Be more critical as 2022 elections near, urge Bibeth Orteza, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna

Writer, actress and director Bibeth Orteza and director Carlitos Siguion-Reyna are urging the public to use social media and be more critical with the 2022 elections just around the corner.

The couple—who have each made their mark in the theater and on the small and big screen—are featured on the latest The Mangahas Interviews, where they discussed politics and activism with journalist Malou Mangahas.  

“Mahirap gisingin ang nagtutulog-tulugan. Kung sa panahon na ito ng social media at hindi ka pa nagigising, ibig sabihin lang niyan, nagtutulog-tulugan ka,” Orteza said in the interview, which was uploaded online on Thursday.

(In this time of social media, if you’re not yet enlightened, it only means you’re choosing to stay ignorant.)

Siguion-Reyna also called on the public to not vote for candidates whose “dialogue is not the same as their actions.”

“Look at the record of the candidate kasi one thing I always teach in my film directing classes, tingnan nila ang subtext ng kandidato kasi baka iba ang sinasabi doon sa action,” he said.

(Look at the record of the candidate, because one thing I always teach in my film directing classes, they should look at the subtext of the candidate because what they’re saying might be different from their actions.)

“We have to be proactive as voters to really dig in and find information… We cannot really trust people’s words,” he added.

The Commission on Elections reopened its offices for voter registration in September last year.

Filipinos aged 18 and above and those who will turn 18 years old by May 22 can register and take part in the upcoming elections.

The registration will run until September 30, 2021. — BM, GMA News