September: A Month of Birthdays and Reflections
Long before 9/11 became a date to remember, it held a different significance for me – Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s birthday. September is a month of special importance for the Marcos family. In addition to the declaration of martial law on September 21, there were three birthdays to celebrate: Ferdinand Sr. on the 11th, Ferdinand Jr. on the 13th, and Irene on the 16th.
On September 11, 1973, Marcos made an entry in his diary: “My birthday – The theme was austerity, no frivolity. A mass and ecumenical blessing took place in front of Maharlika, followed by exhibits showcasing our accomplishments. A diplomatic toast was made, and later we used the power of Hydrazine, which is currently under experimentation by our experts, to watch the Mohammad Ali-Ken Norton fight, which Ali won on a split decision.”
Throughout the day, Marcos received numerous visitors, including Tondo slum dwellers who were given 96 apartments, the heirs of Sultan Kudarat, university heads and scholars, international students, boy scouts, barangays, as well as the Quezon guerillas and the United States Army Forces in the Philippines-Northern Luzon. A cabinet meeting was also held from 1-3 PM.
Although Marcos had emphasized austerity for his 62nd birthday, some individuals organized an evening birthday program at Luneta with 500 movie, television, and radio stars. There were unexpected surprises, such as top brass of the Armed Forces of the Philippines appearing in drag. Marcos found the performance so amusing that he exclaimed, “They looked so credible – like street walkers.” Little did he know that this event would later contribute to his downfall in 1986, as Fidel Ramos stated after the fact.
Reading the Marcos diaries in retrospect provides valuable perspective. For instance, one of the birthday presents he received that year was a bronze bust from the University of the Philippines, which prompted him to reflect on the downfall of leaders who begin to feel indestructible and infallible. These words prove to be prophetic.
The diary entry for September 13, 1973, notes Ferdinand Jr.’s birthday: “Bongbong’s birthday! He is now 16 years old. And he has left his mark on my diary.” Interestingly, Bongbong actually wrote a line and initialed it “FRMII” on the pages of his father’s diary, which one would only know if reading an annotated version of the text.
The Marcos family took a break at Lido Beach, where Ferdinand Sr. enjoyed water skiing. However, a dramatic incident occurred when Tina Revilla was stung by a jellyfish, leading to an allergic reaction. Marcos documented the chaos that ensued and Tina’s hospitalization at the Makati Medical Center. The medical staff was supposedly distracted by the attire of the caretakers, who wore short shorts.
As the diary entry continues, Bongbong interjected by writing, “This statement has caught my attention, and I am suing for libel FM II.” In the end, Tina made a swift recovery and was already cracking jokes in bed by 5:00 PM, with a low neckline that caught Marcos’ attention.
The Marcos diaries provide a glimpse into the personal life of the president, showcasing moments of playfulness, reflection, gossip, and quality time with his children when they were on holiday from their studies in London. Marcos expressed his joy at having his two children, Bongbong and Irene, with him but also anticipated the loneliness that would return when they departed.
The Marcos diaries offer a front-row seat to what was happening in Malacañang. However, it is crucial to read them critically, as they are self-serving documents that reflect Marcos’ perspective. After reading about these experiences, one might wonder why individuals aspire to the heavy responsibility and loneliness of the presidency.
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