President Marcos on Monday, Sept. 11, led the celebrations for his father former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.'s 106th birth anniversary in his hometown of Batac, Ilocos Norte.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. offers flowers during a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in Batac, Ilocos Norte on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in commemoration of the 106th birth anniversary. (PPA POOL/ NIÑO JESUS ORBETA)
He was joined by the First Family for a Thanksgiving Mass at the Immaculate Conception Parish - Batac before the wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of his father in Batac.
“Your legacy lives on, and for as long as I'm here, I will use everything I learned from you to continue your work,” the President said on his official Facebook page.
Malacañang earlier declared Sept. 11, 2023 as a special non-working holiday in Ilocos Norte to mark Marcos Sr.’s birth anniversary.
After the wreath-laying ceremony, the President joined cooks from various municipalities in Ilocos Norte for the “Natnateng Cook-Off Showdown.”
It showcased local vegetable dishes and other delicacies that the province is famous for.
He also graced the official launch of the 2023 Mariano Marcos State University - Philippine Rice Research Institute (MMSU-PhilRice) Rice Paddy Art at the MMSU campus in Batac.
The rice paddy art this year features the younger Marcos himself and his administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” tagline, which aims to support the government’s goal of achieving food security and improving the agriculture sector for the benefit of l Filipinos.
The project was established in 2018 between the MMSU and PhilRice.
The rice paddy art is done annually to pay tribute to exemplary Filipinos who contributed to the development of the country’s agriculture and nation-building.
It aims to promotes agri-tourism and showcases various rice production technologies in the province.
The MMSU also hopes for the Rice Paddy Art project to inspire and encourage the youth to pursue agriculture-related careers to help the country in making innovative ways to sustain agricultural sustainability.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos joined the President in the ceremony.
Also present were Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, Ilocos Norte Vice Gov. Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief Gen. Romy Brawner, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Benjie Acorda, Mayor Albert Chua, and other government officials and employees.