The controversial movie “Maid in Malacañang,” which has sparked bitter debates among directors, Martial Law victims and supporters of the Marcoses and Aquinos, finally opens today in cinemas nationwide.

Produced by Viva Films, the Darryl Yap movie makes no bones about his use of artistic license in revisiting the last three days of the Marcoses in the country’s seat of power amid the 1986 People Power revolution. Working closely with Sen. Imee Marcos as his consultant, there have been growing fears that the movie ultimately aims to re-write history, what with President Bongbong Marcos now back at the palace.

Following a red carpet premiere last Friday at SM The Block, those who have condemned the movie based on the few trailers released may just realize they may have judged Maid in Malacañang too quickly.

Presented from the point of view of three maids working for the First Family, their characters are supposedly based on real people who witnessed the end of the Marcos era. Beverly Salviejo, Karla Estrada and Elizabeth Oropesa portray the title roles of the maids in Malacañang. Expect them to bring on the laughs.

Meanwhile, on the issue of ticket buying and distributing rippling all around at this time, the cast and crew of the movie thought it best to reveal to The Manila Times that they all agreed to donate the P500,000 catering allocation on premiere night to the earth quake victims of Ilocandia and Abra.

“We hope viewers will understand the simple opening night of our film. It is enough for me and my family to show our side of the story and history (but) it is more important now that we help our countrymen affected by the earthquake,” read a part of Sen. Marcos’ statement.

Worldwide screenings are scheduled to follow today’s nationwide cinema opening.

“Maid in Malacañang” also stars Cesar Montano and Ruffa Gutierrez, as the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and as First Lady Imelda Marcos; Cristine Reyes as Imee, Diego Loyzaga as Bongbong, and Ella Cruz as Irene.

“Katips: The Movie” is a 2021 Filipino period musical drama film written and directed by Vincent Tañada. It is an adaptation of the original 2016 stage musical of the same title and follows a group of student activists from the Katipunan area of Quezon City who are actively protesting then-President Ferdinand Marcos’s declaration of Martial Law.

Set in the 1970, the film stars Jerome Ponce, Tañada, Mon Confiado, Sazchna Laparan and Nicole Laurel Asensio, alongside an ensemble cast that includes Dexter Doria, Lou Veloso, Johnrey Rivas, Adelle Ibarrientos and Joshua Bulot.

Katips held its first media screening on November 27, 2021, which was followed by brief public screening on December 3. Originally intended to be part of the 2021 Metro Manila Film Festival, the movie didn’t make it to the finalists’ cut.

Today, Katips: The Movie will be re-released in theaters to obviously counter the opening of Maid in Malacañang.

Tañada, however, clarified at media conference, “Pero ang pinakamabuti siguro panoorin nila yung dalawa at mamili kung ano ang mas maganda at mas matino.”

With his own bashers to deal with, Tañada added, “Ang nakakatawa, pag sinabing about Martial Law yung pelikula anti-BBM ka na. Panoorin muna nila at saka nila sabihin na anti-BBM or anti-Marcos ito. Kapag nakita nila na, ‘Oo nga, anti-Marcos,’ dun sila simulang mag-bash.

“Ang problema sa mga bashers, they are bashing without any basis. Kailangan may basehan muna, may konteksto na sinusunod bago mag-bash. Ang pelikula namin ay pagpapakita ng mga karanasan ng mga simpleng Pilipino – positibo man o negatibo nandito sa pelikulang ito.”

Setting aside the perceived rivalry of the movies, Tañada finally said of his work, “Masaya tayo dahil nadala natin sa pelikula yung nakasanayan kong gawin sa teatro. In short, hindi yung pelikula ang nag-adjust sa teatro kahit na hindi normal for us to see a Filipino musical being produced as film.”