President Marcos has had many role models to look up to growing up as the son of the late former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., but none still compares to his mother, former first lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos, whom he described as a “makatao (people person)” and a “promdi (from the province).”

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and former first lady Imelda Marcos during the latter's 95th birthday celebration at the Malacañan Palace on July 2, 2024. (Photo from Bongbong Marcos Facebook page)

In his latest “BBM Vlog 261: Mama Meldy,” the Chief Executive talked about the former first lady, who has her own legion of supporters from all walks of life.

Asked about what he learned from his mother in terms of public service, Marcos admitted he still hasn’t gotten his mother’s charm and easygoing ways of dealing and engaging with people.

“Iyong makatao. Nakita ko sa mother ko kahit sinong kausap niya, kahit iyong mangingisda, kahit iyong queen of England, kahit iyong mayaman…kahit sino ang kaharap niya, may koneksyon kaagad (Being a people person. I saw in my mother no matter who she talks with, the fishermen, the queen of England, the rich… no matter who she’s dealing with, she build a connection instantly),” he said.

But what sets the former first lady apart is her charm as a “promdi.”

“Ang nanay ko talaga dapat maintindihan ninyo probinsyana talaga ‘yan (You should understand that my mom really is a countrywoman). She’s really promdi. I’m proud of it,” Marcos added.

“Iyan ang charm nya, hindi nawala sa kanya iyong pagkasimple niya na tao. Kaya kahit sinong kausap niya nagiging kaibigan niya kaagad (That’s her charm, she did not lose her simplicity. So, no matter who she talks with, she becomes close easily).”

The President furthered that his mother treats everyone equally—may they be politicians, kings, billionaries, or even drunkards.

“Pare-pareho ang trato niya (She treats them all the same),” he shared, while also lamenting that he hasn’t mastered the skill of befriending everyone he meets, unlike the Marcos matriarch.

“At saka nagiging kaibigan niya, nakukuha niya agad ang puso. Hindi ko pa rin na-master iyon, siya pa rin ang master (And she becomes friends with them, they fall for her. I haven’t mastered that yet, she’s still the master),” he said.