On February 9, actor Cesar Montano recounted how ‘Martyr or Murderer’ rewrote his views about history.
At the press conference for their upcoming movie, Montano first highlighted his preparation for his role as former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. He narrated, “Pareho pa rin, aside from yung preparation no. And, itong script ni Direk Darryl eh patindi ng patindi, so tinitignan ko lang binabasa ko lang ng maigi kung saan ako hindi madadawit at baka makulong ako dito, kasi ako dapat ang dadalaw eh. Pero, ako I enjoyed the script, I enjoyed the story kasi ang dami kong natitisod na bagong mga– nadi-disclose na mga nangyari noon, ito pala.”
He then noted his personal experience during the Marcos presidency, citing his views regarding the former president. Montano shared, “Kasi, I was there. In 1986 I was in college. So hindi ko alam na ganon pala ‘yung mga nangyayari. So ako personally, as an actor, nag-enjoy ako but the challenge sa akin is, ‘Ah sandali, Marcos– isipin mo Marcos, during that time, lahat ng estudyante, halos lahat, ayaw kay Marcos.’ Lahat sumasali ng LFS (League of Filipino Students), kasama na ako doon, eh ngayon, I’m playing Marcos.”
He then noted that the information he got while portraying Marcos Sr. rewrote his views about history. The actor revealed, “Eh sabi ko, nag-iiba ‘yung–alam mo ‘yun, the world is turning around, sa buhay mo, sa pag-iisip, sa aking knowledge, so sa akin more of like–sinusulat ulit ‘yung history sa ating buhay, sa ating– dahil ako pa si Marcos, ‘yun ang sa challege sa akin.”
He also discussed how social media helped him research his character and role.
“I’m so grateful, so thankful that naging available lahat sa social media ang lahat ng content about the role I played, about the former President. Uulitin ko po, I’m humbled to play this role, as an actor, isang malaking opportunidad po sa akin na gampanan ang role ang character po ng ating former President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Sr.”
Their upcoming film, ‘Martyr or Murderer’ stars Cesar Montano, Ruffa Gutierrez, Cristine Reyes, Diego Loyzaga, and Ella Cruz.
The film features Kyle Velino, Isko Moreno, Giselle Sanchez, Beverly Salviejo, and Elizabeth Oropesa.
The second installment of director Darryl Yap’s trilogy also added new cast members through Cindy Miranda, Franki Russell, Marco Gumabao, Jerome Ponce, and Sachzna Laparan.
‘Martyr or Murderer’ premieres on March 1, 2023, in cinemas nationwide.
