Dannyka Manangan

EXCLUSIVE: Janella Salvador speaks out vs corruption; stands for LGBTQIA+ representation: ‘Sayang naman yung platform na binigay sa atin’

Article (news)

Jemuel Tandoc

Push Team

<p>Even if she could not personally attend the Trillion Peso March protests on September 21, Janella Salvador still made her voice heard against corruption during the recent Star Magic Spotlight.</p><p>In an exclusive interview with <strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong>, the actress explained why it was important for her to make a statement.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758674636114EXCLUSIVE Janella Salvador speaks out vs corruption stands for LGBTQIA+ representation Sayang naman yung platform na binigay sa atin.png" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>“Sayang naman yung platform na binigay sa atin kung di ko siya gagamitin sa tama kaya iniisip ko sana yung iba din ma-encourage din sila mag-speak up kung natatakot man sila or what. Kasi lahat naman tayo ay mamamayan ng Pilipinas. Lahat tayo nagsa-suffer. Lahat tayo naaapektuhan ng corruption. As in lahat. No one is spared from it. So I hope magkaisa talaga tayo this time para magkaroon na ng totoong pagbabago,” she expressed.</p><p>The actress-singer also opened up about why she chose to speak out, even if it meant being vulnerable to bashing from those who might disagree with her as a public figure.</p><p>“Habang tumatagal ng tumatagal, feeling ko mas naging brave din naman ako mag-speak up. Kasi nare-realize ko na sayang eh. Sayang yung binigay sa akin na reach. Ayun, habang tumatanda ko yun yung na-feel ko,” Janella said.</p><p>Aside from taking a stand against corruption, Janella has also been vocal about the importance of providing proper representation for the LGBTQIA+ community.</p><p>“Nai-enjoy ko yung interactions ko with the community. And not just that, of course, to be able to have a voice, to be able to represent. Sobrang grateful ako doon. And parang hindi ko siya tine-take for granted pag tumatanggap ako ngayon ng projects. Nagkaroon din kasi ako ng offers recently (na) Queer films after <em>Open Endings</em>,” she recalled.</p><p>She added that she has always been an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community and wants to use her platform to support them even further.</p><p>“Mine-make sure ko kasi talaga na tama yung maging representation eh. Ayoko kung basta-basta lang tumanggap ng project for the sake of it lang. Kasama rin ako, pinaglalaban ko rin. Pinaglalaban ko rin yung tamang representation,” Janella said.</p><p>Janella also recalled how some of her iconic roles, including Nikki Grace Lim in<em> Be Careful With My Heart </em>and Valentina in<em> Mars Ravelo’s Darna: The TV Series</em>, have resonated strongly with queer audiences, something she feels grateful to be recognized for.</p><p>“Happy ako na nakapasok ako sa puso ng (LGBTQIA+) community. Kasi nga, like I said, personal din naman sa akin. So, ayun, masaya. And nai-enjoy ko siyempre pag nakakapag-interact (with them) sa Twitter (now called X) ganyan,” she further shared.</p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DOI6_X0AeV0/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A121243%2C%22ls%22%3A120652.40000000596%2C%22le%22%3A121161.90000000596%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Janella is also part of <em>Open Endings,</em> a film included in this year’s Cinemalaya Film Festival, which will run starting October 3.</p>

<p>Janella Salvador is urging Filipinos, including her fellow artists, to speak up against the country’s ongoing corruption issues. The singer-actress also highlights the importance of representing the LGBTQIA+ community authentically in her latest film.</p>

Janella Salvador is urging Filipinos, including her fellow artists, to speak up against the country’s ongoing corruption issues. The singer-actress also highlights the importance of representing the LGBTQIA+ community authentically in her latest film.