MR. PHILIP CU UNJIENG: If you don’t mind, we’ll move over to the lighter side of things now.
At the PICC, you were congratulating your wife in terms of the many accomplishments she has done in the three years that you’ve assumed the presidency. How many brownie points is that good for?
PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. MARCOS JR.: I hope a lot. I’m going to live off that for as long as I can.
MR. CU UNJIENG: But obviously, you really see the asset in terms of how she drives things and moves things forward.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: She just doesn’t let go of something. Once she gets hold of something and she decides to do it, she actually gets it done. And she’s very effective.
She’s a smart girl. I mean, what can I say? I mean, and her legal trainer – her legal training serves her well.
I brought it up during the PICC was that I was really amazed at the progress that they had made from the time that they began until the time that we went there and cut the ribbon and you know had our little ceremony.
The PICC looked like when we first opened it.
MR. CU UNJIENG: Okay.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: It was really shiny and bright, and we were featuring once again all of the – the artwork.
You know because you walk in – we go, we walk in and out of there we don’t really look at it the…
MR. CU UNJIENG: Yeah, I know, yeah, yeah.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: But of course, this was a chance, I said, yeah, I remember there’s that Joya that was commissioned by my mother, that’s ano Arturo Luz’s sculpture, all of these things.
And you know, it’s back to its old glory.
MR. CU UNJIENG: That’s nice.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: And so, you know, she deserves –
MR. CU UNJIENG: A pat on the back.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: At the very least, at the very least.
MR. CU UNJIENG: And for next year, because we have the ASEAN – we’re hosting the ASEAN next year. So, that will be playing a big role na the PICC?
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Oh, yes. The PICC… Thank God that we have the PICC.
MR. CU UNJIENG: Not many people in the public know that you’re the kusinero ng pamilya, ‘di ba? You’re actually the one cooking on the weekends, right? Because Lisa, I know, doesn’t cook. Lisa doesn’t cook ‘di ba?
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Well, I try, I try. I kinda try.
MR. CU UNJIENG: What’s your favorite Ilocano dish, for example, that you prepare?
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Me? Oh my gosh. That’s easy – pakbet.
MR. CU UNJIENG: Your three boys, we were mentioning them. They’re all very different, no?
PRESIDENT MARCOS: They are.
MR. CU UNJIENG: How do you bond with each one? Because, I mean, each one will have a very different personality. You have to spend specific time with each one ‘no?
PRESIDENT MARCOS: I don’t know. I don’t really have to think about it because I’ve always treated them as whole persons.
MR. CU UNJIENG: Yeah.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: I never sort of said, this is a child you need to… For example, I never did baby talk. I thought that’s the most silly thing to do.
MR. CU UNJIENG: Okay.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: And I just dealt with them as people.
MR. CU UNJIENG: Yeah.
PRESIDENT MARCOS: And it’s developed over the years and – yeah, you’re correct. They’re very distinct in their personalities.
But over the years, we’ve already developed a way of relating. And each one is very different. But they all crack me up. They all make me laugh a lot.
MR. CU UNJIENG: Okay. And if any girl wanted advice on how to make you a lolo, what would you advise the girl? Or becoming your daughter-in-law?
PRESIDENT MARCOS: Well, I’m at the stage in my life where I would say, yes, please. But I would also add good luck. Knowing my sons, good luck with that.
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