Skip to main content

If I were in your shoes, ...





Imelda Marcos turns 80 on July 2, 2009 and told the Associated Press in an interview that “she is nearly broke”.
“Here I am, at 80, still struggling to look presentable,” the widow of former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos told the news agency in “her swank two-storey penthouse in Manila, wearing a dark red dress over matching pants and red slippers”.
Imelda, whose shoe collection became a worldwide symbol of extravagance, and Ferdinand fled the Philippines in 1986 following the “people power” uprising, which installed Mrs Corazon Aquino as the next president.
According to a 1990 news report, she left behind 508 gowns, 427 dresses, 71 pairs of sunglasses and 1,060 pairs of shoes.
Nicknamed the “Iron Butterfly” during her 20 years as First Lady, Imelda was at one time known as the “Muse of Manila”.
The way she had earned the title gave a fascinating glimpse into her philosophy of life: take EVERY opportunity that presents itself!
She had entered the Miss Manila contest at the age of 20 but was not selected as a finalist.
She felt crushed by the outcome and pleaded with the then mayor, accusing the judging panel of vote-rigging.
The mayor, who was partial to pretty girls, fell for her charms and appointed her the “Muse of Manila” to cheer her up.
Imelda continues to shock the world with her comments. The tone of her "broke" declaration is consistent with the general tenor of previous remarks.
The following are a few examples.
Imelda on her shoes, jewels and paintings
“Shoes are not even my weakness. Many of the paintings I bought were for our poor museums at home. As for jewels, I was blessed with a husband who was very generous to me,” – July 1990.
“Before I had 3,000 pairs. Now the official count is only more than 1,000. Where have the rest gone?” – November 1991.
Imelda on Mrs Corazon Aquino
“I will ask her what it is she is angry about, what it is I have done. If I have done something wrong, I will say I’m sorry and do what I have to do,” – November 1991.
“I am so sorry for her and ultimately for the country. She had all this opportunity. Everybody wanted to give her a chance, and she blew it. – January 1992.
Imelda on aspirations to run for presidency
“When the people speak, Imelda follows. I am now considering all options for the survival of our country.” – December 1991
Imelda on her concern for Filipinos
“As long as there is one Filipino who is poor, Imelda’s work will not be over. I am my little people’s star and slave, ” – December 1991
NOTE: Imelda's collection of shoes is on display at the Marikina Shoe Museum. For more on Imelda Marcos visit this site.
TOP PICTURE: Imelda Marcos at her 70th birthday party on July 2, 1999
BOTTOM PICTURE: An official of Marikina's tourism council showing off Imelda's shoes on August 16, 1999
PHOTOS: AFP, AP (New Straits Times Photo Library)
Labels:

Comments

Anonymous said…
I can never be sure whether Imelda is really the deluded person she is, or whether it is all one big clever act. But she has made herself into an icon that - love her or hate her - makes her hard to ignore long after she has ceased to be the First Lady of her country.

O.C. Yeoh
9 July 2009 at 13:35
Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Buah Tarap: A chance encounter

You learn something new everyday. My friend Alina is very fond of repeating this. And I agree with her. Today I tasted the Buah Tarap (Tarap Fruit) which is said to be unique to Sabah/Borneo. My colleagues and I arrived in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah this afternoon; we are here for the RHB New Straits Times Spell-It-Right Challenge which will take place at the Suria Mall over the weekend. After checking into the Beverly Hotel we walked to a nearby eatery for a spot of tea. It was then that I chanced upon the Buah Tarap and began snapping away. My colleague, who had eaten the fruit in Bandung, Indonesia, was excited to see it. He bought one for us to try. The stall vendor split the fruit into two and we bit into its flesh. Everyone liked it but describing its flavour remains a challenge. The fruit, which looks like nangka (jackfruit) or chempedak,  has an unusual combination of tastes: it is sweet but not as sweet as the jackfruit nor as chunky. Words fail me. It feels so lig...
5 comments
Read more

Satisfy your curiosity

Did curiosity kill the cat? It appears that the Union of Concerned Scientists does not believe that to be true. Instead, it argues for "scientific curiosity" because that "is the key to solving our world's most crucial environmental, health and security problems -- such as global warming". The grouping of scientists accuses those with "a vested interest in denying global warming" of "trying to kill the public's curiosity and thus squelch the truth". "Scientists are curious for life," states the Union and it pleads the cause of supporting curiosity and urges us to start by being members of the grouping.  We should take a leaf from Union's book. "Curiosity killed the cat" is an idiom meaning to tell somebody not to ask questions or try to find out about things that do not concern them. That is appropriate for personal affairs but in all other matters we, like the children in our midst, should show c...
Post a Comment
Read more

Behind the wheel at 60

Learners performing routine tasks at a driving circuit in Ipoh Madam Susila arrives at a driving institute in Ipoh, Perak feeling nervous. This is her first time there. She is 47 years old and a recent widow. He husband passed away four months ago in his car during an outing with the family. He was driving through Ipoh town when he suddenly complained of pain in the throat area. He pulled over to one side of a quiet road to take a short rest but went limp soon after. Susila called for an ambulance immediately and medical personnel took her husband's body to the hospital. The grieving widow and her three sons were left to sort out the affairs of the deceased man. It hit Susila then -- "I don't know how to drive," she recoiled in horror. She discussed her concern with the boys and they agreed with her decision to enrol into a driving school. It must be said that Susila had wanted to take up driving as a young bride but her husband discouraged her, saying ...
Post a Comment
Read more