Niño Muhlach apologizes to Paco Larrañaga for Chiong sisters’ case TV portrayal

MANILA, Philippines — At the height of controversy regarding the Chiong sisters’ case fueled by the movie “Jacqueline Comes Home” and the resurfaced documentary “Give Up Tomorrow,” actor Niño Muhlach said sorry to convict Paco Larrañaga.

In his Facebook account, the former child wonder of the Philippine cinema said he was only asked to play the role for the now defunct crime-based show “Calvento Files” in ABS-CBN. 

“SORRY PACO. I was asked to play the role of Paco Larranaga for CALVENTO FILES that was aired on ABS CBN at the time the case of the chiong sisters was being heard on National tv. As an actor, i was asked to to portray Paco as a drug crazed maniac,” Nino wrote.

But after watching the documentary that aims to explain the case in-depth, Niño said he felt guilty for doing the role.

“It made me feel guilty for putting him in a bad light. But as an actor i had to follow what the script required from me. We all know the truth by now! Lets stand up & fight for the injustice that Paco & the rest of the chiong 7 had to suffer! #freePacoNow,” he said. 

Apart from Niño, Donnalyn Bartolome, the actress who portrayed the role of Marijoy in the Viva Films movie, is also affected with what is happening in the case because netizens bashed her for doing the movie, flooding her social media account with hate comments.

 

4 days, actually. I trust what our director said during our presscon: The movie is not biased. I may not say it for sure now cause there were things added to our script but honestly, the original script did not incriminate anyone. It was about The Chiongs and the theory of what happened. The perpetrators in the film and the accused in real life are not matching names or even the number of how many “did it” for the reason that our director @dpeachc understand that the accused could have been given a more fair trial as we all also do. ???? We all believe there could have been more or less perpetrators but that doesn’t mean the Chiongs didn’t go through the suffering that they did. This is the story of the Chiongs no one has seen. It’s their story behind the cameras and the media. People are saying the movie is biased and to not watch it.. but won’t you be the biased one if you don’t? Just picking your brain, that’s not supposed to be answered. As for people disappointed because I accepted the role, I don’t regret it. You can quit saying I didn’t do my research because I did. I know this would raise safety awareness and anyone who really knew me knows how paranoid I am when it comes to that matter. And as an actress, I focused a lot on how the family felt to be able to act my best in this film.. Not biased on any side. I was just being professional. Both sides went through pain and I feel so sorry. Let’s not forget though, without all the ifs and buts.. no matter who did it, it happened. ???? 2 sisters disappeared and only one lifeless body was found. If that were to happen to my sisters I’d wake up everyday wanting to die instead of them. Nothing would keep me sane. I would die. Jacqueline Comes Home’s premiere night is on July 16 SM Megamall Cinema 12 at 7pm.

A post shared by Donnalyn Bartolome (@donnalynbartolome) on Jul 14, 2018 at 4:59am PDT

Recently, Donnalyn posted a screen-captured image “from a close relative of one of the Chiong 7,” which she said, makes her feel more relaxed. 

The image is from a email, which said that Donnalyn is just the actress of the movie, so she does not need to be alarmed. The relative also admired her actress acting prowess. 

Donnalyn said that the post will be her last about the controversy.

 

This email is everythiiiiiiiingggggggg!!! Email from a close relative of one of the Chiong 7(the men convicted for the Chiong Sisters case) Thank you so much ???? P.S. This is last time I’ll EVER post about this. #MovingOn

A post shared by Donnalyn Bartolome (@donnalynbartolome) on Jul 20, 2018 at 8:47am PDT