Speech by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Wreath-Laying Ceremony in Honor of Former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.

Thank you very much to, well my son, the 1st District Congressman of Ilocos Norte Sandro Marcos for your—I thought you were going to make a speech? [laughter] So, but thank you for your greeting. [Please have a seat]

Our House Speaker, Speaker Bojie Dy; Ilocos Norte 2nd District Representative Angel Marcos-Barba; Ilocos Norte Governor Cecilia Marcos; NOLCOM Commander Lt. Gen. Aristotle Gonzalez; Batac City Mayor Markee Chua; and, of course, First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos [applause]; and 2nd District Representative—yeah, I mentioned you already, Angel, yeah. Kasi in the family we know his as Angel kasi mabait masyado kaya Angel [laughter]; the mayors, vice mayors, councilors, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Ilocos Norte; and all government officials and workers in government; my fellow workers in government and public service; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

Naimbag nga bigat kadakayo amin. (Magandang umaga sa inyo.)

Today, on the 11th day of September, we are here once again to celebrate what would have been 109th birthday of my father, Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.

Ngayon lang natin nasasabi ‘yung “Senior” because when my father was alive, it was okay for me. Sabi niya, “Si Bongbong puwede mag-junior ‘yan pero huwag ninyo akong ginagawang senior.”

But I’m sure that if he were alive at this point, then he would finally accept that this junior already has a senior. He would be surprised that the junior is actually technically a senior.

But I think the mayor of Batac up to now is still trying to give me my senior card. Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa tinatanggap. [laughter]

Si Albert pa ang mayor nun eh. When I turned senior, he came to me and he was with me when he celebrated my birthday. Sabi, “Nasa akin na ‘yung ano, nasa akin na ‘yung senior card mo, para may diskwento ka.”

Kako sa kanya, “Kahit magbayad ko ng doble, hindi ko tatanggapin ‘yang card na ‘yan.’ [laughter]

As we all can realize, and first of all, I would like to thank all of you for joining us in this celebration, because we have—this is an extremely important day for the family and for the province, and for that matter, for the history of the Philippines.

And we thank you for joining us in making this celebration once again meaningful, poignant, touching, and brings back the memory of a great man that we honor today.

It also serves as an occasion to remember the life of service and the lessons that he left us.

Of course, I first knew him as my father and the many of the lessons that I remember were the ones he taught me when I was still very young.

And it is remarkable because now I find myself in the position of President, and I am surprised. Once in a while, I surprise myself when I’m confronted with a situation and have a solution or at least a response, a proper response to those situations.

I also, I asked myself, “How is it that you knew how to address the challenges that were put before you?”

And I look back on my life and I say, it is remarkable because my father never sat me down and said, “The lesson for today is that you must learn this, that, and the other thing.” Hindi ganoon ang style nung aking ama.

His way was to teach by example and to teach by leadership. And even when I was just talking to him, even when I was just spending time with him, what rare time that was, I did not know it. But he was already teaching me, that he was already training me.

And he was training me not to become an important public figure, not to reach the heights of political leadership and position, but he taught me about public service.

And he always would say that you must make the—nothing worthwhile is achieved without great sacrifice. So, one lesson immediately that I remember was he would ever say, do not ever take the easy way out. Do what is right, no matter how difficult that may be.

But perhaps the most important lesson that I learned from him was, public service must be about your country and your countrymen.

It is a principle that guided him throughout his life. From his service as a soldier to his years in public office and eventually as president.

I today carry the responsibilities of that office, but the same principles continue to guide me every single day.

Because in every decision that we make, we must exercise judgment, put the national interest first, and ask what will best serve the Filipino people.

Because what we do in service of our people is not for ourselves. It is for the country, it is for the people. And you must always remember that there is no sacrifice too great for your people and for your country.

It is not a lesson only for those in government. It is something that all of us must carry into our everyday lives.

We must serve our fellows. We must do our part to leave the Philippines a better place than when we found it.

And it is also fitting today that in honoring my father, we also celebrate the people and the place that remains so close to his heart throughout his life.

So, I hope all of you enjoy the activities that we have prepared for everyone. We have events that showcase Ilocano’s—the Ilocano dishes and products, as well as music and performances that he enjoyed so much.

I think those of you who remember when my father was still alive, every time he would come in Batac or he would be staying in the house in Paoay, it was always very difficult for us to bring him back to Manila.

Because he was so comfortable, and this was, of course, the place that was closest to his heart, the people that were closest to his heart.

And more than anything, today I hope we enjoy this opportunity to once again gather as one community and celebrate the province that we all call home.

He loved this place, he loved his fellow Ilocanos. More than that, he loved his fellow Filipinos. And he loved his country to which he devoted his life.

That is the legacy that I carry with me. And so now, I devote my life in service of the Filipino. [applause]

Happy birthday, Dad. Thank you for the lessons you taught us. Thank you for the example of service that continues to guide us.

Diyos ti ag-ngina kadakayo amin. (God bless you all. Thank you.)

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