More on the ‘Maid in Malacanang’ sequel

THERE will be a sequel to Darryl Yap’s CONTROVERSIAL BOX OFfiCE HIT “MAID IN MALACANANG” AND THE MANILA TIMES CONfiRMED IT NO LESS THAN ON THE COMMEMORATION OF MARTIAL LAW ON WEDNESDAY.

In an exclusive interview with Direk Darryl just before a panel discussion entitled “Singkuwenta, Sangkuwentong Martial Law:

Pagbabalik. Pagtutuwid. Isang malayang talakayan tungkol sa batas militar” ensued, he said the sequel which is tellingly slated for February 2023 is titled “Murderer or Martyr.”

It can be recalled that the Viva Films production Maid in Malacanang took a more compassionate look into the last 72 hours of the Marcoses at the Palace before they were exiled to Hawaii. This happened in February 1986, following the success of the worldrenowned bloodless EDSA People Power Revolution. According to Direk Darryl, Murderer or Martyr will present a more comprehensive look back in history and as such focus on the accounts of the critical personalities and witnesses — other than the Marcoses and their close-in staff — who were involved in the ultimate unseating of President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. The movie will therefore go back to the events that led to the proclamation of Martial Law in 1972, all the way to 1986.

“Plainly, this is just a pagbabalik tanaw, pagtutuwid — and I’ll be speaking for myself, this is my initiative to actually come up with a very, very trustworthy re-telling of the story for my second film,” Direk Darryl told The Manila Times.

Asked why the discussion’s theme involves not only a recollection (pagbabalik) but a straightening out (pagtutuwid) of facts, the young and feisty director smiled and said, “As we all know, for the longest time, for almost four decades, wala namang side ng mga Marcoses na nailabas tungkol sa mga pangyayari (no side of the Marcoses about what happened was told). So maybe, pagbanggain natin yung dalawang sides (with a discussion like this), maybe the Filipino people can decide. We are an intelligent race so we can decide whether what we know is true or not.”

Moments later a veritable Who’s Who of military legends began to take their seats at the panel, together with Sen. Imee Marcos who hosted the event at the Marcoses’ longtime San Juan City mansion.

Leading the panel was no less than former Defense secretary and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s current Chief Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, former senators Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan and Kit Tatad, Jimmy delos Santos, Tom Lancheon, Oka Valenzuela, Ariel Quirubin, Peter Mutoc and Ka Peter of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

First, Direk Darryl asked the resource persons to define once and for all what Martial Law is. The film director noted that the presidential power has long been perceived as something detrimental to a country. Enrile and Honasan both gave the textbook definition of Martial Law, as stipulated in the 1935 constitution, that if there is any threat to the country’s peace and order, rebellion or lawlessness, the president should use this constitutional power for the sake of the nation. Hours into the discussion, the guests — mostly Enrile — lengthily recalled how the CPP-NPA had been stirring trouble in the country, resulting in violence and continued threat to peace and order.

Ka Eric said that as this lawlessness was escalating, the communist group perpetuated “the lie” that Marcos declared Martial Law so he can stay in power.

The panelists took turns in showing why the declaration of Martial Law was justified with one even apologizing to Sen. Imee Marcos for playing a part in her father’s eventual downfall.

Unfortunately, even before a debate could ensue with the likes of Honasan unable to explain why he joined the growing people power at Edsa, the sun had set on the event leaving just enough time for Sen. Imee’s response (read the full text online).

While The Manila Times would have appreciated a healthier discussion, there is one thing certain throughout this first-of-its-kind commemoration of Martial Law. As Direk Darryl said, whenever he asks Sen. Imee for anything to help the upcoming Maid in Malacanang sequel — like hooking him up with personalities he needs to research

RYAN BALDEMOR PHOTOS BY JOHN Controversial director Darryl Yap introduces the resource persons for ‘Singkuwentang Sangkuwento’ discussion — parts of which will be included in the sequel to Maid in Malacañang.

Sen. Imee Marcos recalls what her father told her about the presidential power that is martial law, “used even by American presidents” when necessary for a country’s well-being.

Leading the panel was no less than former Defense secretary and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s current Chief Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile.

Because of lengthy recollections, former senator Gringo Honasan had no time to explain why he chose to side with the people in 1986.

Ka Peter talked about CPP-NPA as the real reason for the Martial Law declaration.