By Rjay Castor

“Katips: The Movie” and “Maid in Malacañang”, two films with different perspectives from the darkest era of Philippine history— Martial Law, will have a head-to-head match in the cinemas on August 3. 

Photo Courtesy by SM Cinema / It's Me Bluedreamer / The Manila Times / Darryl Yap

Philippine Stagers Foundation head and director Vince Tañada in a press conference confirmed that the film adaptation of its 2016 musical drama about the struggles of the victims of Martial Law will be in cinemas. 

“Nilabanan ko talaga yung Maid in Malacañang,” the award-winning director-writer said.

Topbilled by Kapamilya actor Jerome Ponce, the film has 17 nominations in this year’s Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awards. 

“China-challenge ako… china-challenge tayo ng Maid in Malacañang, kaya nag-react nang ganoon si Direk Joel (Lamangan). Sabi ni Direk Joel, gagawa siya ng mga pelikula, eh ito nagawa na namin,” he continued. The film already premiered last November 2021. 

For Tañada, a Martial Law victim himself, now is the time to fight for the truth and nobody can invalidate his experiences in the regime. 

“(I) was born in 1974, edi sanggol daw ako noong nakulong. Hindi lang naman po dapat makulong para ma-experience mo ang horrors of [Martial Law]. I was a child when my grandfather was incarcerated,” he said, referring to former Senator Lorenzo Tañada.

The elder Tañada, the longest-serving senator in Philippine history, was a notable figure in toppling the Marcos dictatorship.

“Masakit po bilang bata ang maranasan ito lalo’t alam mong nakipaglaban lang si Senador Lorenzo Tañada para sa katotohanan. Paki-research na lang po ang buhay niya,” the film director said. 

Meanwhile, controversial director Darryl Yap’s “Maid in Malacanang”, seeks to tell Marcoses’ side of the story on their last three days in Malacañang before fleeing to Hawaii during the 1986 People Power Revolution.