It’s official! Ruffa Gutierrez will play Imelda Marcos in the upcoming Viva Films project, Maid in Malacañang, directed by the controversial director Darryl Yap.
On June 4, Yap posted a photo from his film pitching with Boss Vic del Rosario where Gutierrez’s photo is flashed on the screen and labeled, “IMELDA MARCOS: RUFFA GUTIERREZ.”
With this confirmation, Ruffa posted her photos with the former first lady on Instagram to express her excitement in portraying the role.
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Congratulatory messages showered on Gutierrez’s post. Cristina Gonzales Romualdez, former actress who married Imelda Marcos’s nephew said that Ruffa truly fits the role.
“So bagay ❤️ love this,” Cristina wrote.
Sarah Lahbati, Ruffa’s sister-in-law, also expressed excitement about the upcoming project. Ruffa’s brother, Raymond, also congratulated his big sister.
Yap then shared on Facebook that Ruffa was his personal choice, “Habang sinusulat ko ang #MAIDinMALACAÑANG— wala na kong ibang maisip na swak sa gusto kong ipakita.”
Though other netizens suggest Alice Dixon, Dawn Zulueta, Gretchen Baretto, or Lucy Torres for the role, Yap believes that Ruffa has something that can help viewers understand the character of Imelda well.
“Itong #MiM kasi, ito yung kwento na hindi pa natin naririnig o nakikita— hindi ko kailangang kumanta o magdrama o maging asawa ng pulitiko ang Imelda Marcos sa aking Pelikula… kailangan ko siyang maging natural, makatotohanan at malapit sa realidad.
“Malakas ang kutob kong kayang-kaya ni Ruffa gampanan ang mga huling sandali ng pamosong first lady sa loob ng Malacañang.”
Yap then pointed out that Ruffa and Imelda are ‘misinterpreted’ beauties.
“Aminin man natin o hindi, minsan dahil maganda ang tao—mabilis din nating husgahan…madali nating kinukwenta at tinatawaran ang pagkatao.
“Totoong ang mundo ay galit sa pangit, pero sa mga magaganda ito pinakamalupit.
“Di ako masyado sure kung makakarelate kayo? Mahirap maging Maganda. iniisip ng tao- puro ka arte, mababaw ka at yan lang ang puhunan mo sa lahat ng nais mong makamit.
“natatabunan ng ganda ang halaga… na minsan, ang isang maganda ay may kwentong mas maganda pa sa kung ano siya sa harap ng madla isang anak, ina, asawa at isang tao,” Yap wrote.
Maid in Malacañang’s story will revolve around Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s last 72 hours in the palace. Accordingly, the story was from a very reliable source.
Yap is known to be one of the most controversial filmmakers. During the campaign season, he produced videos and similar materials to promote the bid of current president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Viva Films approved Yap’s proposal on June 3.
When he announced that he pitched this new project to Viva Films, he earned the ire of many netizens. A netizen said that Yap is trying to be “relevant” while another one believes that this may be the start of a “historical revisionism” to clear up the name of the Marcoses.
Some also believe that this project should be censured by “Film Industry, Historians, and the Academe.”
Despite these, he still received support from Marcos and UniTeam supporters.
As announced by Yap, Maid in Malacañang will air this July.
