Darryl Yap and Imee Marcos on ‘Martyr or Murderer’

Darryl Yap (left) and Imee Marcos

Imee Marcos and Darryl Yap are kindred spirits. It’s so amusing to listen to their banter. The dynamic duo ought to host a talk show together. They are the brains behind Viva Films’ “Martyr or Murderer” (MoM), which opens in cinemas nationwide on March 1.

It is a continuation of “Maid in Malacañang” (MiM). MoM takes us on a journey with the Marcoses before and after the Edsa revolution. It will remind us that when all else fails, family prevails.

Here are quotes from Imee (I) and Darryl (D):

I: It took me 37 years to tell our story because I thought nobody would be interested to listen since there was so much negativity being spread about our family. It’s quite painful to open old wounds by recapturing the past, but it is also cathartic.

D: In MoM, it’s not my intention to change minds, but to change hearts.

I: I am not too keen about the title of our movie because “murderer” is such a strong word. But Darryl is incorrigible, so even if I asked him to change the title, he retained it.

D: I’m not from any film school. I have a weird system in making films, that’s why some people in the industry are not fond of me. I don’t follow any science in my filmmaking.

I: From day one, Daryl and I had a very easy flow, like I’ve known him forever. So maybe he’s my evil son from a past life. I have no idea because my sons are actually quite nice. We argue, but at the end of the day, it’s all cheerful and fun.

D: It was hard to make Imee tell their story because it was traumatic for them. She gets emotional when asked about her dad. In MiM, what we saw was Imee, the tigress. In MoM, it’s a totally different Imee in Morocco.

I: Since my dad was a military man, he taught me by example how to pick up the pieces after each battle and soldier on. My mom is the ultimate Pollyanna, so she always reminded me to look at the brighter side. That’s how I survived the Morocco chapter of my life.

D: Our Moroccan team was also the team behind “Black Widow” and “King Kong vs Godzilla.” When we arrived at the airport, there was an orientation on the dos and dont’s of filming in Morocco. They suggested to shoot in locations that needed tourism boost. That made me realize the importance of the government and film industry to work hand in hand.

I: I’ve been in the creative industry for so long that I actually enjoy Darryl being uncontrollable. Mahirap ‘yung walang creative impulse. Mas maganda ‘yung buga ng buga, like Darryl.

D: Imee advised me that if bashers go low, we should go higher. But I told her no, if they go low, we go lower as in canal levels. ‘Di ko kayang magtimpi at manahimik.

I: I didn’t go to Edsa, so I don’t talk about anything that occurred there. On the other hand, what happened in Malacañang, kami lang ang may alam. And the time has come to share our untold story. Mas may pressure now sa MoM because MiM was parang katuwaan lang na kinunsinte ni Boss Vic.

D: When I conceptualized MiM, nakakaaliw kasi naghihintayan lang si Imee at ang Viva. When I told Imee about it, she asked me if Viva was willing to produce it. And Boss Vic’s reaction was, “Game ba si Imee na magkwento?”

I: MoM is sort of a “destierro” story. Being in exile made me relate to what OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) go through. You are thrust into a foreign land due to circumstances. It made me realize that I’m not the center of the universe. It gave me a brutal 20/20 vision because being away from the Philippines gave me perspective.

D: They say I’m fearless, but the truth is, I have to be brave because I am scared. When you are scared, you have to face your fears.

I: After MiM comes MoM, and the next one in the trilogy is MAM (Mabuhay, Aloha, Mabuhay). Then, “meme na” (laughs).