John Arcilla echoes ‘Heneral Luna’ in appeal to voters: ‘Bayan, pumili ka!’

John Arcilla. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Leni Robredo

John Arcilla, known for his acclaimed portrayal of Gen. Antonio Luna in the hit 2015 film “Heneral Luna,” reminded the public of their power to choose the right candidate in the upcoming May 9 national elections.

Arcilla delivered his “Heneral Luna”-inspired speech as he declared his support for presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo and her running mate Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, as seen in a live stream video of the tandem’s Pasay campaign rally, on Robredo’s YouTube channel, also yesterday.

“Korap o tapat? Kurakot o lingkod? Umiiwas o humaharap? Sumusugod o umaatras? Masipag o tamad? Trapo o tropa? Bayan, pumili ka!” he said. “Ito ang tunay na pagibig sa bayan dahil ayaw natin ng korapsyon at kahit anong uri ng inhustisya — dahil itong dalawang ito ang dahilan kung bakit marami ang naghihirap sa ating mga kababayan.”

(Corrupt or honest? Plunderer or servant? Those who are absent or those who show up? Those who soldier on or those who retreat? Hardworking or lazy? A traditional politician or a friend to all of us? My country, you choose! This is the real love of country because we do not want corruption and any kind of injustice — because these are the two reasons why many of our countrymen are suffering from poverty.)

The actor pointed out that his choice is based on the knowledge that his candidate is capable of accepting criticisms, stressing how such an attitude leads to a healthy relationship between the government and its citizens.

“Tayong lahat po ang pinakamakapangyarihan sa dadating na eleksyon sa Mayo, sapagkat tayo ang maglalagay ng taong maglilingkod sa atin pero hindi pa po tapos ang ating tungkulin bilang Pilipino,” he stated. “Kailangan po natin siyang bantayan upang ang ating mga pangarap at ang kanyang pangako ay kanyang matupad, kaya ‘wag natin siyang iiwanang mag-isa sa upuan.”

(We are the ones who are the most powerful in the upcoming May elections because we will be the ones who will seat the person who will serve us. But our responsibility as Filipinos does not end there. We need to watch over her so our dreams and her promises will be fulfilled. So let us not desert her upon being seated.)

“Tayong mga Pilipino ay hindi perpekto at hindi mga santo, subalit alam natin kung papaano tumindig nang may dangal,” Arcilla added. (We Filipinos are not perfect but we know how to stand with dignity.)

Arcilla’s remarks drew public attention in social media, particularly in Twitter, with them commending the actor for living up to his Gen. Luna role in the acclaimed Jerrold Tarog film.

“We admire and applaud John Arcilla for his realistic portrayal of Gen. Luna. But tonight, I realized that his portrayal was realistic because it wasn’t just a required acting; it was real. He is real. This is real,” one @carisamarii said.

We admire and applaud John Arcilla for his realistic portrayal of Gen. Luna. But tonight, I realized that his portrayal was realistic because it wasn't just a required acting; it was real. He is real. This is real. #PasayIsPink #ArawNa10To pic.twitter.com/6hZcu3pGdg

— C ♡ (@carisamarii) April 23, 2022

“John Arcilla is definitely living his character Heneral Luna,” one @aluisking stated.

https://twitter.com/_aluisking/status/1518080998180749314

“Will never stop talking about how powerful and impactful John Arcilla’s statement/endorsement is!!! He truly embodied his role as Heneral Luna!!!!” one @msmostrequested said. “So happy and full of pride that I heard him deliver his speech live!!!!! Goosebumps!!!! Iconic!!!!!”

Will never stop talking about how powerful and impactful John Arcilla’s statement/endorsement is!!! He truly embodied his role as Heneral Luna!!!! 🇵🇭🌷💗

So happy and full of pride that I heard him deliver his speech live!!!!! Goosebumps!!!! Iconic!!!!! #IpanloNa10ParaSaLahat 🎀 pic.twitter.com/GBFG3eDrSc

— hopia (@msmostrequested) April 24, 2022

Arcilla landed the trending Twitter topics with over 80,000 tweets, along with “Heneral Luna” with over 40,000 tweets, as of writing.

Image: Twitter

Image: Twitter

Vice Ganda, Kathryn Bernardo and Liza Soberano also declared their support to the Leni-Kiko tandem in the said event. Other celebrities who have publicly expressed their support for Robredo’s presidential bid are Angel Locsin, Piolo Pascual, Daniel Padilla, Nadine Lustre, Anne Curtis, Carla Abellana, Kris Aquino and Ely Buendia, among others. JB

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