Ben Madilynn
Isa sa adbokasiyang isinusulong ni Rovilson Fernandez ay ang anti-Asian hate campaign.
Maraming Asians ang nakaranas ng di-makataong pagtrato mula sa mga dayuhan habang naninirahan o nagbabakasyon sa ilang Western countries tulad ng U.S.
Ilan sa mga insidenteng ito ay nauwi pa nga sa pagkakapaslang ng ilang Asyano dahil sa matinding pisikal na pananakit.
Sa eksklusibong panayam ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) kay Rovilson sa nakaraang presscon ng I Heart PH nung nakaraang September 17 sa grand ballroom ng B Hotel, inamin nito na minsan nang naging biktima siya ng Asian hate mula sa isang Amerikana nung panahon ng pandemya.
“I experienced Asian hate when I was back in the States during the pandemic. It was around 2021-2022.
“I was walking down a street in San Francisco, the place that I always walk in because it’s my hometown, and for the first time in my life, I experienced racism.
“There was this lady, she’s not Asian, walked by me and I smiled at her and she spit on my face!
“I never thought… and I was shocked that I would experience that, especially I’m an American in my own hometown pa.”
Ayon pa kay Rovilson, mali at unfair ang mga nangyayaring ito dahil napakalaki ng ambag ng mga tulad nating mga Asyano para mabuo at tumatag ang industriya ng isang bansa.
“Yes, I am an advocate for awareness of anti-Asian hate. We’re all equal. We’re all equal people, we’re all God’s children. I just experienced it firsthand, it was shocking but I think we can be better as humans.
“It’s unfair especially Asians are the ones who build America. Asians built that country. We’re building all over the nation. It’s us Asians, especially Pinoys, who are very vital in the industry.”
Hindi rin itinago ni Rovilson na may kaba siyang nararamdaman para sa mga magulang na naninirahan sa San Francisco hanggang ngayon.
“My parents are they’re in their 80s and they used to walk every day. I’m always worried that something might happen to them.
“For me, since we are all about good vibes, if I do something good to people, hopefully, they’ll do good to my parents. Somebody will save them or no harm will go to them.
“I’m all about karma and good vibes, treating others right. Karma will go back to my parents.”
Rovilson and Drey David’s engagement
Nang kumustahin naman namin ang relasyon nila ng fiancée na si Drey David nagkuwento ang dating Asia’s Got Talent host na ine-enjoy niya nang husto ang pagsasama nila ngayon at pinaplano na nila ang pagpapakasal sa U.S. sa darating na October 1, 2024.
Na-engage sina Rovilson at Drey nung Sept. 26, 2023 sa harap ng Riijkmuseum sa Germany.
“We are living together now. We remodeled our first home together. We’re living at it now. I’m just enjoying being engaged, enjoying having a family, it’s all very new to me but I’m excited for this journey.
“We’re getting married this October 1, malapit na. It will be in the States, civil ceremony and then reception here in the Philippines. We’ll do it there muna and then we’ll bring it back here kasi we want to celebrate with our loved ones here in the Philippines.
“It’s the best country to celebrate not just Christmas but also weddings, di ba?”
Masayang pagbabahagi rin ng TV host, alam niya sa kanyang puso na natagpuan na niya talaga ang babaeng nilaan ng tadhana para sa kanya.
“It’s still in the honeymoon stage. We’re still in the honeymoon stage even though we’ve been together for so long.
“We’ve been together for ten years, we just get stronger and stronger every year and our relationship lasted longer than most marriages and I’m happy about that.
“She’s someone I wanna grow old with, she understands me and accepts me and I understand her and accept her.”
Tinanong din namin si Rovilson kung ano ang maibabahagi niya na sikreto sa masaya at matatag na relasyon nila ni Drey, lalo’t marami sa mga relasyon ngayon ang nauuwi sa hiwalayan.
“In my experience, of course, number one is communication. I know it’s a very trendy word to say but it means a lot when you communicate.
“When you communicate your feelings, your needs, your wants, your desires, and it’s a two-way street.
“Other than that, have a good foundation of values. We have family values, family of course is number one.
“Sense of humor, and that’s one of the foundations of our relationship. Trust, respect, accountability.”
May balak na rin kayang magka-baby sina Drey at Rovilson pagkatapos ng kanilang kasal?
“I got the go signal, may go signal na, so yeah, hopefully.
“We’re not gonna pressure ourselves. We already have a daughter, so I’d love another one, another child but no pressure.”
what about marc?
Bestfriend at laging co-host niya sa ilang shows si Marc Nelson. Marami ang nagtatanong kung may partisipasyon daw kaya ang kanyang kaibigan sa nalalapit na kasal niya.
“No, hindi, it’s very simple. We’re actually very shy and we’re very private when it comes to our vows. We want to do it together amongst ourselves lang. The celebration of course will be here.
“Well, Marc is mad that I didn’t marry him but he understands naman… Ha-ha-ha-ha! He has a very good replacement, si Drey, my fiancée.”
Nang kumustahin namin ang pagkakaibigan nila ni Marc, inamin nito na hindi na sila gaanong nagkakasama ng kaibigan pero nanatili namang matatag ang kanilang samahan.
“It’s unfortunate we don’t hang out just like before. Siyempre we can’t be the barkada anymore but Marc and Drey get along like, they’re also BFFs and that’s what I love.
“We see each other once in a while… family functions, barkada functions, I ride motorcycle with him once a week. Our friendship is still strong and I wish we could be together, but who knows?
“The world has been very generous to us. Let just things happen, he’s doing fine, he’s doing great, he’s living his best life.”
grateful for the blessings
Matagal na ring napapanood sa ilang shows gaya ng Ang Pinaka, Asia’s Got Talent, at iba pa, excited si Rovilson na muli siyang mapapanood sa lifestyle and travel show na I Heart PH, co-host si Valerie Tan at mapapanood tuwing Linggo, 10:00 ng umaga sa GTV.
“I Heart PH is a travel/lifestyle show, it’s been on for nine years, hosted by me and Valerie Tan.
“We interview experts from architects, engineers, real estate agents, and everyone involved in the whole industry. It’s really exciting.
“Siyempre naman we know how Pinoys love DIY, we love doing DIY, we’re very good with our hands, sobrang resourceful, pero now it’s time to do it right. To do it where you hire the right people, you consult the right people. That’s what we wanna showcase.”
Labis naman ang pasasalamat ni Rovilson sa naging journey niya bilang isang host. Hanggang ngayon nga ay patuloy pa rin siyang kinukuha ng mga TV network.
“It’s been an absolute blessing to have the support, I started with ABS-CBN, Studio 23, and now GTV.
“The feeling of being appreciated, and wanted, I’m grateful. To have another show again with my mother network, GMA News, it’s been a blessing talaga.
“I love what I do. Hosting is something I’m good at and I want to keep improving.
“The best part is I can use this platform now to spread my advocacy.”
