Former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno declared that he has completely moved on after his defeat in the 2022 presidential elections, reason why he agreed to play the role of the late opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. in the upcoming film "Martyr or Murderer" (MoM) where Sen. Imee Marcos is the executive and creative producer.

"Wala akong ampalaya sa buhay,Sa bawat eleksyon, may nananalo, may natatalo. It just so happened ako yung natalo and that's it. The next day, there is new day, new life. I've moved on," the actor, popularly known as "Yorme" stressed during the grand media conference of the movie which is showing in theaters on March 1. "Martyr or Murderer" is directed by millennial filmmaker Darryl Yap who also handled "Maid in Malacanang."

(I have no bitterness in life. In every election, there are winners and there are losers. It just so happened I lost and that's it.)

Isko pointed out that he has no beef against the Marcoses and revealed that President Bongbong is a "friend."

"Alam nila na produkto nila ako. The mom, (former First Lady) Imelda Marcos built Tondo High School where I graduated ," said the former politician, whose rags-to-riches story started with his childhood in the slums before he was discovered in the movies.

As far as his craft is concerned, Isko noted that he's "happy and honored" to portray the role of Ninoy who was "declared by the state as a hero," no less.

"It's not about the money," Isko said about his involvement in MoM. "It's an honor to portray a role which is not common and is part of history. Participating in such a character is a humbling experience for me."

During the mediacon, Senator Imee shared how she was highly skeptical of Isko accepting the role of Ninoy, an idea which was first brought up by Darryl. "I told Direk, maganda yan (idea) pero di nya yan tatanggapin. Nagulat ako ng bongga-bongga nung tinanggap nya!"

(I told Darryl, it's a good idea but Isko will not accept it. That's why I was surprised to the hilt when he agreed to the role.)

Isko intimated that he had no qualms about accepting the project, which is his first major role after a long time, when he laid low in show business to become the chief executive of the Philippines' capital.

"In fairness to Boss Vic (del Rosario of Viva Films, the movie's producer) and Direk Darryl, they went out of their way to talk to me in BGC and I said yes immediately," Isko revealed.

Doing the movie, the director and cast members were all praises for Yorme's professionalism. He was even on the set a day before the shooting to do an ocular.

"I do it as a matter of practice. We were brought up by Kuya Germs (his mentor, German Moreno) in the past that it's better to wait than to be waited on," Isko replied.

He bared that he studied in "Youtube University" to prepare for the role of Ninoy. "I watched the speeches of Senator Ninoy and I picked it up from there. I also asked Direk Darryl and he guided me, particularly the facial reactions and mannerisms," the former mayor said.

Darryl has stated that MoM is the second part of the trilogy about the Marcoses. A highlight of "Martyr or Murderer" is the historical meeting between Imelda and Ninoy while the latter was in exile in the US. The role of Imelda is played by beauty queen-actress Ruffa Gutierrez while Cesar Montano portrays the late President Marcos..

According to the New York Times archives, the real-life meeting occurred on May 21, 1983 at the Philippine Center in New York City where the former First lady tried to dissuade Ninoy from going back to the Philippines because of threats to his life.

Isko opined that "there's always two sides to a coin." He praised the movie for presenting a side that "people did not hear about, or watch, for the past 37 years."