MANILA, Philippines — The cast members of the ABS-CBN series “Pamilya Sagrado” have expressed their opinions on hazing and fraternity culture, which are among the “controversial” themes tackled in the primetime action drama.
Piolo Pascual portrays Rafael Sagrado, a corrupt politician and the father of Justin (played by Grae Fernandez), who is continuing his family’s political reign. Justin forms a bond with Moises, (Kyle Echarri), despite their differences.
The Sagrado family’s name is at risk following the wrongful death of a student due to hazing that was traced to a fraternity group led by Justin. The Sagrados are doing everything to protect their sacred image and legacy as dark secrets start to unravel, jeopardizing the family’s relationship.
“If it’s for the common good, I’d do it (joining a fraternity) depending on what you have to do. I don’t believe in hazing. I mean there are other ways, I believe so. So, dun ako but if it’s for a good cause, I’d do it,” replied Piolo when asked about his thoughts on fraternities and hazing at an earlier mediacon.
For Kyle, he doesn’t personally see himself joining a fraternity. “But we entered that world (in the series). We talked to some fraternity members who were also there on set. Because of them, my eyes were opened to their world… There’s still beauty to it in their tradition.
“There are still ways to go around hazing. Siyempre hindi po talaga pwede sa bansa natin ngayon, so there’s different ways of (initiation). Di naman necessarily talaga nagpa-paddle ngayon.”
Grae (right) as Justin forms a bond with Moises, (Kyle Echarri), despite their differences.
He reiterated his stance that he will not get into fraternity, but he understands why others would do so.
Grae chimed in, “I think it really depends on your career path and your goals in life. I consulted a lawyer, a friend of mine, who joined a fraternity and went through the whole process. And he said, kailangan talaga. I think it’s a system that we live in today.”
“And it’s a reality and since it happens (in every) generation. If you really want to be integrated into, let’s say, law, which my character is on the same career path, you have to do it if you really want to get advantages in life. But the process, what (is) the means to justify the end. I think hazing in the over excess of violence is not needed, especially in this kind of scenario.
“It’s not needed. I mean in life naman po, we test everyone. We test our relationships and we test trust. We don’t necessarily use violence in those situations.”
“Why do you have to do it in a fraternity?” he opined. “I mean, especially in an educational environment, it’s not necessary. And the point of education is to learn as much as you can and to meet as much as people as you can.”
Tirso Cruz III, who plays Hon. Jaime Sagrado, the father of Rafael, also opposed hazing. “And I believe it’s being outlawed already. Pinagbabawal na talaga yung hazing.”
But he emphasized that the grand thing about being part of a fraternity is the bonding. “It’s the solidity of the friendship that grows as time progresses,” he explained.
Photos from ABS-CBN website
“I don’t know how it is because I’ve never been a member of a fraternity, but you’d notice and you’d hear from the stories, and comparatively speaking for the older ones, the ones who started it, graduated, most of them have successful businesses or some of them are lawyers and everything, but the bond between them remains strong. As strong as when it started.”
He believed that it is more of that relationship that is strengthened, just like them as actors. “If you think about it, when we do a series, the two or three months or more that we’re together, habang tumatagal, hindi niyo masyadong nano-notice, but the bonding becomes stronger,” he pointed out.
“Even more so with the fraternity… Whatever they have sworn to follow and to be part of it, they really kept it, honestly, and they honor it. So, I think, maybe I would join one, except for the hazing part.”
“Pamilya Sagrado” also stars Shaina Magdayao, Mylene Dizon, Rosanna Roces, Aiko Melendez, John Arcilla, and Joel Torre. They are joined by Daniela Stranner, Jeremiah Lisbo, Alyanna Angeles, Micaela Santos, River Joseph, Emilio Daez, Sean Tristan, Austin Cabatana, Luis Vera Perez, Dustine Mayores, Miggs Cuaderno, Valentino Jaafar, Isaiah dela Cruz, Beaver Magtalas, and Renshi de Guzman.
Lawrence Fajardo, Andoy Ranay, and Rico Navarro helm the series.
(“Pamilya Sagrado” airs at 8:45 p.m. on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, Kapamilya Online Live, and TFC. The series also streams 48 hours before its TV broadcast on iWantTFC.)
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