'Basura': Jay Altarejos says 'Katips,' 'Maid in Malacañang' are 'posers'

MANILA, Philippines — Film director Jay Altarejos believes that rival films “Maid in Malacañang” and “Katips” are cast in the same mold. 

In an interview with the media during his 15th anniversary as a filmmaker, Altarejos said the people behind them are capitalists because they boast their earnings. He believes that if these films were truly made for the country, these should have been publicly screened for free. 

"'Katips' and 'Maid in Malacañang' are in the same mold. Look at them. They are both vying kung sino mas malaki ang kinita. Itong isa nagsasabi na malaki ang kinita namin pero joke lang daw. So that's disinformation. You are not helping to solve the problem. You are being part of the problem,” he said.  

“At kung totoong pelikula mo ay para sa bayan kahit na ito ay para sa 'Katips' o para sa 'Maid' dapat binigay niyo yan ng libre para sa mga tao. Kaya tayo ay namimigay ng libreng sine. Poser 'yang dalawang 'yan. Magkapareho lang sila. Wala silang pinagkaiba. Sino nagpalabas ng libre sa kanila? Nagyayabangan pa kung sino mas malaking kinita. Kapitalista pala kayo e. Hindi para sa bayan 'yan,” he added.  

Altarejos said that he has not seen any of the two movies. "Hindi. Ayokong manood ng basura," the director remarked.  

Jay also lambasted "Katips" director Vince Tanada’s statement that the film is not an anti-Marcos film. 

“Tigilan natin na mga Kakampinks paglaban sa mga Marcos kunyari yung 'Katips' tapos sasabihin ng direktor 'ay hindi po ito anti-Marcos.' Ano ka, gumagawa ka ng pelikula tungkol sa Martial Law hindi ka anti-Marcos? Ano ka, pro-Marcos?” he said.  

The director also did not spare the controversial Darryl Yap movie. He said that showing the good side of the Marcoses does not justify the lives lost during their regime. 

“Sasabihin titignan natin kung ano 'yung mabuti at masama. P*t*ng*na, kahit anong magandang nangyari sa panahon ng Marcos, alalahanin natin na may pinatay, may inabuso. Kahit anong kabutihan na yon ay hindi katumbas ng buhay,” he said. 

Jay will celebrate his 15th anniversary in the industry on Saturday by showing his films “Ang Lalake sa Parola,” “Jino to Mari” and “Walang Kasarian ang Digmang Bayan” for free. 

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