Romnick Sarmenta calls out power play, exploitation in showbiz

The veteran actor opens up about power abuse, workplace safety, and the importance of protecting performers in the entertainment industry.

Veteran actor Romnick Sarmenta is calling attention to the power dynamics in showbiz, warning that young performers should not have to choose between protecting themselves and keeping their jobs.

“I have heard many stories of young people being exploited one way or the other,” Sarmenta said in an exclusive chat with radar Entertainment for his latest film, “Los Salvajes Bravos.”

“And I don’t mean it doesn’t have to be a predatorial, sexual kind of exploitation. Sometimes it’s financial exploitation. Sometimes it’s just time.”

Having worked in the entertainment industry since he was 4 years old, when he began playing Peping in the television drama “Gulong ng Palad,” Sarmenta said power can easily shift and become dangerous when people do not know how to handle it.

“I think it’s safe to say that in any industry there’s power play. Power is a strange dynamic. People don’t realize how easily it can shift, how dangerous it can become,” he said.

“Some would abuse it, some would deny it, some would misuse it. Pero kakaunti ang marunong magtemper ng sarili at ng kakayahan at kapangyarihan na meron sila.”

Power plays in showbiz

Sarmenta said he has seen situations in which actors could benefit from refusing work when exhaustion threatens their well-being, but fear of losing opportunities keeps them from speaking up.

“Sometimes, may mga actors ako na gusto kong sabihin, ‘Humindi ka! Umayaw ka sa susunod na schedule mo dahil wala kang tulog. Mamatay ka bago ka mag-trenta,’” he said.

He understands why some performers hesitate to turn down work, especially when they worry about jeopardizing their careers. But he believes that fear should not be part of the job.

“Hindi mo dapat maramdaman ‘yan. You should never feel like your future, your craft is threatened by what someone holds about you,” Sarmenta said.

“Because if you really want to be here, if you really like this job, if you really want this craft, dapat pinangangalagaan ka. Hindi pwedeng todo pasa lahat.”

Learning to say ‘no’

Sarmenta cited his experience with Clever Minds, Inc., a film and tv production company whose team he trusts to review scripts and support his career. “They always ask me, ‘Kaya mo?’ Or ‘gusto mo?’ Or ‘comfortable ka ba?’ That’s important to me,” he said.

The actor admitted that he sometimes wants to keep working without slowing down, but appreciates having people who look out for him.

“I know that there’s a safety net. Alam kong may nagbabantay sa akin. May sumasalo sa akin. Pero hindi lahat may gano’n eh,” he said.

Having that support gives him peace of mind and allows him to concentrate on his performance instead of worrying about whether his working conditions will take a toll on him.

Sarmenta also entrusts his team with reviewing projects and assessing the people he will work with. He said their support allows him to pursue opportunities while knowing someone has his back.

A safety net

Sarmenta plays Ismael Alzate in Paolo Dy’s “Los Salvajes Bravos,” a historical epic and one of eight official entries in the 2026 Metro Manila Film Festival, which opens in cinemas on Dec. 25.

He initially saw the role as an opportunity to learn Spanish, but the story’s parallels with contemporary Filipino experiences eventually struck him.

“It feels like you’re an OFW,” he said.

“You start feeling like, ganito ‘yong pakiramdam noong nangarap ka ng magandang buhay para sa pamilya mo, para sa mga mahal mo, or nangarap ka para sa bansa mo. Only to see each of those dreams crushed by the reality of what’s happening around you.”

Sarmenta hopes audiences will recognize themselves in the characters and reflect on the ideals they embrace.

“Not only with dreams of working abroad but more importantly how we cling on to ideals that are presented to us and hopefully how we wake up from it,” he said.

Produced by JesCom Films, “Los Salvajes Bravos” is based on the 1887 exposition in Madrid, Spain, where Igorot people were brought to be exhibited. The film also stars Ruru Madrid, with Michael de Mesa, Christian Vasquez, Jojit Lorenzo, Arnold Reyes, Elora Españo, Aya Sarmiento, Paolo O’Hara, Michael Roy Jornales, Andreas Muñoz, Javier Godino and other Filipino and Spanish actors in the ensemble.

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