Jacqueline Comes Home (The Chiong Story) Premieres in Cebu

One of the most controversial and gruesome crimes that rocked the nation has finally made the cinemas. The abduction and murder case of Marijoy and Jacqueline Chiong, otherwise known as the Chiong sisters, in 1997 was made into a film directed by Ysabelle Peach Caparas, the daughter of Carlo J. Caparas and premiered in Cebu on July 17, 2018.

Photo by Gabriel Raphael Constantine Bumanglag

Present in the red carpet premiere were Mrs. Thelma Chiong and Mr. Dionisio Chiong, the parents of Marijoy Chiong and Jacqueline Chiong. Also present in the premiere were Director Ysabelle Peach Caparas along with her father, Carlo J. Caparas and her brother CJ Caparas, the latter also starring in the film as one of the perpetrators. Meg Imperial (Chain Mail, Ex with Benefits), who portrayed Jacqueline Chiong, was also present in the red carpet along with Donnalyn Bartolome (Bakit Lahat ng Gwapo May Boyfriend?, This Time), who portrayed Marijoy Chiong.

Photo by Gabriel Raphael Constantine Bumanglag

In an interview, Director Ysabelle Caparas said that making the film was not easy because of the controversies surrounding the Chiong’s case. She also said that she had to arm herself with the most knowledge as she could so she could produce a film that is not biased and a film that will not make you feel one thing.

Carlo J. Caparas said in an interview that Donna Villa, his late wife who is also a Cebuana, wanted to make a film about the Chiong sisters for a long time but it did not come to fruition. Ysabelle Peach Caparas wanted to make the film as a tribute to her late mother.

Photo by Aljun Cainghog

“Unang-una, taga Cebu si my late wife (Donna Villa). Tuwing dadaan kami sa Tanauan, Carcar humihinto kami… Gusto niya raw gawin yung movie about sa Chiong sisters, being a Cebuana… Kaya nung nawala yung wife ko, my late wife, nung gagawa si Ysabelle Peach, my daughter’s first movie niya in Cebu, sabi ko merong project ‘yung mommy niya, gusto ng mom mo (The Chiong sisters’ story),” Carlo J. Caparas said.

The red carpet premiere ended in a photo opportunity for fans with the stars in the film. (Aljun Cainghog)