Nadine Lustre has secured her spot as a respected actress in the entertainment scene ever since her rise to stardom. However, most of what she’s known for isn’t just restricted to the big screen, but for what she’s been doing off camera and off the record, as well.
Though we all loved her as Eya in her iconic movie Diary ng Panget, or Leah in her teleserye with former partner James Reid, On the Wings of Love, Nadine’s star power extends beyond her acting projects as she continually shows her followers both her unfettered and relatable personality in real life and her kind heart behind the scenes. It’s a combination that’s won the actress the nickname of the Philippines’ (or the internet’s) president from adoring fans and impressed onlookers online.
Need a refresher? Here are 8 times Nadine Lustre acted like the feisty yet generous president we never had:
1. When she gave everyone a reality check
Who could forget one of Nadine’s most memeable quotes of the last decade? Nadine gave reporters a reality check in what soon became one of her famous lines when she was asked if she and then-boyfriend James Reid were already living together. "I mean, if that was true, so what? Hindi ba? It's not new anymore," she reminded them. "It's normal na eh. Come on, guys, it's 2017!"
2. When she donated for the Metro Manila Pride March in 2019
Nadine was one of the many stars who attended and supported the LGBTQIA+ community during the Metro Manila Pride March way back in 2019. What was most notable of her presence during that year was how her fans found out she was one of the event’s donors. She reportedly contributed an undisclosed amount under the name "Alexis Lustre."
Fun Fact: Nadine’s complete name is Nadine Alexis Paguia Lustre!
3. When she joined a movement to stop the stigma on mental health
Last October 2020, Nadine, Liza Soberano, and Yassi Pressman came together to join Mind You, an organization dedicated to spreading mental health awareness in the Philippines. During an interview, Nadine explained that "[Mind You] is a platform for mental health. The easiest way to describe it is that it's a platform that will make [access to] therapists or psychologists easier and cheaper." Presently, the organization is still up and running, sharing many pieces of advice and guidance across all their social media pages.
4. When she organized a concert for Pride 2021
Proving she’s a steadfast ally, during 2021’s Pride month, Nadine organized a concert co-presented by TaskUs for the Home for the Golden Gays Foundation, where she raised funds to support displaced drag artists and the elderly gay community. With Nadine’s love for drag queens, she certainly didn’t grace the stage all alone. The event also included performances by local drag queens: Vinas DeLuxe, Lady Gagita, and Andy Crocker.
5. When she stood with Masungi Georeserve to save the environment
While Nadine has always been very vocal with her love for the environment, words aren’t always enough and she is well aware of that. Last June 2021, she was spotted at the Masungi Georeserve as an honorary park ranger advocating for reforestation and to rehabilitate the Upper Marikina Watershed.
6. When she aided in relief operations after Typhoon Odette
By the end of 2021, Filipinos were distraught over the grave tragedy left by Typhoon Odette. One of the places severely affected was Siargao Island, where Nadine had been living for most of 2021. Once again, Nadine wasn’t just all talk online. The actress actually stepped outside to lend a hand with relief efforts, while partnering with For The Future in spreading awareness on ways to help those affected by the typhoon.
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7. When she opened a discussion about teaching environmentalism in schools
Ever since Typhoon Odette hit the Philippines, Nadine, aside from helping out onsite, has called for a collective effort to do better through environmental education, opening a discussion on Twitter. “ENVIRONMENTALISM should be a curriculum in school,” she said in a tweet. Elaborating her point, the actress explained, “It should be taught at a very young age + continuously so kids grow up being aware and compassionate with everything that coexists with us.”
8. When she urged to have more “civilized” arguments online
Just before New Year’s Eve, Nadine received backlash pointed at her relief efforts for those affected by Typhoon Odette. The actress was accused of only caring for the typhoon’s victims out of concern for her boyfriend who lives in Siargao, Christopher Bariou. Other people resorted to calling Nadine and her actions ingenuine, leading to verbal attacks targeted at her, which she, of course, didn’t let slip.
In a recent Twitter post, she educated her followers about how things can be better communicated and dealt with when it comes to online discourse, saying "This 2022 avoid arguing with people who resort to “bobo”, “tanga” or blocks [you] in a convo. Let's be civilized and have proper conversations like human beings. She then followed this up with another tweet: “2022 na, asal imburnal pa rin.”
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