nasasaktan din ako (I’m not numb, I also get hurt).”

In fact, she said, there are bashers who get too personal. “The most painful was when people belittled my mom’s death and naka-quota ako nang tinawag akong tanga sa (antimartial law) rally sa Luneta.”

The actress is currently working on a book that she hopes will help people get a better understanding of the dire situation the country is in. She describes the book as a “wake-up call to get our act together.”

About time

She added, “It’s about time we’re reminded of our values as Filipinos, as human beings—to be kinder, more loving and more caring. We need to be more forgiving…
dapat makialam tayo sa mga nangyayari. We need to change the perception that there’s nothing wrong with killing.”

Cherry Pie is part of ABS-CBN’s soap opera “The Promise of Forever” and will next be seen in another teleserye (whose working title is “Asintado”), costarring Lorna Tolentino, Julia Montes, Shaina Magdayao and Paulo Avelino.