Marcos unveils ambition, controversial past
Marcos unveils ambition, controversial past
By Ed Marso
MANILA (UPI): Imelda Marcos continues to be the weeping widow of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos as she battles her way to the Philippines' House of Representatives.
The 65-year-old widow talks to UPI about her political ambition, her husband, and her controversial past. Following are excerpts of the interview:
Q: Do you see this Congress bid as a vindication of the Marcos name?
A: Oh, definitely. It's really not only a vindication. Truth has prevailed. The voice of the people is the voice of God. But more than anything, I really would like to do something for the people of Leyte.
Q: Is this a prelude to a higher position in the years to come?
A: I am not (aiming) for the position. This is not for ambition but for compassion.
Q: But do you see yourself running again in 1998?
A: I don't know. I can't see the future. I just try to make the best of what can be done today. I don't even know if I will be here tomorrow.
Q: If your husband could see you now, what would he be thinking?
A: I'm sure he'd be smiling, happy. Initially, when we were married, I was very allergic to politics. Now I'm like a fish thrown into water. I feel it is my responsibility to continue the legacy and the commitment of my husband that this nation will be great again.
Q: What is the most important thing your husband ever told you?
A: Oh, there were so many important things, he was such a wise man. Like me, he was a great romanticist. And I think he taught me courage -- a lot of courage to reach out for my dreams and my visions for my country.
Q: How much of Imelda has been influenced by Ferdinand Marcos?
A: Oh, Imelda Marcos now is an influence of many things ---- of people, of the country and the world.
Q: What is the greatest compliment you have ever received?
A: The greatest compliment given to me ever was from Chairman Mao: "We like Mrs. Marcos because she's so natural." And that means perfection. Come to think of it, is there anything imperfect in nature?
I try to beautify the country, they call it extravagance, frivolity. They laugh at me and call me Imeldific, meaning extravagant, frivolous and excessive. But when you love, you give it all. I'm always misunderstood because of what they call frivolity, extravagance and selfishness. But I'm selfless, and that's really true. It's even my philosophy that the only thing you keep in life are those you give away.
In my years of exile in a foreign country and I was alone, widowed and orphaned from my country, somehow blessings, support and love would come from everywhere. Indeed, what you plant, you reap. Karma. I'm a believer of that.
I may be an idiot and crazy and all of that, but my life has been so blessed. How can I not be a romanticist, an optimist? more
Q: You say you've been widowed and orphaned. Do you feel alone now?
A: No. The spirit of Ferdinand is with me and the love of my friends is with me. I carry them with me all the time. If I make a decision, I feel safe. If Ferdinand were here, how would he do it? So now I start to learn how to think and be more rational. Also, I carry the love of my parents. It teaches me how to take care of my children, because the love that they give me is total and selfless. It's a great thing to emulate because children need selfless love and total love. Again, it has been a beautiful life in a beautiful world.
Q: Can you quantify your happiness?
A: I can never quantify happiness. First of all, I'm so happy that there's a God that keeps this world intact, in order, in love and beautiful.
Q: Are you satisfied with the way you've lived your life or do you have any regrets?
A: I'm really funny because I have no regrets. Maybe I should have been smarter, but then again, if I were smarter I'd be a bit cynical and I don't want to be cynical. I want to be pure and not lose the child-like attitude towards everything. The child in you must never leave you, otherwise, you'll get old soon and angry with the world.
Q: At what point in your life were you most down?
A: The point in my life when I was most down was when I was abroad. Not only that I lost my husband, not only that we were deprived of so many things. But for me, to be deprived of country is the worst thing that can happen to you. I felt like a tree that had been uprooted.... It's like a slow death.
Q: Can you recall any embarrassing moments?
A: Oh I have many embarrassing moments. One even got me into real trouble and created a great opponent of my husband. One day in Congress, I saw this lady and I thought she was on the family way, and my usual trying to be caring and trying to be sensitive to the condition, I said, "Madam, oh, when are you going to give birth?" Only to find out that she was not going to give birth and she was just fat! She was angry at me. She never forgave me, and for that matter they went all out against my husband. That really got me into trouble.
Q: What about the cases filed against you in court, aren't you embarrassed by them?
A: I think it's a joke. I don't think it's an embarrassment because I know the truth. It will not inflict you if you are at peace, and I'm at peace.