“It becomes more
difficult to judge or be critical of the characters – dancing with Imelda
(played with almost unparalleled sweetness by Ruthie Ann Miles) makes you more
likely to sympathise with her and her husband (Jose Llana), despite knowing
better.” (Source: The Guardian, 13 April 2013)
U.S. Ambassador allegedly wrote: “This whole affair was a saccharine suffusion of sycophancy.” |
Perhaps, a film antidote to all current and coming poisonous
production is needed as swiftly as possible. I think that you do not need to make a
full biography of Imelda but just focus on a specific episode in her life that will
best encapsulate the Marcos couple’s hold to power, Imelda’s state of mind and
regard towards Filipinos, whom she often says she loves.
Thanks to WikiLeaks, we found the perfect episode. U.S. Ambassador to
the Philippines in the 1970s William Sullivan allegedly reported that Ferdinand
Marcos had a lavish two-day birthday celebration that included a:
“Military review,
fly-by, and rambling speech by president at Camp Aguinaldo, followed by
dedication of newly constructed facilities there. This consumed entire morning.
Ceremonies resumed 7:00 p.m. that same evening with moonlight parade,
reception, serenade, dinner, floor show, and concert (Source: Public Library of U.S. Diplomacy, WikiLeaks)
The culmination of this lavish celebration was a military drag
performance during the floor show, ordered by Imelda herself. Ambassador Sullivan reports:
“All general
officers in the armed services (Constabulary Commander Ramos excepted) were
required, as part of the palace floor show, to parade in garish female attire.
This caused much grumbling among military hierarchy, and wives of service
chiefs stood conspicuously in a grim, un- smiling phalanx throughout the
hilarity.” (Source: Public Library of U.S. Diplomacy, WikiLeaks)
Ambassador Sullivan allegedly further
commented that:
“This whole affair
was a saccharine suffusion of sycophancy which reminded me unhappily of the
heydays of Sukarno and Sihanouk. Although Imelda was responsible, the president
seemed to enjoy it and appeared unaware of the negative vibrations among his
courtiers, especially the senior military…” (Source: Public Library of U.S. Diplomacy,WikiLeaks)
Ordering macho Filipino soldiers to wear women’s clothes and asking them to perform in a floor show is tantamount to utter disrespect, especially in a
macho homophobic society like the Philippines, and in the 1970s even. The whole
idea is insulting. Regardless of your opinions about the participation of the
military during the Martial Law years, this whole drag show simply illustrates,
in the most farcical way, Imelda’s power. She has never been Cinderella; she is
the wicked stepmother or the Evil Queen. She and her husband had abducted and
buried Cinderella and Snow White in an unmarked grave somewhere in the
boondocks.
Instead of inscribing “Here Lies Love” on her tombstones, Filipinos
should inscribe “Lies Love It Here.” These words will be a tribute to a woman
who enjoys twisting words to her advantage, and so, we Filipino should play her
game.
THE IMELDIFIC DRAG SHOW
U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines in the 1970s: William Sullivan |
Like “F/F,” “The Imedific Drag Show” should also go on a nationwide
tour, specifically in schools to enlighten the new generation of Filipinos. Certainly,
the film should also run for seven consecutive days in commercial cinemas just
to qualify for the Oscars. I see a future Oscar contender here. It has
everything: corruption, excess, over the top characters and overall
ludicrousness. In fact, the would-be director and producer can even hire an
American actor to play U.S. Ambassador Sullivan to give some international
traction. Which Hollywood actor should
play him? More importantly, who would play "Imelda?"
TO BE CONTINUED...
TO BE CONTINUED...
RELATED POSTS
Filipino Films That
Should Be Made in the Immediate Future (Series)
- Film # 1: “F/F”
- Film # 2: “The Imeldific Drag Show”
- Film # 3: “Poque-poque at Patiti: The Senate RH-Bill Hearing” (soon)
- Film # 4: “Desaparesidos” (soon)
- Film # 5: “Angela, the Bading Assassin, A Musical (soon)
- and many more
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