Actress-comedienne Giselle Sanchez expressed deep regret over accepting the role of former President Cory Aquino in the controversial 2022 film Maid in Malacañang.
In an interview on One News’ The Men’s Room, Sanchez admitted that her decision to take on the role is one of her biggest regrets, particularly because of the backlash it received.
The film, produced by VIVA Films and Vincentiments, was released shortly after President Bongbong Marcos’ electoral victory and became a lightning rod for controversy.
The teaser of the movie showed Sanchez, playing Aquino, saying the line “Get them out of the Philippines” while sitting with nuns to play mahjong.
The scene drew strong criticism, particularly from the Catholic Church and supporters of the Aquino legacy.
“Pinagsisihan ko yun,” Sanchez said.
“Di ba nga sabi nila, ‘Giselle, U.P. ka, bakit mo ginawa yun?’ Ganun. Di ko inisip, e. Sana inisip ko nga naman na taga-U.P. ako, sana inisip ko yung bansa ko bago ko tinanggap yun.”
She added, “Kasi iniisip ko lang, ‘Artista ako,”
Sanchez graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Mass Communication from the University of the Philippines Diliman.
Although the controversial mahjong scene did not make the final cut of the film, Sanchez said she still vividly remembers the harsh criticism she faced when the teaser trended online.