Dingdong Dantes, on Wednesday, introduced the group AKTOR – League of Filipino Actors, which aims to partake in nation-building and voice out views on the current issues in the country. The group was created last May 30.
Dantes leads the group which includes Agot Isidro, Angelica Panganiban, Cherry Pie Picache, Gabbi Garcia, Iza Calzado, Janine Gutierrez, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Joel Torre, Khalil Ramos, Richard Gutierrez and many others.
In a Facebook Live Session on the Film Workers Unite page, Dantes praised the Inter-Guild Alliance (IGA) after it released its own set of “comprehensive” set of guidelines and protocols for film and television productions
Speaking on behalf of the Aktor group, Dantes also took his time to appreciate both ABS-CBN and GMA Network for coming up with safety measures amid the pandemic.
“Gusto ko ring i-cite ang mga productions na naksabak ngayon sa battlefield kagaya ng ABS-CBN. Sila yung nandun ngayon, nagtataping nagyon,ang Probinsyano nagtataping na rin.Sila yung cino-consider natin na frontliners in terms of really being there and getting yung mga learnings para sa ating mga guidelines, kung ano man ang sinunod. Dahil sila magsasabi,’eto nagwo-work,eto hindi.”
“Si GMA, mula nang nagsimula to they have been communicating with us para makapaglabas din sila ng set of guidelines.Kudos also for coming up with these safety measures,” Dantes said.
The Kapuso actor also responded to those who criticize celebrities for airing their opinions publicly about the current issues.
He said, “Alam niyo maraming bumabatikos sa aming mga aktor kung bakit daw kami nakikisawsaw sa mga usaping panlipunan o politikal.”
Dantes stressed that celebrities, just like ordinary citizens, can also practice freedom of expression in a democratic country.
He addressed the bashers, “May karapatan man kayong bumatikos sa main, nais naming ipaalala na ang proteksyong sinisiguro ng saligang batas sa malayang pagpapahayag ay para sa lahat ng mamamayan.”
Dantes added, “Ang karapatan ay di lamang konsepto o kaisipan. Ito ay dapat buhay sa diwa ng bawat pilipino na isang demokrasya.”
He also believed that a “continuing dialogue between citizens and the government” is necessary.
The Aktor group has expressed their opposition against the ABS-CBN shutdown, the passing of the anti-terror bill, and production guidelines from the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).
Dantes read the statement of the Aktor group: “Hindi maiwasang isipin na ang lahat ng mga nangyayari ay may layunin,” the statement said, as recited by Dantes. “Ang lahat ng mga utos na ito ay may layuning kontrolin ang daloy at esensya ng pagkwento.”
“Ang mapigilan ang paghahayag ng mga tunay na kwento ng bayan. Ang lahat ng ito ay lumilikha ng kultura ng takot.
“Madalas itinuturing na lamang ang karamihan ng mga aktor na mga manika at tau-tauhan na panlibang at nagdudulot ng saya,” it said.
“Tumitindig ang AKTOR ngayon bilang responsable at mahalagang bahagi ng lipunan at kinatawan ng industriya.”
