Marcos Loyalist Imelda Papin Joins PCSO Board of Directors
Proud Marcos loyalist and former vice governor of Camarines Sur Imelda Papin has been appointed "acting member" of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). President Bongbong Marcos himself officiated the oath-taking ceremony, which was held at the Study Room in Malacañan Palace on Tuesday (June 4).
According to the PCSO Charter, the Board of Directors have regulatory, operational, organizational, personnel and financial functions and powers. Papin's designation to the PCSO preceded the appointment of former Marikina court judge Felix Reyes as the new chair of the PCSO Board of Directors.
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The appointment also followed the announcement of the impending local and international release of Papin's biopic titled The Untold Story of Imelda Papin (formerly Loyalista: The Untold Story of Imelda Papin), produced by Papin’s Queenstar Film Productions. The film highlights the singer's stay in Hawaii, where she reunited with the exiled Marcos family following the February 1986 People Power revolution. The movie stars Claudine Barretto as Papin; Gary Estrada as her late husband, Bong Carrion; ER Ejercito as Ferdinand Marcos; and Alice Dixson as Imelda Marcos.
Close ties
Papin's name has been associated with the Marcoses since the height of her career in the '70s and '80s. Back then, the known jukebox queen—who later became known for songs like Guhit ng Palad, Bakit (Kung Liligaya Ka sa Piling ng Iba), Taksil, and Isang Linggong Pag-Ibig—was frequently invited to perform at the Palace, together with other Vicor and Blackgold artists.
In a coverstory.ph article, Dave Rojo, who worked as publicist for Vicor Music Corp. and worked in the United States before the 1986 Edsa Revolution, said Papin's success with her music at that time brought her close to the Marcos family. “Siyempre, sinakyan ‘yon ni Imelda Marcos dahil sikat ang mga kanta ni Imelda Papin sa masa—at magkapareho pa ang pangalan nila,” he said.
In the same story, the singer-turned-politician said she started being close to the Marcoses when she was invited to sing for KBL (Kilusan Bagong Lipunan) sorties at the time. “I was at the peak of my singing career. Kinuha nila akong magkampanya para sa kanila,” she said.
In 1982, their connection was further solidified when the then-First Couple served as the wedding sponsors for her marriage to Carrion.
