Truth Behind Mayors Playing Virgin Mary: Malabon Fake News vs. Pili Senakulo

The viral tarpaulin showing Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval dressed as the Virgin Mary is confirmed to be fake by local residents, featuring misspelled words and incorrect terminology. In contrast, Pili, Camarines Sur Mayor Marivic Solano is legitimately set to play the Virgin Mary in the upcoming Holy Week passion play, "An Pasyon ni Kristo," produced by her own company.

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📌 Key Points Summary

• Viral Misinformation: A digitally altered tarpaulin of Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval dressed as the Virgin Mary has been circulating online, drawing heavy and unfair criticism from netizens.

• Citizen Fact-Checkers: Observant residents of Malabon quickly debunked the image, pointing out glaring spelling errors in the mayor's name and the inappropriate use of Tagalog words.

• Linguistic Errors: The fake tarpaulin used the word "ipinagdiriwang" (celebrating) instead of the culturally appropriate "ginugunita" (commemorating) for Holy Week.

• Official Silence: As of late March 2026, the office of Mayor Sandoval has yet to release an official statement regarding the fabricated image.

• The Real Virgin Mary Portrayal: Meanwhile, in Pili, Camarines Sur, Mayor Marivic Solano is officially and legitimately taking on the role of the Virgin Mary in a local Senakulo (passion play).

• Historic Leadership: Mayor Solano, who made history as the first female mayor of Pili in May 2025, is participating in the play "An Pasyon ni Kristo."

• Community Production: The passion play is produced by MBS Production, a company associated with Mayor Solano, and will be staged on Holy Thursday, April 2.

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📰 Full Story Explained

The intersection of politics, religion, and social media in the Philippines often creates a whirlwind of public discourse, especially during deeply revered seasons like Holy Week (Semana Santa). Recently, the internet has been buzzing with two distinct stories involving local female mayors and the iconic religious figure of the Virgin Mary. However, these two stories sit on opposite ends of the truth spectrum—one is a malicious piece of fake news, while the other is a genuine display of faith and cultural participation.

The Fake Tarpaulin of Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval

In the days leading up to Holy Week, a controversial image began spreading like wildfire across various social media platforms. The image appeared to be a large tarpaulin featuring Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval. In the digitally manipulated picture, the mayor was depicted wearing the traditional garments of the Virgin Mary, seemingly offering a message of solidarity and greetings for the Lenten season.

Because the Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country that holds religious icons in the highest regard, the image immediately sparked outrage. Netizens, believing the tarpaulin to be a legitimate project funded by the local government, launched a barrage of criticism and bashing against Mayor Sandoval. Many accused her of crossing the line between public service and religious blasphemy, calling the supposed political stunt highly insensitive.

However, the outrage was built on a foundation of lies. Local residents of Malabon City quickly stepped up to defend the truth, thoroughly debunking the legitimacy of the tarpaulin. According to a concerned citizen who spoke with the media on Saturday, March 28, 2026, the screenshots circulating online are entirely fake.

The residents pointed out several glaring inconsistencies that proved the image was digitally altered by malicious actors. First, if the tarpaulin were an official release from the local government, it would have been posted on the official Facebook pages of Mayor Jeannie Sandoval and the Malabon City Government. A quick review of these official channels showed no trace of the controversial image.

Furthermore, the creators of the fake image made sloppy mistakes. Observant locals noticed that the spelling of Mayor Sandoval's name at the top of the tarpaulin was incorrect. Even more telling was the grammatical and contextual error in the message itself. The fake tarpaulin used the Tagalog word "ipinagdiriwang," which translates to "celebrating." In the context of Philippine Catholic tradition, Holy Week is a solemn time of reflection on the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. The correct and respectful term is "ginugunita," which means "commemorating" or "remembering."

Despite the viral nature of this fake issue and the intense judgment being hurled at her, Mayor Sandoval's camp has remained silent. Media outlets have reached out to her office and the contact numbers listed on her official Facebook page to get her side of the story, but as of this writing, no official statement has been released. Many supporters are urging the mayor to publicly clarify the issue to put an end to the unwarranted online attacks.

The Genuine Senakulo of Pili Mayor Marivic Solano

While Malabon deals with the fallout of digital misinformation, a completely different—and entirely true—story is unfolding in the Bicol region. In the municipality of Pili, Camarines Sur, Mayor Marivic Solano is preparing to take the stage as the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, in a local passion play.

Unlike the Malabon incident, this is not a political gimmick or a fake image. It is a legitimate theatrical and religious performance. Mayor Solano is set to participate in "An Pasyon ni Kristo" (The Passion of Christ), a traditional Senakulo that dramatizes the life, suffering, and crucifixion of Jesus.

Mayor Solano is a figure of historical significance in her town. In May 2025, she broke the glass ceiling by being elected as the very first female mayor of Pili. Her participation in the Senakulo is seen as a deeply personal and spiritual endeavor rather than a political one.

The passion play is being produced by MBS Production, a company owned by the mayor herself. The highly anticipated event is scheduled to be staged on Holy Thursday, April 2, within her municipality. The official Facebook page of "An Pasyon ni Kristo" has already released promotional materials, including the official poster and photographs of the cast members. Among these images is a striking photo of Mayor Solano, fully in character, ready to breathe life into the role of the Blessed Mother.

