President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday paid tribute to his mother, former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos, who has made significant and long-lasting contributions to national development.
In his new vlog, President Marcos cited the specialty hospitals and arts institutions his mother established out of her compassion to Filipinos and appreciation of their talents.
The President recalled how his mother came up with various projects that brought international recognitions for the Philippines during the administration of his father and namesake, former president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.
He narrated: “(M)y mother always tells a story na noong bagong upo ng aking ama bilang Pangulo ay tinanong niya sa kanya: Okay, you are now the President. Ako naman First Lady, ano ang trabaho ko? Ano’ng role ko?
Ang sagot sa kanya ng aking father: ‘I will take care of the body of the nation, you must take care of the soul.’ And that is why pinasukan niya ang mga arts, ang kultura. ‘Yan ang naging advocacy niya. Ang pagka-Pilipino natin ay maipagmalaki uli natin,” President Marcos narrated.
Being the handler of the “soul” of the Philippines, the former First Lady built the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the Folk Arts Theater. She also established specialty hospitals like the National Kidney Center, the Children’s Hospital and the Heart Center, the President said.
The President said his mother had many projects that continue to benefit millions of Filipinos. The projects helped generations of Filipinos, including those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Napakarami. Siguro para sa lahat nadaanan ‘yung nakaraang tatlong taon, ramdam na ramdan ‘yung kanyang specialty hospital. Dahil ‘yung kanyang mga specialty hospitals—Kidney Center, ‘yung Heart Center, ‘yung Children’s Hospital — lahat ng specialty hospital, ang daming binuhay ‘yan,” Marcos said.
The Chief Executive added he wants to continue what her mother started on the specialty hospitals. According to him, the government is eyeing to build more specialty hospitals to serve more Filipinos.
He said the former First Lady is passionate about everything. However, the President said what she enjoyed the most was cultivating the arts and culture of the Philippines. She loved developing world-class Filipino talents, he pointed out.
“Simula nga noong umupo ako, nakita ko, tama naman. Ang galing, galing ng Pinoy; ang bait, bait ng Pinoy; ang husay, husay ng Pinoy. Dapat talagang mahalin. Dapat talagang tulungan,” he added.
When asked what important trait from his mother has he applied in serving the people, the President said it’s the former First Lady’s innate love for the Filipino people.
“Yung makatao. Nakita ko sa mother ko, kahit sinong kausap n’ya, kahit yung mangingisda. Kahit yung Queen of England. Kahit yung mayaman. Kahit yung kapitbahay n’ya noong nasa Tolosa pa s’ya. ‘Yung mga classmate n’ya noong nasa eskwelahan s’ya. Kahit sino ang kaharap n’ya, may koneksyon kaagad,” the President said.
“Ang nanay ko talaga dapat maintindihan ninyo, probinsyana talaga ‘yan e. She’s really promdi, I’m proud of it. And that’s… ‘Yan ang charm n’ya eh. Hindi nawala sa kanya yung pagka-simple n’ya na tao,” he pointed out.
“Kaya kahit sinong kausap n’ya, nagiging kaibigan n’ya kaagad. I’ve seen it. Ka-deal n’ya yung mga mayayabang na politiko. May ka-deal s’ya na isang lasing. May ka-deal s’ya na bastos. May ka-deal s’ya na Hari ng kung saan. May ka-deal s’ya na bilyonaryo. Pare-pareho trato n’ya. Atsaka nagiging kaibigan, nakukuha n’ya kagad ‘yung puso. Hindi ko pa rin na-master ‘yun. S’ya pa rin ang master.”
The President admitted he has to live up to his mother’s achievements every single day. As President now, he said he has realized how difficult it was for his mother and father to achieve what they have accomplished.
The President pointed out that he’s very much inspired by his parents’ feats as a result of their love for the country.
“Ang nakita ko, hindi lang mother ko yung magulang ko. Lahat ng kanilang ginagawa nanggaling, dahil mahal na mahal nila ang Pilipino, mahal na mahal nila Pilipinas. Magpapakamatay sila para sa Pilipino. Magpapakamatay sila para sa Pilipinas,” President Marcos said. | PND
