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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos to Filipinos in Hawaii: Thanks for 'keeping our family alive' during 6-year exile

Marcos to Filipinos in Hawaii: Thanks for 'keeping our family alive' during 6-year exile

Published Nov 19, 2023 07:51 am

At A Glance

  • According to Marcos, people tend not to believe his story, but the Filipinos in Hawaii were the ones who provided them with their needs when they left the Malacañan Palace with nothing in February 1986.
  • Marcos said he and his family would forever be grateful to the Filipinos in Hawaii and would carry their kindness in their hearts.

"The people we owe a debt of gratitude that we will never be able to repay."

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (RTVM Screenshot)
REMINISCING — President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. smiles as he recognizes familiar faces during his meeting with the members of the Filipino community in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Nov. 18, 2023. Marcos said these were the people who helped his family during their exile. (RTVM Screenshot)

This was how President Marcos described the Filipino-Americans in Hawaii as he looked back and thanked them for keeping his family "alive" during their exile there.

In his meeting with the members of the Filipino community in Honolulu on Nov. 18, the President said Hawaii holds a very special place in his heart, citing the "wonderful experiences" they had there.

"These are the people that kept us alive for six years," he said.

According to Marcos, people tend not to believe his story, but the Filipinos in Hawaii were the ones who provided them with their needs when they left the Malacañan Palace "with nothing" in February 1986.

"We had nothing with us; they kept everything to inspect everything. These are the people who kept body and soul together of the Marcos Family," he said.

"Even ultimo damit namin, sila ang nagbigay. Sila nagpapakain sa amin. Pati yung mga appliance doon sa Makiki [Heights] sila ang nagdala (They were the ones who gave us clothes, fed us, and gave us appliances in Makiki Heights)," he added.

"Pagka kami ay nalulungkot, sila ang nagpapasaya sa amin. Kung hindi sa inyo, palagay ko wala na ang pamilyang Marcos kaya't hindi ko makakalimutan (When we felt said, they made us happy. If not for you, I think the Marcos family is long gone that's why I won't forget you)," he continued.

With this, President Marcos said he and his family would forever be grateful to the Filipinos in Hawaii and would carry their kindness in their hearts.

"We could not have survived a very difficult period if not for you. Even if I thank you every day for 1,000 years, it is not enough for all the things that you did for us," he said.

"These are the people that we, as a family, as individuals, owe a debt of gratitude that we will never ever be able to pay," he added.

The infamous former president Ferdinand Marcos was ousted through the peaceful EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986. The Marcoses were forced to leave the country and fled to Honolulu, Hawaii, on a US military aircraft.

In an interview in San Francisco, President Marcos said he does not need to forgive anybody for what happened to his family, recognizing that the people back then were fighting for their beliefs.

"If this is what they believe that they should do, then hindi lang nagpareho 'yung aming pag-iisip o paniniwala (we just didn't see eye to eye)," he said.

"Ipaglalaban ko yung aking paniniwala. Pinaglaban nila yung kanilang paniniwala. Eh, ganyan ang naging resulta, eh ‘di ganyan (I'll fight for my beliefs, they fought for theirs. That's the result, then that's it). It’s life," he added.

"That's what life – well, at least my life, that's what it's like, that's what it's about," he continued.

According to Marcos, he did not take what happened to his family personally.

"I think, siguro (perhaps) by now – I hope by now you have realized hindi ako namemersonal (that I don't take things personally). They don't need my forgiveness. If they want it, I will give it to them," he said.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos PBBM in USA EDSA People Power Revolution President Marcos
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