IN MEMORIAM. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (right) attends a Mass in honor of his late father, former president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., at Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on Sunday (Sept. 11, 2022). The family is commemorating the 105th birth anniversary of Marcos Sr. (Courtesy of BBM Facebook)
MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday thanked supporters who paid respects to his father, former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., on his 105th birth anniversary.
“Salamat sa taun-taon ninyong pagsama sa amin upang sariwain ang kanyang alaala at magpaabot ng inyong suporta (Thank you for joining us every year to refresh his memory and extend your support),” the President said in his speech at Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City where a Mass was held. “Ang isusukli ko lang sa inyo, sa inyong suporta, sa inyong pagmamahal ay ang magagandang performance na aking gagawin sa darating na taon (I can repay your support, your love with good performances in the coming year).”
The President was joined by his mother, Imelda, other family members, friends, former Presidential Security Group close-in officers and longtime supporters.
Marcos said the celebration of his father’s birth anniversary is “to keep his memory alive.”
“It is a rebirth, of not perhaps the physical body of Ferdinand Marcos, but it is a rebirth of his dreams, of his wisdom, of his love for his country,” Marcos said. “Let us keep that flame alive. It is reborn. Let us keep it strong and bright and let it guide us through all that we do in the future in the service of our beloved Philippines.”
Marcos then proceeded to Ilocos Norte to attend festivities in honor of his father.
A thanksgiving mass was held at Immaculate Conception Church in Batac City followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Ferdinand E. Marcos monument, led by First Lady Liza Marcos, Senator Imee Marcos, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc, and the President’s sons, Simon and Vincent.
The President visited the Imelda Cultural Center, also in Batac, where a natnateng (vegetables) cooking showdown was held among 21 towns and two cities.
The Office of the President declared Monday, September 12, a special non-working day in Ilocos Norte to mark the birth anniversary of the late Marcos Sr. and enable the people of Ilocos Norte to celebrate and pay its annual tribute to the nation’s 10th President “with appropriate ceremonies, subject to the public health measures of the national government.” (PNA)
