Open letter to Robin Padilla from a British citizen for pushing the PGT contestant to speak tagalog

In the last episode of Pilipinas Got Talent on January 13, 20-year-old Kim Jiwan asked Robin Padilla to help in with his card trick.

But Padilla refused, saying the Korean should speak the local language.

"Iho, Pilipinas Got Talent. Magtagalog ka kasi magmumukha kaming katawa-tawa kung mag e-English kami dito para sa'yo. Pilipinas Got Talent. Magtagalog ka, iho," the actor said.

Padilla came under heavy fire and got criticized by netizens.

Meanwhile, British citizen who found Philippines as home expressed his thoughts and opinion in an open letter to Robin Padilla about the incident.

Pinoy-at-heart Malcolm Conlan defended the actor and agreed to him that “If you have grown up in the Philippines and clearly called the Philippines your home, you should at least make some effort to learn the language.”

Read his full letter below:

“An Open Letter to Robin Padilla

Dear sir,

I just thought I would write to you personally to congratulate you on the patriotism and love that you have shown for your country.

As I am sure you are aware, like you, I love the Philippines very much. In fact, my greatest dream would to one day become a Filipino citizen as well as course retain my British nationality as I love both countries equally.

I have watched the clip of Pilipinas Got Talent several times where a Korean national is performing a magic set as part of his audition to the judges. The contestant explained that he had grown up in the Philippines but had not learnt Tagalog as he attended an international school.

To me, this is not really an excuse. If you have grown up in the Philippines and clearly called the Philippines your home, you should at least make some effort to learn the language. When the Korean national got into his act, clearly he can in fact understand and speak a little Tagalog.

I believe your intentions were just to coax it out of him a little. In fact, you are a comedian too and in a way was just having a little fun, whist making a valid observation. I know you very well that you love the Philippines and your fellow countrymen very much. I would like to thank you personally for being there for Filipinos across the globe.

You are an incredible ambassador for the country and a much loved icon on Philippine cinema. Thank you also so much for supporting President Rodrigo Duterte, who like yourself loves the Philippines and her people very much.

You were never racist at all, as some filipinos have claimed, in fact I truly wish others were able to be outspoken and stand up for their beliefs in a very clear and passionate manner.

Mabuhay ka sir at maraming salamat po.

Respectfully yours

Malcolm”

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Source: Facebook