Actress and comedian Giselle Sanchez opened up about what she considers the biggest regret of her career—accepting the role of the late former president Corazon “Cory” Aquino in the controversial film Maid in Malacañang.
Speaking candidly on Long Conversation: The Men’s Room, Sanchez reflected on her decision and the criticism she received, especially from fellow University of the Philippines alumni. “If there’s only going to be one regret in your life, that would be my regret, to have chosen that role,” she said. “I should have thought about it better. They say, ‘You’re from UP; what did you do that for?’”
She admitted that, at the time, she was focused solely on her craft as an artist and didn’t consider the broader implications. “I didn’t think it through,” she added. “You still have responsibilities as an artist that I should have prioritized.”
Sanchez was heavily criticized in 2022 after a promotional teaser depicted her character—styled after the late president—playing mahjong with Carmelite nuns, a scene she later said she was uncomfortable with. The actress clarified she was assured the clip was only for promotion and not part of the full movie. “It was true, they were not nuns in the movie, but the teaser is more popular than the film,” she noted.
Visibly emotional, Sanchez recalled how her nun friends confronted her about the teaser. “I’m a devout Catholic. It was truly a heavy feeling for me at the time. But then again, it has been done,” she said in Filipino.
In response, Maid in Malacañang director Darryl Yap said he understood Sanchez’s sentiments but questioned the notion that a UP education should dictate an artist’s decisions. “The only thing I don’t get is, ‘You’re from UP, why did you accept that?’ Why? Is the atmosphere different in UP?” he posted on Facebook.
The film, which dramatized the final days of the Marcos family in Malacañang, has faced backlash for allegedly distorting historical events. Its sequel Martyr or Murderer further explores the assassination of former senator Ninoy Aquino. Director Yap has also announced plans to expand Maid in Malacañang into a 16-episode series.
