BATAC CITY (PIA) — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. visits his home-province to join Ilokanos in the celebration of the 105th birth anniversary of the late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos on September 11.

The president arrived at exactly 12:20 p.m. at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Monument in Batac City to serve as the guest of honor and speaker during the celebration. 

He was joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and First District Representative Sandro Marcos. 

In his message, he expressed his delight to be back home and celebrate his victory as President of the Republic of the Philippines while at the same time, give honor to his late father with the Ilokano community. 

“Well, I think it is very appropriate especially this year, I think it’s a very meaningful celebration of all my father’s birthdays, because it is very clear that there has been very much a rebirth in the country. And why do I say that? I say that because those of us who have kept his memory alive, who have kept the sense of duty and commitment to the Philippines alive, in all the times that were very very difficult, and have continued to be constant in the belief of what my father started, that what my father wanted to do was that something that was honorable, something that was noble, and that was service to his country and to his people,” said Marcos Jr. 

He also highlighted the values of honor, duty, and compassion exemplified by Marcos Sr. which will serve as his guide in leading the country being the next Marcos leader put into the highest position in the land.

“We return now, and that is why I consider it, in a way, a rebirth of Philippines because we return to the values we have learned from President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos. We return to the values of honor, and of duty, and of compassion. These are the elements that sometimes we have found lacking in the past few years, and this is our opportunity to return it, not only to the government but to every part of our society,” added Marcos Jr.

After delivering his message, he then proceeded to the Imelda Cultural Center for the Natnateng Cooking Showdown which features creativity and innovative take of local food enthusiasts on the Ilokano dishes such as pinkabet and dinengdeng, which are mostly favorite food of the former president. 

Simultaneous with the thanksgiving mass and wreath-laying ceremony at the Marcos Monument led by Senator Imee Marcos, the president also attended a thanksgiving mass, along with former First Lady Imelda Marcos and sister Irene Marcos-Araneta, in honor of Marcos Sr. 

In the afternoon, Marcos Jr, along with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and First District Representative Sandro Marcos, graced the opening of the newly-refurbished Museo Ilocos Norte in Laoag City.

On September 8, the Palace has declared September 12, Monday, a special non-working holiday in the Province of Ilocos Norte to commemorate the 105th birth anniversary of the late former president Ferdinand E. Marcos. The Office of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan requested that September 12 be declared a special non-working holiday in lieu of the actual birthday of the late president on September 11, which falls on a Sunday. (JCR/JNPD/MJTAB PIA Ilocos Norte)