Wishing a head of state a happy birthday indeed involves bigger things than the usual well wishes one receives on his special day.

For President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., it is not only the hopes for good health and happiness that poured in, but wishes for all his promises and duties to be fulfilled under his watch.

Marcos, the country's 17th president, is celebrating his 65th birthday today, Sept. 13, over two months after assuming the presidency.

While many Filipinos wished him good health and happy life, many others conveyed hopes that he will lead the country into stability, providing better lives for Filipinos.

"May God bless you with good health, give you wisdom and discernment as you lead our country to a brighter tomorrow for every Filipino," Facebook user Scruffie Tiu said under Manila Bulletin's birthday message "wall" for the President.

"Wishing our dear President a long, healthy and happy life so he can continue to serve the Philippines and to our people. That God will guide him with the best decision for the benefit of our country," Emma Raquidan also said.

The more 'pressing' wishes

In the middle of these well wishes, some have turned the President's birthday celebration into a platform to remind him of the pressing matters he has to address as the highest official of the land.

"Praying and hoping for more fruitful years to come with your administration especially in alleviating the flight of the poor people of our country and our (economy) situation. May God bless you with good health and the guidance you need as you go along the way as President of our country," Socorro Fuentes conveyed.

"Mr. President, make beautiful history rather than revising it," Josephine Plaza expressed. "It will divide us further."

Plaza also mentioned several issues Marcos needs to handle now that he is the highest-ranking official in the country such as letting the International Criminal Court (ICC) probe, setting former Senator Leila De Lima free, ending Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO), and reducing his confidential fund.

Plaza also left the President an advice to "watch the men around you."

The reminders

Birthday messages usually include gentle and the not-so gentle reminders, and the President also has a fair share of those.

"We wish him to be more competent, honest and not corrupt," Mark Cyril expressed.

Mayette Magtalas' message to the President echoed Cyril's thoughts saying, "First., good health, matupad niya lahat ng pangako niya sa sambayanang Pilipino, magkaroon siya ng matino at malinis na gobyerno, at patunayan na hindi nagkamali 'yong mga bumoto sa kanya (he keeps all his promises to the Filipino people, to have a clean and honest government, and prove that we did not make a mistake in voting for him)."

"Sana maging motto mo ay bayan muna bago sarili sa lahat ng pagkakataon (I hope your motto can be: the nation's interest first before oneself's)," Noreen Basa said.

Some wished that the President could lessen holding "party and family trips" and focus on the more pressing issues at present.

"Tama na po party at family trips, madami na pong pending issues at trabahong natengga (Enough with the party and family trips as there are many pending issues and work no). Advance happy birthday po," Allison Evangelista said.

Some also brought up controversies the President is involved in, wishing that he could finally do something about it now that he is in power.

Among these are calls for Marcos to pay tax and return his family's ill-gotten wealth.