President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. thanked his family's long-time supporters for celebrating with them the 105th birth anniversary of his father on Sunday, Sept. 11.
The President and his family, including his mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, offered a mass for late former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at his grave at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.
In his brief remarks, Marcos Jr. conveyed his appreciation to all of the attendees during the holy mass, most of them are their family’s longtime supporters, for paying their respects every year to show their love for his departed father.
"I would just like, in behalf of the Marcos family, to thank you all for joining us to commemorate once again the birthday of President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos," the President said.
"Ngunit ang pasasalamat ko ay hindi lamang para sa araw na ito, ang pasasalamat ko ay sa taon-taon ninyong hindi kami iniiwanan, nakatutok kayo at sumusuporta (But my gratitude is not just for today but for being with us and supporting us every year)," he added.
The President also said that the annual commemoration of his father's birthday is "a rebirth, of not perhaps the physical body of Ferdinand Marcos, but it is a rebirth of his dreams, of his wisdom, of his love for his country."
Relatives, close friends, and former Presidential Security Group (PSG) close-in officers were also among those who went to commemorate the late president's birthday.
The Office of the President declared Sept. 12, Monday, as a special (non-working) day in the Province of Ilocos Norte to mark the 105th birth anniversary of the late President through Proclamation No. 53, series 2022.
It cited that the Office of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan requested that Sept. 12, 2022 be declared a special (non-working) day in lieu of Sept. 11, 2022 which falls on a Sunday, in order to enable the people of Ilocos Norte to celebrate and pay their annual tribute to the nation’s 10th President “with appropriate ceremonies, subject to the public health measures of the national government.”
Marcos Jr. will also celebrate his 65th birthday on Sept. 13, Tuesday.