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9/11 and the great Apo Marcos

PNoy says no to state burial for the toppled dictator under his administration. Senator Bongbong Marcos, on the other hand, to his dismay uttered, “It is very hard to deal in good faith with somebody who does not have one word on the subject”, believing that all the discussions, studies, and debates were all for show. But PNoy insists further that rendering honors for Marcos would be the height of injustice for human rights victims of the Martial Law era. Ironically, our good senator recalled that one of PNoy’s promises during the campaign period was to consider giving a state burial to the great Apo. 

At any rate, it’s worthwhile to remember the great Apo Marcos. Probably, this is the reason why our country could not really move forward because of too much hatred that is instilled in the minds of our 3G leaders where they cannot just forget the lessons from the past.

This  month, worldwide media have been giving attention anew to the most significant event  yet to occur in this new century—the September 11, 2001 attack on the United States, which has precipitated a global campaign and war  against terrorism that continues up to this day.

As the world remembers this dreadful day that leveled to the ground the twin towers  of  New York, Ilocos Norte cannot but help remember a joyous event, which has made September 11 of each year a time to celebrate—even long before the terrorist attack ever came to the mind of its perpetrators.

For quite a period during the reign of late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, September 11, including the days prior or after it, has always been overcast with some rain showers—it was described as Marcos weather.

It was this day in 1917 when Ferdinand was born in Sarrat.  A person who later would become one of the most loved—and hated—leader in Philippine history.
Indeed history has been both kind and unkind to the late President.  But no matter what people say for or against Apo Marcos,  there is no denying that he was, and so far, one of the most brilliant minds that the country ever had.

A comprehensive account of his personal and long political career would undoubtedly attest to this, although his political adversaries may not totally agree.

No wonder, the man was able to climb to power swiftly at a young age and hang on to it for 20 years despite all obstacles coming from all fronts.

To borrow the words of Isabelo Crisostomo, “The dispatch and decisiveness with which President Marcos proceeded to restructure Philippine society was unprecedented.  It could have been accomplished only by a leader who, before making decisions, had evaluated and analyzed all factors and all possible consequences of his decisions.”

Therefore, he did—his rise and fall had shown this clearly well.

Nevertheless, we remember Apo Marcos, for whose brilliancy and eloquence remains unmatched by any political figure up to the present.

The fact that the grounds of his ouster have yet to be proven—25 years have since passed—only shows a growing vindication. Five presidents have come; clear judgment has yet to be rendered.

With this sign alone, who could prevent Ilocos Norte from recalling and remembering a son, who, as years pass by, seemed to have been misjudged, after all?

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