Robin Padilla stops traffic in family planning information drive

MANILA, Philippines - Action star Robin Padilla caused a stir among residents and motorists when he walked several meters along Commonwealth Avenue yesterday for an information drive in a Quezon City barangay.

But while other celebrities are earning money campaigning for politicians running in May, he said he was there to campaign for his advocacy – family planning.

The movie actor, who drew cheers from participants of the march – mostly women – said with candidates promising practically everything to voters, Filipinos should not depend on the statements of politicians.

“We can (address poverty) not by depending on a politician but if we help each other,” he told residents of Barangay Commonwealth. “We shouldn’t make the future of our children dependent on other people.”

Padilla, the celebrity spokesman for the Trust Family Program, stressed the need for couples to discuss family planning for the welfare of their children. He stressed the slogan: “Mag-usap, magdesisyon, umaksyon (Talk, decide, act).”

“I’m not a politician. I’m with the Trust Family Program. I’m here not because I am being paid. I’m here because I believe in their cause,” he said.

Jojo Ampeloquio, head of program management of Trust Family Program, said the aim of the campaign was to give couples information and the chance to choose the family planning method that suits them.

Ampeloquio said there had been other campaigns in different areas in the past, but yesterday’s activity had a much bigger turnout when Padilla, who bacame the face of the campaign only recently, joined them for the first time.

Ampeloquio explained that under the program, different teams would go around different villages to disseminate information.

“We all know that one of the reasons for poverty is having too many children without enough resources,” he told The STAR. “We hope that with this program, couples will learn to talk (about family planning).”   – Reinir Padua