MANILA, Philippines — While others will choose to just stay silent, actress Liza Soberano on Friday said she could not stand being mum on social issues while she has a platform to speak out on behalf of those who could not.
“I think it comes from, I think more of napupuno na po ako,” (I am filled up) Soberano said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel when asked why she is active on discussions about various social issues.
Soberano admitted she was the type to keep her opinions to herself until she was inspired by those who take a stand on behalf of the voiceless.
“Before I wasn’t the type to talk about such issues but I’ve always had my fair share of opinions on them. I just didn’t feel comfortable with sharing them because I knew that people would always have something to say about my opinion,” she said.
“But now, I think I’ve gained so much courage from other people to stand up for themselves. That has inspired me to stand up for myself and start speaking on behalf of those who cannot do so,” she added.
Soberano had been vocal about her support to media giant ABS-CBN when it faced Congress for the renewal of its legislative franchise.
READ: Liza Soberano questions time spent ‘bringing ABS-CBN down’ rather than helping Filipinos in pandemic
She was also among the celebrities who condemned President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to pardon U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton, who was convicted in 2014 for killing Filipina transgender Jennifer Laude.
READ: Showbiz figures join critics in denouncing absolute pardon of Pemberton
“I couldn’t just sit back and not do anything about it. I knew that my voice has some power and I knew that I needed to help in the smallest way that I could,” Soberano said.