Batac City—The National Historical Commission of the Philippines
(NHCP) officially turned over the biographical marker of Former President
Ferdinand E. Marcos (FEM) on September 10, at the recently-relocated
"Daytoy ti Bannawag" monument in this city.
Originally inaugurated in 1977, the monument, sculpted by Italian Giuseppe
Marinucci, was for Mr. Marcos’ 60th birthday and was originally
beside the current Marcos Museum.
Mr. Marcos, born on September 11, 1917, died in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1989.
His interment at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani (LNMB) in Taguig City was on November
18, 2016.
Ilocos Norte tourism office Aian B. Raquel shared, "It's a very
significant event that will serve as a real commemoration for the centenary of
Ferdinand Marcos as a president because it's the first standard-issue
government marker that says he's a former soldier, a former president."
He also explained that "the Batac plaza is undergoing thorough
redesign that integrates the buildings around the plaza." The new site of
the 40-year-old monument and of the NHCP marker faces the Immaculate Concepcion
Parish, and is across the Imelda Cultural Center.
"Aside from being a recognition of the historical significance of [Mr.
Marcos], it will serve as one of the attractions again in Batac, with… a more
tourist-friendly location," said Mr. Raquel.
Batac City's tourism industry became a concern for locals after Mr. Marcos’
remains was interred last year. His frozen remains displayed at the Marcos
Mausoleum, behind the Batac "minipark," was the city's primary
attraction for many years.
Part of Marcos' NHCP marker shall read, "Nagtapos ng abogasya sa
Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, 1939. Nanguna sa Pagsusulit sa Pagkaabogado, 1939.
Kasapi ng 14th Infrantry USAFIP-NL ng Kilusang Gerilya, 1944-1945. Nanungkulang
Kinatawan ng Ikalawang Distrito ng Ilocos Norte, 1949-1959; Senador, 1959-1965.
Pangulo ng Senado, 1963-1965. Pangulo ng Pilipinas, 1965-1986. Isinailalim ang
Pilipinas sa batas militar, 1972-1981. Nagpataupid ng mga programa, proyekto,
at batas sa ilalim ng balangkas ng 'Bagong Lipunan.'"
"We were made to understand that it's their mandate to really
commemorate historical milestones, and they see a centennial anniversary of the
birth of [Mr. Marcos] as a historical milestone," added Mr. Raquel.
The ceremonies and unveiling of the marker immediately followed the two-day
"Marcos 100 Forum: The North Remembers," a major highlight of the
former president's centenary celebration. A literary and arts festival was also
part of the activities.
A simultaneous flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies throughout Ilocos
Norte, with a corresponding commemoration at his grave in the LNMB marked Mr.
Marcos’ actual 100th birth anniversary on September 11, 2017. (Marcos
Presidential Center)
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