The comedienne responded to the backlash she received for playing the role of the late President and democracy icon, Corazon Aquino, in the highly controversial film Maid in Malacañang via her Manila Bulletin column, Gossip Girl.
On the eve of her film’s official theatrical opening, actress and comedienne Giselle Sanchez, took the chance to explain herself over the highly-controversial scene showing the late president, Cory Aquino, in the Maid in Malacañang trailer. The said scene angered many netizens, who accused the director and writer Darryl Yap of distorting history and inserting made-up information into the film.
Sanchez portrayed the late democracy icon, and received backlash from netizens, as well.
Through her column in Manila Bulletin, Sanchez tried to defend her choice, but it seems she attracted a much negative reaction instead. She posted a screenshot of her column on her Facebook account, where she earned both supportive and negative reactions.
“I have always wanted to do a project with Direk Daryll Yap as I am a big fan of his works,” she said in her post. She also quoted Senator Imee Marcos who said “Art should disturb, it should confuse, it should provoke, it should seduce, and it should agitate.”
Twitter user Charles Vergara shared a screenshot of Sanchez’s post with the caption: “So if the script says: ‘Imelda Marcos suddenly gave Gen. Fabian Ver a blowjob in front of the bedridden Ferdinand Marcos’ Giselle Sanchez will accept that as a piece of history that she never knew.”
https://twitter.com/malyari/status/1554321411573186560
Sanchez did not just agitate regular netizens, as some of her colleagues and fellow alumni in UP, where she graduated with a Mass Communication degree, also expressed objection against her excuse.
“Not Giselle Sanchez using art as an excuse for her historical lies. Partida, UP Mass Comm grad yan ha,” said @kolsenertito.
Not Giselle Sanchez using art as an excuse for her historical lies.
Partida, UP Mass Comm grad yan ha.— 𝚃𝚒𝚝𝚘 𝙹 (@kolsenertito) August 2, 2022
Jihyo, meanwhile, finds the disconnect between Sanchez’s being a UP Diliman alumna and her choices, especially in roles to portray in the film.
“Giselle Sanchez is yet another proof that graduating from UP Diliman with latin honors doesnt make you intelligent/smart.”
https://twitter.com/karlitsssssss/status/1554310235829194752
ABS-CBN reporter Jervis Manahan took a swipe at Sanchez, also one of her colleagues in UP.
“That was one of the most disappointing takes I’ve ever read from an alumna of my home department in UP,” his tweet reads.
That was one of the most disappointing takes I've ever read from an alumna of my home department in UP.
— Jervis Manahan (@JervisManahan) August 2, 2022
Film director, Rod Marmol, seemingly pointed out what Sanchez’s real reason was, for accepting the role. “Giselle Sanchez: Why she accepted the role? MONEY.
“Tapos ang usapan. Kunwari ka pang may pake sa ART at NATIONAL DISCUSSION but you didnt even interview anyone from Cory’s side for you to be able to genuinely portray her.
“MUKHA KANG PERA YUN YUN,” he tweeted.
Giselle Sanchez: Why she accepted the role?
MONEY
Tapos ang usapan.
Kunwari ka pang may pake sa ART at NATIONAL DISCUSSION but you didnt even interview anyone from Cory's side for you to be able to genuinely portray her.
MUKHA KANG PERA YUN YUN
— Rod Marmol (@rodmarmol) August 2, 2022
Budget Babe similarly argued that it is money that made Sanchez accept the role as she said in her tweet.
“You did it for the money, in the hope of resurrecting a career that is decomposing like a rotten carcass under the grave.
“That’s all there is to it. In other words, kadiri ka lang talaga, Giselle Sanchez.”
https://twitter.com/znsuzara/status/1554414343777034240
Sanchez also attracted the attention of known film and TV director and playwright Floy Quintos, who denounced the actress for claiming she accepted the role for her love of art.
“Art has nothing to do with your choice,” the director told Sanchez.
Director/Playwright Floy Quintos to Giselle Sanchez:
"Art has nothing to do with your choice." pic.twitter.com/PlrDTGoZTz— The Professional Heckler™️ (@hecklerforever8) August 2, 2022
Maid in Malacañang opens in cinemas on August 3. Interestingly, it is also the day that FAMAS 2022 big winner, Katips, which tells the plight of student activists during the Martial Law years, will also have its mainstream release.