Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
Previously, we wrote about “Loyalista,” the movie, and how it gives the public a rare glimpse of the Marcoses’ life in exile in Hawaii with Imelda Papin. Recently, the famous singer announced that she and her team have decided to remove the word “loyalista” from her biopic to make it more appealing to people of opposing political beliefs in preparation for its international release.
“Yung original po talaga is Loyalista: The Untold Story of Imelda Papin. Nagkaroon po ng desisyon ang Queenstar Film Productions with the permission of our director, Gabby Ramos. na mas magandang gamitin yung ‘The Untold Story of Imelda Papin’ since it is my movie at para mayakap natin ang lahat ng mga Filipinos all over the world,” the singer and former politician explained
Imelda, or “Mel,” admitted that she pushed for the change in title to appease her fans who were not pro-Marcos and were wary of the term “loyalist.”
“Ang dami po nila na gustong manood dahil mga tagahanga ko rin po sila. Part po sila ng success ng Imelda Papin. Kaya, sabi nila, mabuti na lang Imelda Papin: The Untold Story,” the singer and ex-politician recounted.
(Many of them wanted to watch it because they’re my fans. They’re part of Imelda Papin’s success, and they were relieved when the movie’s title changed to my name.)
“Natuwa sila ngayon dahil parang nami-misinterpret yung loyalista. Hindi po, ang loyalista word ay para sa atin po lahat yun. Nagkataon lang na parang nagamit nga ng Marcos group yun, yung loyalista kagaya po namin. Pero, ito po ay para sa ating lahat ng mga Filipinos,” she stated.
(They’re happy because many people misinterpret the term ‘Loyalista.’ It’s not true. The term is for all of us. It just so happened that pro-Marcos groups like us adopted it. But in reality, this movie is for all Filipinos.)
The singer revealed that her daughter, Maffi Carrion, encouraged her to make a movie about her life.
“Sinabi ni Mafi, it’s about time, mama. Karamihan kasi na nagagawang movie ng isang artista, isang sikat na singer, or entertainer, or isang malaking pangalan sa movie industry, ay after ng namatay, di ba? Normally ganun eh. So, ikaw ay buhay na buhay, ikaw ay nandyan pa, minamahal ka ng mga Filipinos, bakit hindi mo gawin na ang buhay mo at i-share mo sa kanila? So, ito po ang nangyari,” Imelda recounted.
(My daughter told me it’s about time. Most movies about celebrities are made after they die. That’s what usually happens. She told me that ‘you’re very much alive and loved by many Filipinos, why don’t you make your movie and share it? ‘ That’s why this happened.)
The next order of the day was to make the movie as realistic and factual as possible.
“Syempre, pag kinukwento mo yung buhay mo, ikukwento mo yung totoo. That is why it is the Untold Story. Na marami po sa inyong mga Filipinos, especially mga fans, mga followers, ay hindi po alam ang lahat na nangyari sa buhay ko. Dahil hindi naman ko naman dinivulge lahat yun eh. Especially yung participation ng buhay ni Imelda Papin sa Marcos family. It was actually, sobrang preparation po namin dito. It took us almost a year para matapos po ito. Dahil talagang ang gusto ng director namin, yung totoo ang dapat lumabas. Yung mga sasabihin, kailangan eksakto at totoo,” Imelda narrated.
(Of course, when you tell your life story, you tell the truth. That is why it is the Untold Story. Many Filipinos, especially my fans and followers, do not know everything that happened in my life because I didn’t disclose everything—especially Imelda Papin’s participation in the Marcos Family’s life. We have done a lot of preparation for this aspect. It took us almost a year to finish it because our director wanted everything to be truthful and factual.)
The singer bared that her biopic had the blessings of the First Family and the rest of the Marcoses, including the matriarch Imelda.
“Maraming salamat po sa ating President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at sa kanyang pamilya. Bago po namin ginawa ito, nagpaalam din po kami kay the former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos. Nandoon din si Senator Imee. Nandoon din si Irene at the whole family. Kaya, hindi ko naman po ito gagawin kung wala kang permiso sa kanila,” she noted.
“Actually po, yung story sa Hawaii, basta sabi ko, sasabihin ko lang kung ano nangyari when I was with them. Hindi ko naman pwedeng gawin o sabihin sa pelikula yung hindi ko nakita at kung wala ako doon. Kung ano lang yung na-experience ko, yun po ang inilagay ko sa pelikula. Para makita ng buong bansa at ng mga Filipinos na ganoon sila kabait at kung paano sila yumakap ng kagaya namin,” she stressed.
(I just wanted to recount everything that happened in Hawaii. I can’t possibly do or say anything which I have not seen myself. I only put what I have personally experienced in the movie so that the Filipinos can see how nice and welcoming the Marcoses were.)
More than her association with the Marcoses, Imelda pointed out that she wanted her story of struggles and success to inspire others, especially today’s younger generation.
“The Untold Story of Imelda Papin’ is scheduled for local commercial and international release. Watch out for the announcement. The movie stars Claudine Barretto, Alice Dixson, ER Ejercito, Gary Estrada, Mafi Carrion, Zac Papin, Angelica Jones, Aileen Papin, Blumark Roces, Kanisha Santos, Amay Bisaya, Mayor Marcos Mamay, Julian Roxas, Allysa Dela Peña, Ruby Flores, Pantene Palanca, and Angelo Santiago.) — Lizst Torres Abello
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Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph
