"What's wrong with shoes? I collected them because it was like a symbol of thanksgiving and love?"
-- Imelda Marcos, Associated Press article, in The Eye, November 1997
The evil deeds, corruption and excess that spawned from the Marcoses are widely documented but for some reason, the business with the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) construction is what stands out when I think of Imelda, and not her massive shoe collection.
In November 1981, the bodies of 169 workers were abandoned after an accident happened during the construction of the MIFF. Scaffolding collapsed and buried the workers in wet cement. Attempts to remove the bodies were reportedly halted by Imelda because she wanted to ensure the building opened on schedule for the Manila International Film Festival.
Gruesome pictures of protruding body parts that had to be sawed off so that cadavers were not in the way of the construction project are somehow etched in my mind.
3 comments:
Imelda R. Marcos is certainly a name that is known all over the world. I never met her personally although I knew her brother, the late Vicente Romualdez, Jr. I think he was her eldest brother. It was my father, Dr. Buenaventura Silva, who delivered her when she was born. I recall seeing a picture of her in her First Communion dress addressed to my father with a dedication in Spanish. I think the elder members of the Romualdez family was aware of this. But this was never publicised. As far as I know Imelda was born at the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Manila. The Romualdez family, was more known to the family of Mommy. They personally knew Imelda, and her sisters and brothers. I met Victoria (Toling) who later became the Philippine Cultural Attache, in Spain, at the home of Mommy. Toling was a very good friend of Auntie Dollie and used to play the violin. She and Vicenting were the only members of the Romualdez family that I came to personally know and this was only through Auntie Dollie and Auntie Lin. It really is a small world.
Daddy
Congratulations on your article about Imelda and Marcos. That is History and a lot of people don't know about all those dates.
Now, for your information,our family knew the Romualdez family. The older siblings of Imelda were good friends of my older siblings. One was the classmate of A.Lin. When one of Imeldas' sisters entered the convent, she went to our house to ask for my parents blessings and to say goodbye to all of us.When Imelda got married, she wanted A.Dollie to play the organ while her sister,Tuling would play the violin. A. Dollie said no because it was my wedding day too.One of Imeldas' first cousin used to court A.Dollie.Even if we knew them, we never voted for Marcos. Knowing the Romualdez is nothig to be proud of.
Mommy
After talking to you today, mom, I was amazed to learn something new about Imelda that actually makes me feel compassionate towards her.
YES, COMPASSIONATE.
I knew that Imelda's father had two sets of children. She was from 'a second set' of children. I have also always known that she lived the early part of her years growing up in a garage--while the 'first set' lived in "the main house".
I guess I assumed it was some illicit-mistress/love-children consequence.
And, because her older half sister was one of my aunt's bestfriends, I never thought more it. (??!!)
But today I found out that the only reason that the second wife (not mistress,mind you-the first wife died) and her children had to live in the garage was because the older Romualdez children were snobs and thought themselves better than the second wife and any children she had (even if they were half siblings to them). The original Romualdez children felt that just because they had money and were from some self elevated mestizo caste system, they treated the second wife (who was not from money), and her children (including Imelda) like dirt.
In my mind, shame on the Romualdezes for their inhumane treatment of Imelda and her mother.
Truly, money does not buy you class.
This does not justify the choices Imelda made, but in my mind it may be one of the reasons.
A child's formative years are very important.
It is extremely important to treat children with love and respect, because they will grow up giving what they receive. Imelda is a prime example.
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