Michael de Mesa, Rafael Rosell share their thoughts on actors entering politics

Michael de Mesa has no plans of entering politics, while Rafael Rosell said that should he eye to do so, he will prepare well for it.

On Friday’s “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” Michael said that politics is not his cup of tea and that he knows it will change him.

“Because knowing our kind of politics, you come in with good intentions, but you get swallowed up by the system. So I’d rather continue being who I am, quiet in my own private cocoon,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rafael shared that, having a long interest in being able to help others, he observes the system.

“I can see naman the puzzle pieces that I can put my input, kaso lang, until I have the proper education sa economy or proper leadership and political science, until then, siguro hindi. And once you see me studying those, for sure may balak ako,” he said.

They were also asked for their take on actors being discriminated against for vying for a spot in politics.

“‘Yun nga eh, nagkakaroon ng discrimination,” Michael said. “Although meron naman talagang marunong, I mean ‘di ko naman lalahatin, meron naman talagang masasabi kong qualified na gustong makatulong, gustong mag-serve sa bayan, at meron ding hindi.”

But according to Michael, one doesn’t necessarily have to join politics if they want to help and serve.

Rafael added that there are natural-born leaders among us.

“With the right intention, with the right motivation and education, you can go for that,” he said.

Michael also addressed the notion that actors should stay in the showbiz industry only.

“There’s always this statement na aaminin ko masakit, kasi ‘pag sinabing artista, kadugtong ‘yung salitang ‘lang.’ Pare-pareho tayong Pilipino, pare-pareho tayong nagbabayad ng buwis, pare-pareho tayong nagta-trabaho nang marangal, so bakit hindi natin bigyan ng pagkakataon ang isang ‘artista lang’ na gustong manilbihan sa bayan,” he said.

Michael and Rafael currently star together in “Forever Young” with Euwenn Mikaell.

Michael is also part of the MMFF entry “Green Bones” starring Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid.

— Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News