Gwen backs Carmelite nuns in mahjong scene controversy

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has defended the Carmelite nuns in Cebu after a scene in the controversial film “Maid in Malacañang” showed that there were nuns portrayed playing mahjong with a character that seemed to be late President Cory Aquino.

“I stand with the Carmelite nuns of Cebu. And I condemn any malicious attempt to malign them,” Garcia said in her Facebook post on August 2.

The governor made that post a few hours after the Carmelite nuns released a statement following the trailer of the said film.

"The nuns are not wearing our brown religious habit. But if these pictures are portraying the events of February 1986, the illusion to the Carmelite Order in Cebu is too obvious for anyone to see," said Sr. Mary Melanie Costillas of Prioress Carmelite Monastery in Mabolo, Cebu city.

"The attempt to distort history is reprehensible. Depicting the nuns as playing mahjong with Cory Aquino is malicious. It would suggest that while the fate of the country was in peril, we could afford to leisurely play games," the statement added.

The film's director Darryl Yap, in a statement, said he felt that there's no need to consult the Carmelite nuns over the scene.

"Gaya po ng sinabi nila hindi naman po naka-brown at binanggit na 'Huy mga Carmelite Sisters, Ano na?!' he said.

Yap also invited the nuns to watch the film until the end.

"If they are ostentatious about details, I don’t think there is a need for this “ouch” and “involvement”. Nung pinaalis ng bansa ang Pamilya Marcos, wala po si President Cory sa isang monastery," Yap said.

Maid in Malacañang is a film about the last 72 hours of the Marcoses at the Malacañang Palace before fleeing to Hawaii during 1986 People Power. — JMD (FREEMAN)