Being a registered nurse himself, Kapuso actor Rocco Nacino certainly has a say on the hot issue involving one who has allegedly taken a stab at Filipino nurses, even if unintentionally.

“Ouch! Well, nakakasama ng loob coming from a nurse na trinabaho ko para pumasa sa board exam and I was hoping na makapag-practice din sa hospital. Hindi naman lahat ganun, eh,” said Rocco during a media visit to the set of “Bayan Ko,” a six-part series that premieres on GMA News TV tomorrow night.

The exact words of the senatoriable uttered on a news program recently that got the nurses’ ire was: “Actually, hindi kailangan ng mga nurse na matapos ng BSN. Kasi itong ating mga nurse gusto lang nilang maging ‘room nurse.’ Or sa America and in other countries, e ano lang sila, ’yung parang mag-aalaga. Hindi naman sila kailangan ganoon kagaling.”

The person who said it has since apologized for “the confusion” that her statement has made and she has written the Philippine Nurse Association to clarify that there was no “intention to belittle anyone, least of all, the valiant members of the nursing” and that “the 30-second limit for me to answer the question posed on the news program was too short to give the complete details surrounding the issue.”

Rocco said: “Kasi siyempre as a nurse, medyo na-offend din ako dun kahit papaano. Parang ’di rin biro ‘yung four years…. marami naman sa ‘min ang tinatrabaho ‘yun para magkaroon ng degree, diploma, pumasa sa board exam… pero nag-sorry na naman siya.”

‘Bayan Ko’

The Kapuso talent is more abreast with current events lately, specially since his role on “Bayan Ko” is that of an idealistic new mayor whose efforts of fighting corruption are being thwarted by a political dynasty.

Sounds familiar?

“Wala… fictional ’yung ano (role). Wala siyang naging peg,” Rocco said, smiling.

Rocco is thankful to have bagged the role especially since “ang daming aral akong napulot dito, tapos na-appreciate ko ang politics.  I got more than money (kundi) experience, lessons.”

Asked if he had to research on the character considering it’s not something he has done before, Rocco admitted that he talked to people in the know and even the city administrator of Pasig just so he’d have a clear idea of a mayor’s duties and responsibilities. The actor hopes that “Bayan Ko” would serve to remind people that with good governance “may hope pa rin, na kaya natin ’yan” even in times of crisis.

“It’s nice to be positive, to be optimistic.”

Rocco has no plans of entering politics, though, saying that it’s a very stressful job with lots of problems every day. “Ayaw ko nang sumali sa ganyan,” he quipped.

“Bayan Ko” is said to be a groundbreaking television project that is shot entirely on high definition and, unlike most television dramas, goes through the color grading process. The series is directed by Adolfo Alix, Jr. and airs at 6:30 p.m. on Channel 11.