PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday led the commemoration of the 105th birthday of his late father and namesake, President Ferdinand Marcos, which he said is being done to keep his father’s memory, along with his dreams and love of country, alive.
The President, together with former First Lady Imelda Marcos, and sister Irene attended mass at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.
In a speech after the mass and offering of flowers, Marcos relayed his and his family’s gratitude not just for those who paid their respects to his father but also for the continuing support of their longtime allies and supporters.
He vowed to pay back their loyalty and love by giving his best performance throughout his term to realize his administration’s vision for a “better Philippines.”
“Marami rin nagtatanong, bakit tayo nagse-celebrate ng birthday ng ating minamahal kahit siya’y wala na. And I think it is only to keep, we do this 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. So let us keep that, 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,” he said.
Others who attended the mass were relatives, close friends, “loyalists” of the Marcoses who came in red shirts, and former Presidential Security Group close-in officers.
At the “Daytoy ti Bannawag” monument in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, First Lady Liza Marcos, and sons Simon and Vincent, and the President’s sister Sen. Imee Marcos led a wreath-laying ceremony.
Malacañang earlier declared September 12 as a special non-working day in Ilocos Norte in celebration of the late President’s birth anniversary.
