Martyr or Murderer

Martyr or Murderer

Year: 2023

Runtime: 103 mins

Language: Tagalog

Director: Darryl Yap

HistoryDrama

Serving as a sequel to Maid in Malacañang, the film delves into the August 21, 1983 assassination of Ninoy Aquino, set three years before the events depicted in the earlier movie. It examines the ensuing accusations that the Marcos family was responsible for his death and the political fallout that followed.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Martyr or Murderer (2023)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Martyr or Murderer (2023). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1954-2016

The film spans multiple decades, beginning in 1954 with Ferdinand's rise as a congressman and moving through the 1960s, 1980s, and into the 2010s. It revisits pivotal events such as Ninoy's assassination in 1983 and the exile years that followed, then returns to contemporary reflections in 2016. Flashbacks interweave personal family dynamics with national history to frame the Marcos era.

Location

Ilocos Norte, Hawaii, United States (New York City), Morocco

Set primarily in Ilocos Norte (Sarrat), the narrative anchors the Marcos family's political rise in a provincial landscape. It also takes the story to exile in Hawaii and later movements across the United States, including New York City, reflecting the diaspora and political exile. Moments in Morocco occur as Imee searches for truth and distance from the homeland.

🇵🇭 Philippines 🏛️ Historical setting ✈️ Exile journeys 🗺️ Global locations

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:15

Main Characters – Martyr or Murderer (2023)

Meet the key characters of Martyr or Murderer (2023), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Young Imelda Marcos (Cindy Miranda)

A young Imelda, charming and ambitious, begins to wield influence within Ferdinand's circle. She uses social gatherings and strategic alliances to elevate the family's status. The portrayal sets up her future role as the dynasty's consummate operator.

👑 Power 💃 Glamour 🎯 Strategist

Imee Marcos (Cristine Reyes)

An ambitious daughter navigating her father's politics; her path is shaped by exile memories and a drive to expand the family’s influence. She maneuvers for leadership roles and public recognition, seeking to secure a dynastic future.

🌟 Ambition 🧭 Political Legacy 🗣️ Strategist

Imelda Marcos (Ruffa Gutierrez)

Glamorous and calculating, she wields soft power through wealth, fashion, and patronage. Her public image and social reach help sustain the dynasty's authority across generations. She remains a central figure whose choices shape the political landscape.

👑 Power 💄 Glamour 🧭 Public Image

Ferdinand Marcos (Cesar Montano)

A charismatic yet controversial leader whose strategic mind drives the Marcos era. The film presents his authority as both a stabilizing force and a source of conflict with opponents, including Ninoy Aquino. His actions set the stage for exile and political battles at home and abroad.

🏛️ Authority 🎭 Charisma ⚖️ Controversy

Irene Marcos (Ella Cruz)

A member of the wedding spectacle that marks the era's social rituals, Irene embodies the Marcos family's prominent social circle. She illustrates how family ties and public appearances reinforce political standing within the elite.

👰 Family 🎉 Socialite

Young Ferdinand Marcos (Marco Gumabao)

A young, rising political figure who forges early alliances and shows the magnetism that would later fuel his power. His path hints at the future dynasty’s leadership structure and ambition.

🧭 Ambition 🎯 Rising Star

Ninoy Aquino (Isko Moreno)

A bold journalist and opposition voice who confronts the Marcos regime. His clashes with the Marcos camp heighten political tensions and illuminate the costs of dissent.

🗣️ Opposition 🕊️ Martyr

Young Ninoy Aquino (Jerome Ponce)

Youthful idealism and early dissent shape Ninoy’s path, foreshadowing the significant role he will play in Philippine politics and history.

🌟 Idealism 🗣️ Dissent

Bongbong Marcos (Diego Loyzaga)

Dynastic heir whose future political ambitions loom over the narrative. The film hints at how lineage and name recognition influence later electoral contests.

🗳️ Political ambition 🏛️ Dynasty

Young Corazon Aquino (Sachzna Laparan)

A young Cory appears as the future challenger to the Marcos regime, with early hints of democratic ideals that would shape her family's legacy.

👩‍⚖️ Leadership 🗣️ Democratic ideals

Claudia Bermudez (Franki Russell)

A figure within the Marcos circle who participates in the era’s social and political milieu, illustrating the wider network surrounding the family.

🎭 Supporting character 🕊️ Social dynamics

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:15

Major Themes – Martyr or Murderer (2023)

Explore the central themes of Martyr or Murderer (2023), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Power and Legacy

The film interrogates how a political dynasty is built and justified, weighing personal ambition against collective memory. It portrays Ferdinand and Imelda as rigorous strategists who shape public perception. The title question, martyr or murderer, frames how history may elevate or condemn leaders based on narrative. The theme explores how power preserves itself through loyalty, controversy, and spectacle.

🧭 Memory and Truth

Memory is contested in the narrative, with interviews and voice recordings hinting at selective truths. The characters grapple with what really happened, including Ninoy's fate, and who gets to tell the story. The film shows how history can be shaped by family lore, political agendas, and the press.

🗝️ Family Dynasty

The story centers on a multigenerational family whose bonds and rivalries drive political moves. Marriage, loyalty, and succession are used as tools to expand influence beyond personal affection. The characters navigate public roles and private ambitions in a way that reveals the mechanics of a lasting political dynasty.

🌍 Global Exile

Exile and international travel reveal how politics crosses borders and shapes perception. The Hawaii and New York City episodes show the diaspora’s longing and pressure the Marcos family faces abroad. The interlacing settings emphasize that national events resonate globally, influencing personal decisions and legitimacy.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:15

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Martyr or Murderer Summary

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