The news was further validated by Asintado News Radyo, a prominent radio station in the Bicol region. They confirmed Mayor Solano's participation, noting the profound symbolism behind her role. In the context of the play and the Catholic faith, the Virgin Mary represents unconditional love, profound humility, unwavering resilience, and steadfast faith amidst unimaginable trials. For a local leader to step into such a role requires a deep sense of community connection and spiritual dedication.

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📅 Timeline of Events

• May 2025: Marivic Solano makes local political history by being elected as the first-ever female mayor of Pili, Camarines Sur.

• Late March 2026: A digitally altered photo of a tarpaulin depicting Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval as the Virgin Mary begins to go viral on social media platforms, sparking unwarranted public outrage.

• March 28, 2026: Vigilant residents of Malabon City officially debunk the viral tarpaulin. They expose the image as fake by highlighting spelling errors and the inappropriate use of the word "ipinagdiriwang" (celebrating) instead of "ginugunita" (commemorating).

• Late March 2026: Media representatives attempt to contact Mayor Sandoval's office for an official statement regarding the fake tarpaulin, but receive no immediate response.

• Late March 2026: Asintado News Radyo officially confirms that Pili Mayor Marivic Solano will legitimately portray the Virgin Mary in a local passion play. Promotional posters are released on the official "An Pasyon ni Kristo" Facebook page.

• April 2, 2026 (Upcoming): Mayor Solano is scheduled to perform live in the "An Pasyon ni Kristo" Senakulo on Holy Thursday in the municipality of Pili.

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🤔 Why This Issue Matters

This dual narrative highlights several critical issues in today's digital and cultural landscape. First and foremost, it underscores the severe dangers of fake news and digital manipulation. In an era where images can be easily altered using basic editing software or artificial intelligence, public figures are highly vulnerable to smear campaigns. The fake Malabon tarpaulin proves how quickly misinformation can incite public anger and damage a reputation before the truth even has a chance to surface.

Secondly, this issue highlights the vital importance of media literacy and citizen fact-checking. The residents of Malabon serve as a prime example of responsible digital citizenship. Instead of blindly believing a viral post, they analyzed the image, checked official sources, and used their cultural and linguistic knowledge to identify the fraud.

Lastly, the story of Mayor Solano in Pili showcases the beautiful preservation of Philippine culture and tradition. The Senakulo is a cornerstone of Filipino Holy Week observances. When local leaders actively participate in these grassroots cultural events, it bridges the gap between the government and the community. It shows a leader's willingness to engage in the shared faith and traditions of their constituents, fostering unity and cultural pride.

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💬 Reactions (Fans / Public / Social Media)

Reactions to the Malabon Fake News:
The initial reaction on social media was overwhelmingly negative, with netizens harshly criticizing Mayor Sandoval for what they believed was a blasphemous and self-serving political advertisement. However, once the residents of Malabon began pointing out the errors and proving the image was fake, the tide turned. Many social media users expressed frustration at the creators of the fake image, condemning the use of religious icons for political sabotage. There is also a growing clamor from her constituents for the Mayor's office to release a statement and take legal action against the perpetrators of the fake news.

Reactions to the Pili Senakulo:
The public response to Mayor Marivic Solano's upcoming performance has been highly positive and supportive. Constituents in Pili and the wider Bicol region have expressed their excitement to see their first female mayor take on such a revered role. Many netizens have praised her humility and dedication to local traditions, noting that her participation brings a special significance to this year's Holy Week observances in their town.

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🔍 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Did Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval really dress up as the Virgin Mary on a tarpaulin?
No. The viral image circulating online is a digitally altered fake. Local residents confirmed that it was never posted on any official government pages and contains glaring spelling and grammatical errors.

How did people figure out the Malabon tarpaulin was fake?
Observant citizens noticed that the mayor's name was misspelled. Furthermore, the tarpaulin used the word "ipinagdiriwang" (celebrating) for Holy Week, whereas the culturally correct term is "ginugunita" (commemorating).

Who is the mayor actually playing the Virgin Mary in a play?
Mayor Marivic Solano of Pili, Camarines Sur, is legitimately playing the role of the Virgin Mary in a local passion play. She is notably the first female mayor of the municipality.

What is "An Pasyon ni Kristo"?
"An Pasyon ni Kristo" is a Senakulo, or a traditional Philippine passion play, that dramatizes the life, suffering, and death of Jesus Christ. It is produced by MBS Production and will be staged in Pili.

When will the Pili Senakulo take place?
The passion play featuring Mayor Solano is scheduled to be performed on Holy Thursday, April 2, 2026.

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🧠 Final Thoughts

The contrasting stories of Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval and Pili Mayor Marivic Solano serve as a powerful reminder of the complexities of the modern information age. On one hand, we see the destructive power of fake news and how easily religious sentiments can be weaponized to attack public figures. On the other hand, we witness the enduring beauty of cultural traditions and the positive impact of leaders who genuinely immerse themselves in the spiritual lives of their communities. As we navigate social media, especially during sacred times like Holy Week, it is our responsibility to remain vigilant, fact-check the content we consume, and celebrate the genuine expressions of faith and art in our local towns.

Original content source: Cabinet Files