Romnick Sarmenta keeps eyes, ears, and voice open to the ugly truths of 'Drug War' series
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Actor Romnick Sarmenta is one of the artists who has no qualms about speaking his mind and what is in his heart, as he bravely shares insights and opinions on the many societal and political concerns and issues that affect all Filipinos. It is a no-brainer indeed why he was cast in Shugo Praico's Drug War: A Conspiracy of Silence, which is currently showing on YouTube.
"There is no fairytale ending for this series because of the fact na hindi siya tapos, e. Hindi pa siya tapos," Sarmenta said.
In his story arc in the series, Sarmenta plays a father whose son, played by Harvey Bautista, becomes a tokhang casualty.
"I feel blessed and fortunate that they asked me to do that role," Sarmenta said during the interview with an entertainment portal. "I think it was the best takeoff point to open up about the tragedies that happened during the tokhang season, and it's an honor to play that role."
Sharing his realizations after playing the role, Sarmenta said:
"Siguro, siguro ang mahirap kasi doon sukatin or bantayan is 'yung general safety ng mga anak mo, e. As a parent, that’s always my fear. I mean, recently lang, may mga nababasa tayo sa mga paaralan, 'yung mga kaganapan na hindi natin nagustuhan. The fear, as a parent, is always present because I cannot shield and protect my kids all the time."
Sharing his thoughts on untimely deaths and violence in schools, Sarmenta said:
"Madaling sisihin ang mga bagay na flying in the air, e."
"Katulad n'un, 'pag sinabi, 'Ahh droga ang dahilan niyan.' 'Ahh ganito 'yan.'"
"Pero may programa ba tayo para turuan ang mga estudyante kung paano igalang 'yung baril?"
"May programa ba tayo para pigilan at bantayan kung sino ang nagkakaroon ng baril?"
"May programa ba tayo na nagsasabing safe 'yung mga anak natin sa loob ng paaralan?"
"May programa ba tayo para sa pagbabantay ng kasiguraduhan no'ng mga neurological exams natin sa mga nagpupulis, sa mga nag-a-apply magkaroon ng firearms?"
"Lahat ba 'yun sigurado natin na in place, na maayos?"
"Madaling manisi, e. Madaling makakita ng dahilan. Pero hangga’t hindi natin napag-aaralan kung saan siya nagmula, ano ang pinanggalingan — hindi natin puwedeng sabihin na nakahanda tayo, e."
"Madali ring sabihin, kasalanan ng magulang. Puwede nga nating sabihin, kasalanan ng video games."
"Pero singkuwenta y kuwatro anyos na po ako, nagbi-video game pa rin ako, wala pa akong sinasaktang tao. 'Di ba?"
"I mean, 'yung context, maraming bagay na puwedeng sabihin. And until ma-figure out natin kung ano 'yung dapat talaga nating i-address at paano siya ia-address nang tama — hindi 'yung band-aid solution."
"Hindi 'yung tataasan natin ng ganito, babawalan natin ng ganito. Hindi 'yun ang solusyon, e."
"Ang solusyon, tinuruan ba natin sila from the very beginning? At ginagawa ba natin 'yung tama para sa kanila?" Sarmenta ended with a thought-provoking question.
