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Philippine Jukebox Queen and politician Imelda Papin (center) flanked by Claudine Barretto, who portrays her in the biopic (right), and Alice Dixon who was cast as former first lady Imelda Marcos.
By Tessa Mauricio-Arriola
December 6, 2023 20
Congratulations are due Philippine Jukebox Queen Imelda Papin for the successful premiere of her biographic film, "Loyalista: The Untold Story of Imelda Papin."
Three entire cinemas were filled to capacity at SM Megamall in Pasig City with Papin's decades-long fans, friends, family and media eager to fill in certain gaps in the singer-turned-politician's life story.
Her biopic is titled "Loyalista" because it doesn't just follow her rise to fame from a humble fisherfolk family in Bicol, but also chronicles her support for the Marcos family, even after former strongman Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. was exiled to Hawaii in 1986.
Claudine Barretto was cast to portray Papin, alongside Gary Estrada as her husband Bong Carrion, ER Ejercito as Marcos, Sr., Alice Dixon as former first lady Imelda Marcos, and the singer's daughter Maffi Papin as herself.
The film was specially made to celebrate Papin's 45th year in the industry and took a year to make because of the research the project involved.
"All of the depictions here are true and not just speculation. They are drawn from my mother's childhood, development, and strong sense of loyalty, along her friendship with President Ferdinand Marcos and his thge First Lady all the way in Hawaii where we followed them in the '80s."
The movie revealed how Papin's life was endangered after the Marcoses left for Malacanang, given her widely known support for the political family. She lived in Hawaii for some time for her safety, where she continued to nurture her closeness with the former first couple and how they served as her inspiration to serve the Filipino people.
It has yet to be announced when "Loyalista: The Untold Story of Imelda Papin" will hold its commercial screening.
