Photos of actor Stephen Baldwin posing with President Rodrigo Duterte and members of his Cabinet are making headlines everywhere.
Many are still surprised with the Hollywood actor’s upcoming project, which will focus on the controversial topic of the drug trade in the country.
Surprise project from a surprise supporter
The 52-year-old actor-producer is in the country to shoot drug-themed movie “Kaibigan.”
Assistant Communications Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson, who has previously appeared in a number of films in minor roles, has been tapped to make a cameo appearances in the movie.
“Kaibigan” will stress the importance of family in shielding the youth from the influence of drugs and alcohol, according to a Facebook post by Uson.
Other celebrities reportedly involved in the production are actor and director Cesar Montano, actress Jean Garcia and pop duo The Perkins Twins.
Setting his sights on the Philippine setting made some question the state of Baldwin’s career.
In what other country would celebrities be falling all over in order to appear in the new Stephen Baldwin movie?
— oli r. (@ohlistic) August 3, 2018
Others have questioned the inclusion of Uson, who is known for strong views against mainstream media, and Montano, who resigned from his post as a tourism promotions official following a number of controversies.
“Kaibigan” is a movie that’s going to be directed by Cesar Montano who has yet to face his corruption charges. Starring Mocha Uson playing a journalist who is a reliable source of fake news. With an appearance by Stephen Baldwin, a Trump supporter. Logline: Drugs is bad. ?
— Monster Jimenez (@monsterjimenez) July 29, 2018
Baldwin is the youngest of four brothers known for noted careers in show business. He followed in the footsteps of older brothers Alec, Daniel and William.
His daughter Hailey, a model and television host, was recently engaged to singer Justin Bieber.
He previously starred in cult classics “Born of the Fourth of July,” “The Usual Suspects,” “Bio-dome” and “Flinstones: Viva Las Vegas”, though majority of his appearances in recent years have been confined to low budget films.
He likes Trump, too
Baldwin is known for hard-line conservative views, an offshoot of his conversion to evangelical Christianity after the 9/11 attacks. He was panned for consistently bothering other people by espousing his beliefs and reading from a copy of the Bible he carried around during his appearance in the reality show “Celebrity Big Brother.”
His political views have also alienated him from his family.
A known supporter of United States President Donald Trump, Baldwin’s relationship with eldest brother Alec has reportedly been strained since the outspoken chief of state was elected in 2016.
The youngest of the Baldwin brood has been critical of Alec’s Trump impersonation, a staple of comedy show “Saturday Night Live.”
Even his own daughter Hailey has opposed her father’s support of Trump. She admitted to having supported Trump’s opponent Hillary Clinton of the Democratic Party in the 2016 elections.
The Philippine president previously praised Trump for a similar views on the drug problem.
Some administration critics thus are not surprised about Baldiwn’s warm reception from the Philippine government. — with research from Jasmine Salanga
This here is a photo of a mediocre actor, a radical, and a Trump supporter. The other guy is Stephen Baldwin. pic.twitter.com/RlMdUpLnU3
— Miss Maggie (@MiaMagdalena) August 2, 2018
