Darryl Yap Speaks

Content creator-turned filmmaker, Darryl Yap pleaded for viewers and critics to see Maid in Malacañang first, before giving it a negative critique. The director, senator Imee Marcos, and Viva Entertainment’s Vic del Rosario spoke on a virtual conference last week, where they shed light on details and issues surrounding the big-budgeted project.

One of the questions the producers and the director had to tackle is whether or not the film is a mere effort to revise history, particularly the former and late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Senator Imee Marcos, the eldest child, clarified that they are merely adding new information that the public still does not know. She admitted, however, that there may be some lies that will debunk in the film.

“Sa isipan namin, for me, at sa aking pamilya, panahon na na magkwento kami kung ano ang nangyari sa Malacañang—yung nalalaman namin. Hindi natin binabago ang katotohanan, dinadagdagan lamang ng kaalaman namin.

(In my mind, for my family and for me), it’s about time that we told them about what really happened in Malacañang. We are not trying to change the truth; we are simply adding new pieces of information based on what we know)”.

“Nilalahad lang namin iyong alam namin. We’re not revising anything. It’s totally inaccurate to say that. We’re simply explaining to some degree, kung ano ‘yung mga pangyayari noong huling tatlong araw. Sa palagay ko may karapatan naman ang Pilipino, ang sambayanan, na malaman kung ano ang mga nangyari sa loob ng palasyo noong mga panahon na ;yun.

(We’re merely telling what we know, what really happened during those final three days. I really believe the Filipino people deserve to know what really happened at the Palace during those days)”.

Yap, on the other hand, said he can’t fathom those who accuse him and the film of revising history. He called his critics ‘losers’.

“Sa palagay ko, kung sino man ang nagsasabi non, hindi kami magkakaintindihan kasi hindi ako sanay magsalita sa lengguwahe ng mga talunan eh. Hindi ako masyadong well-versed in ‘loser’s speaking’.

I assume whoever says that it won’t be possible for us to communicate with each other clearly, as I don’t speak their language. I’m not well-versed in the loser’s language)” he said.

The director expressed his confusion over his work being critiqued even before its completion.

 “If there’s nothing to critique pa, I don’t think I can critique na. It’s like giving judgment to a person you don’t know. Paano ka makakahusga sa isang bagay na hindi pa tapos? Paano mo huhusgahan ang isang tao na hindi mo pa kilala. I think it’s a loser mentality”

He also insisted that between him and his critics, it is probably them who need some revising.

“Sa palagay ko, kung sino man iyong nagsasabing it’s historical revisionism, sila ‘yung may mga malalaking multo ng nakaraan at ‘yun ang kailanagn nilang I-revise, kasi bago natin mabigyan ng tamang critique ang isang panoorin at babasahin, ang isang item ng sining, kailangan muna itong mabuo at magawa.

“(I think, whoever accuses me of historical revisionism, it is them who have big ghosts of the past that are in need of getting revised. I really believe that before you can critique a film or a story, you need to watch and read it first. An item of the arts need to be completed first).”

Yap promised that the film won’t simple be about the Marcoses, and a family film that shows family dynamics, and relationships when put under pressure. The film is slated to be released on July 20.