Katips Director Vince Tañada revealed if he had any hard feelings for Jerome Ponce after the actor watched the film Maid In Malacañang.
Jerome Ponce is the star of the film Katips which sheds light on the struggles of student activists during Martial Law. It premiered in cinemas on August 3, the same day Darryl Yap‘s Maid in Malacañang film was also released.
On August 15, Ponce got spotted in the cinemas along with her girlfriend Sachzna Laparan, who watched the film Maid in Malacañang.
In an interview with PEP on September 7, Director Tañada revealed that he understood Ponce and has no hard feelings toward the actor.
“Ang ano ko lang sa kanya, nag-demand ako na makapanood siya uli ng mga screening [ng Katips]. Ang sinabi lang naman niya, ‘E, napanood ko na Direk, e.’ Yun lang naman ang sagot niya.
“Pero siguro, kung sasabihin mo na sumama ang loob ko, mas nandun sa nauunawaan ko siya bilang artista. Maging ako, sasabihin ko sa inyo, pinanood ko yung Maid In Malacañang. Hindi nga lang ako nag-picture-picture katulad niya.
“Pero pinanood ko din, kasi tama lang naman yun na panoorin natin kasi kasabay nating pelikula. Gusto mo ring tingnan,” he said.
When photos of Ponce and his girlfriend at the Maid in Malacañang film went viral online, the actor was heavily criticized as he was the star in Katips, the film highly compared to Maid in Malacañang.
Director Tañada said that he had already talked with Ponce, and is saddened that netizens are criticizing the actor.
“Sabi ko, ‘Ay, oo, di mali na panoorin mo yung ‘Maid In Malacañang.’ Nakakalungkot din yun kasi, alam mo, si Jerome, parang nakakabatang kapatid ko na iyan. He started with me sa theater namin when he was 15 years old.
“Kung ganun ang tingin sa kanya ng mga tao, sana huwag naman. Nakapag-usap na kami. Ang mahalaga lang, sana mas magtagumpay pa siya sa mga susunod niyang decisions.
“Mahalaga ang mga susunod niyang desisyon para makita kung totoo bang nagkaroon siya ng character development pagkatapos ng kanyang mga karanasan dito,” said Tañada.
Vince Tañada’s Katips had 17 nominations in the 70th FAMAS awards and bagged seven awards: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, and Best Musical Score, with Tañada winning Best Actor, Best Director, and sharing Best Original Song with composer Pipo Cifra.
