Get ready for 2022’s most intriguing film that will surely pique everyone’s curiosity.
As the former first family returns to the Malacañang Palace for another seat of presidency, know the Marcoses’ side of the story about one of our nation’s most unforgettable parts of history – Maid In Malacanang is set to hit the theaters worldwide this July 20.
Produced by VIVA Films and from the brilliant mind of today’s most talked-about director, Darryl Yap, Maid in Malacañang is a dramedy film that gives us a glimpse of the last 72 hours of the Marcoses inside the Palace before fleeing to Hawaii during the 1986 People Power Revolution – a story shared through the eyes of a “reliable source.”
The film will show us the lighter and more carefree side of the First Family, that until now has never been shared with anyone. It will also introduce characters and storylines that make the First Family more relatable and normal, like other Filipino households with close family ties. It is the quintessential Filipino family sticking together, braving all odds.
During a Zoom with the entertainment press recently, the stars of "Maid In Malacanang" talked about their preparations for their roles.
Award-winning star Cesar Montano will play the role of former President Ferdinand Marcos. About his role, Cesar said: "Napakalaking challenge nito. After doing those heroes movies Andres Bonifacio, Jose Rizal, iba naman ito. This is 1986 pero last 72 hours of President Marcos in Malacanang. Sino ba ang nakakakita sa kanya, di ba? Yung mga nakita kong available video, kakaunti lang."
"Noong last look test namin, gusto ko sanang kausapin si Senator Imee one-on-one kaso I know she's doing a lot of things. Kung mamarapatin po ninyo sana Senator Imee gusto ko sana kayong makausap para magtanong po ng mga ilang question doon sa nararamdaman, how he looked (Mr. Marcos) noong last 72 hours noong kasama ninyo. Marami po akong question so sana makausap ko kayo para mabigyan ko po ng justice yung role ko at hindi ako mapahiya sa inyo na makikita talaga ninyo yung tatay ninyo sa pelikulang ito," Cesar said.
Ruffa Gutierrez is excited to play the role of former First Lady Mrs. Imelda Marcos, who she idolizes so much."Even before this project was offered to me, I've been watching a lot of documentaries on Madam Imelda because she is my favorite and that's the reason why I accepted this project. She's one of the world's most glamorous women, and she's truly an icon. The setting is 1986, but it doesn't stop me from just watching everything about her. From the time she was born to her love story, until today. I really learned something from Cesar (Montano) while we were doing the look test. Sabi n'ya, 'Ayan Ruffa lahat ng pictures pa print mo na! Matulog ka na nasa isip mo si Imelda, nasa brain mo si Imelda' kasi yun daw ang ginawa niya noon ginawa niya ang Jose Rizal. Katabi raw niya si Jose Rizal. So I'll be sleeping with Imelda on my mind until this movie is shown," Ruffa said.
Cristine Reyes said she considers the role of Senator Imee Marcos "challenging."
"Ang laki ng pressure dahil parang ito ang project ko na mabigat. Ang bigat ng bitbit ko pero nung binasa ko yung script, minamadali ko talaga yung handler ko kasi sabi ko please ibigay na ninyo 'yung script sa akin, kasi hindi biro itong gagawin ko. It's not just another film. It's history. It's part of the Philippines, so gusto ko talagang ayusin ito at galingan. With Senator Imee, pinagmamadasdan ko s'ya, bawa't kilos n'ya, bawa't salita n'ya, paano ba sya? Rolling ng eyes niya. Meron pala syang ganun. Observant talaga ako sa kanya when I met Senator Imee kasi siya ang gagampanan ko eh. It's challenging for me," Cristine said.
Hunk actor Diego Loyzaga is thrilled to portray President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
"It's hard to find a lot of videos of Sir Bongbong Marcos when he was in his 30s. Yung mga nahahanap ko naman, panay English po sya. Inglisero po talaga sya. The way he speaks English is a lot like I speak in English. His mannerisms are a lot like mine. Mas maraming video ng mga campaigns niya which is recent. I still find videos in his 30s. Ginaya ko lang paano siya magsalita na konting Tagalog niya and English. I spoke to Direk Daryl and the entire script is in Tagalog," said Diego.
Ella Cruz will play the role of Irene Marcos. "Nahirapan ako dahil kilala natin si Ms. Irene na the quiet one. Naghanap ako sa YouTube paano siya magsalita, paano ang posture niya pero ang konti. Sobra. Hindi kasi natin siya madalas nakikita. Buti na lang I tried to research at may nakita na rin ako and read some articles. Given the chance sana makausap ko rin siya."
- Controversial movie
Senator Imee Marcos said the movie "Maid In Malacanang" will uncover truths that need to be told.
"Ang masasabi ko lang ay panahon na para magkuwento kami kung ano ang nangyari sa Malakanyang, yung nalalaman namin. Hindi natin binabago ang katotohanan, dinadagdagan lamang ng kaalaman namin. I'm not looking for controversy but unfortunately there will have to be some truths told and some lies debunked finally," Imee said.
Asked to comment on the cast of the movie, Imee said: "Bongga ang cast star-studded. Natuwa naman ako."
Imee said that she had no hands in the selection of the cast, adding that she only serves as a consultant for the movie.
"Hindi na ako nakialam sa production. Back up lang ako kung ano yung tanong nila. Mas kabisado kasi nila Boss Vic (Del Rosario) and Vincent (Del Rosario) yan," she said.
Known for being a fast director, Darryl explained the reason for incorporating comedy in a movie about the EDSA Revolution.
"Lahat ng mga trahedya, may katapat na komedya. Kahit na 'yung masasakit at malulungkot na bahagi ng ating buhay nahahanapan natin ng katatawanan yun. So hindi na mahirap hanapan ng komedya ito lalo na it's a celebrated Filipino occasion. You just have to add some flavor in it. Yun ang dapat nilang abangan kung papaano nagkaroon ng katatawanan ang isang political landscape during that time," said Darryl, who has done 13 projects for VIva Films.
Darryl also said that the shoot will not only be done in Malacanang. "Hindi lahat ng oras we will shoot in Malacanang. Na foresee ko na yun. I have production designers who are acquainted with the 70s and 80s, so we will have places similar to Malacanang."
One of today’s youngest talents in the industry, Darryl is also the director behind Viva Films and Vincentiments Movie “Jowable” and numerous Vivamax Originals like Paglaki Ko, Gusto Ko Maging Pornstar, Revirginized, Gluta, and Ang Babaeng Walang Pakiramdam.
Also joining this cast are Karla Estrada, Elizabeth Oropesa, and Beverly Salviejo.
Shooting for the movie has started. Darryl said that he expects the film to be completed in less than a month.
Viva Entertainment honcho Vic Del Rosario thanked Imee for allowing them to make the dream project.
"I would like to thank senator Imee for all the help she has done in the industry, from the 70s up to today. Magkasama kami n'yan sa Metropop na actually siya ang nag-organized, Sa unang Metropop pa lamang nakilala na yung kanyang 'Anak' and senator Imee was really behind that festival on how to promote original Pilipino music. After that itinayo rin natin ang Cecil Awards na parang pinaka-local Grammy Awards natin sa PIlipinas. I hope we can continue thata again senator Imee. Of course, she was the head of Experimental Cinema of the Philippines kung saan nagawa ang mga classic movies na 'Himala,' 'Oro, Plata, Mata.' Sa ating bagong gobyerno, mas lalo sana natin mapaunlad ang Philippine entertainment industry, hindi lang sa Pilipinas kundi pati na rin sa labas ng ating bansa. I think this movie will be very memorable and will become the most viewed Filipino movie of all time," he added.