Photo credits: Meg Imperial and Donnalyn Bartolome. Image courtesy of Viva Films
Donnalyn Bartolome finally speaks up against Viva Artists Agency for leading her to believe there was a surprise ending to “Jacqueline Comes Home (The Chiong Story).”
After being accused of not conducting research prior to accepting the role of Marijoy Chiong for the controversial movie, Bartolome expressed her disappointment over the backlash she has received in a Facebook post on Friday, July 20. The actress also shared screengrabs of comments of a now-deleted video, Viva TV YouTube account’s “Anong ganap?” episode featuring Bartolome discussing her experience while filming for the movie.
“Hindi ako reklamador na artista, kasi sino ba naman ako pero Viva Artists Agency pakiklaro po sa mga taong ito kung ano ang totoo,” wrote the actress.
(As an actress, I am not a complainer because who am I [in the grand scheme of things], but Viva Artists Agency, please clarify to these people what the truth is.)
“You can all say di ako nagresearch kahit I did but the team led me to believe na may surprise ending NA WALA SA MGA ARTISTA ANG NAKAKAALAM para macurious ang mga tao SAYING kung ano talaga nangyari kay Jacqueline,” Bartolome said. “Naririnig ko pa sa team ‘you’ll know what happened to Jacqueline’ kahit di ako sure sa kung ano man yun, kesyo buhay or patay yung tao dahil si Mrs. Chiong ang source n’yo (about what happened kay Jacqueline) I trusted the team.”
(You can all say I did not do my research even if I did, but the [“Jacqueline Comes Home” production] team led me to believe that there is a surprise ending that none of the artists knew, so that the people will be curious, saying [that the movie will reveal] what really happened to Jacqueline. I also heard from the team, “You’ll know what happened to Jacqueline,” even though I wasn’t sure of whether she’s alive or dead, because Mrs. Chiong was your source (about what happened to Jacqueline). I trusted the team.)
“Akala ko sasabihin na dito ni Mrs. Chiong ano totoong nangyari kay Jacqueline. Nakakaiyak sa galit,” the 24-year-old actress noted.
(I thought Mrs. Chiong will finally reveal [in the movie] what really happened to Jacqueline. It makes me cry in anger.)
The actress also expressed her disappointment over Viva’s decision to upload the “Anong ganap?” episode. Bartolome said she is tired of taking all the blame and that posting the video did not help her case. The actress also stated that Viva should’ve taken better care of their artists, particularly because they were not informed of the movie’s ending.
Bartolome ended her tirade writing: “Ngayon yung ‘I think dito marereveal ang totoong nangyari kay Jacqueline’ ‘I THOUGHT’ nalang dahil pati kaming mga artista pinacurious sa ending na yan! Pare pareho lang tayo walang alam kahit nagresearch pa nakakaiyakkkkkkk [crying emojis].”
(Now, that “I think [the movie] will reveal what really happened to Jacqueline,” was changed to “I thought” because even us artists were drawn in curiosity by that ending! All of us don’t know anything even if [we] did research… it’s making me cry.)
The actress also shared a screengrab of an email she said was sent by a close relative of one of the seven convicted men in the case of the Chiong sisters, praising her for her portrayal of Marijoy.
However, netizens were not convinced that the email indeed came from a relative of the Chiong 7. They believe someone (either Bartolome herself or a friend of hers) must have fabricated the email.
Image: Screengrab from Facebook/Donnalyn Bartolome
Image: Screengrab from Facebook/Donnalyn Bartolome
Image: Screengrab from Facebook/Donnalyn Bartolome
Her co-star, Meg Imperial who plays the role of Jacqueline Chiong, recently defended herself as well against the backlash over the film. Viva Artists Agency has yet to comment or issue an official statement on Bartolome’s post, as of this writing. NVG
RELATED STORIES:
Meg Imperial asserts ‘Jacqueline Comes Home’ is about Chiong family’s ordeal, not ‘justice’
Donnalyn Bartolome, Meg Imperial star in Viva Films’ Jacqueline Comes Home (The Chiong Story)
Controversial documentary goes home to Cebu