As she eagerly awaited the screening of ‘Imelda Papin: The Untold Story’ on April 7, celebrated Filipino singer Imelda Papin confessed to grappling with apprehensions, particularly concerning potential backlash from anti-Marcos individuals.
“Actually po, gusto ko pong i-kwento sa inyo. Well, to people sa Camarines Sur, kung saan po ako nag-vice governor, I was a little bit scared,” she admitted during the press conference at the MOA Director’s Club Cinema 1.
Papin knew that the province supported a different candidate during the 2022 elections. Despite her trepidations, she expressed a fervent hope that her fellow provincemates would attend the screening and witness her life story unfold on the silver screen.
“Kasi siyempre, ‘di ba, kumbaga ang support nila is doon sa kababayan namin. Sabi ko, ‘Sana Lord, mapuno ang sinehan at talagang makapunta at mapanood nila.’”
However, Papin’s anxieties dissipated when she received unexpected support from friends who held anti-Marcos sentiments. These individuals attended the screening out of loyalty to Papin, and their perspectives underwent a profound transformation upon viewing the film.
“Then I encountered mga friends ko na who did not support President Marcos. But they were there because of me. So they watched the movie at tuwang-tuwa sila after movie. They approached me at sabi nila, ‘Salamat at mabuti naman na napanood namin, at nakita namin ang totoo, at naiyak kami.’ ‘Ang daming scene na kami ay lumuha,’” shared Papin.
Her supporters who did not share the same political affiliation also expressed approval, attributing it to the film’s success.
“Kaya doon sa mga anti-Marcos, sila po, ang dami po nilang gusto manood dahil mga tagahanga ko rin sila. Part po sila ng success ng Imelda Papin,” thanked the singer.
Despite personal triumphs, the singer clarified that the movie was not intended to serve any political agenda but to showcase her life journey and faith.
“This is not pulitika. We did not do this to create division or mag-away-away ang mga Filipinos. No. Ito po ay buhay ni Imelda Papin.
“Gusto ko pong ilabas dito kung paano tayo maging loyal sa Diyos, maging loyal sa sarili natin, maging loyal sa ating pamilya, sa ating kaibigan. Lalo na kapag lugmok ang isang kaibigan, kung paano mo siya yayakapin. ‘Yun po ang ginawa ng Imelda Papin, kung paano mahalin ang isang pamilya.”
Through her film, Papin aimed to challenge prevailing misconceptions surrounding the term ‘loyalists’ and reclaim it as a universal concept applicable to all Filipinos, irrespective of political affiliations.
“Ang loyalista na word ay para po sa ating lahat iyon. Nagkataon lang na parang nagamit nga ng Marcos Group iyong loyalista kagaya namin. Pero ito po ay para sa ating lahat na mga Filipinos.”
