President Marcos on Friday visited the gravesite of his late father and namesake, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., at the “Libingan ng Mga Bayani” [Heroes’ Cemetery] on All Saints’ Day, a traditional holiday of remembrance known in Filipino as “Undas.”
The chief executive was met at the cemetery by a crowd of Marcos “loyalists” wearing bright red T-shirts—a sight he said brought back fond memories of his father’s era.
“Your love for my father means so much to us,” he said, noting the crowd’s continued admiration of his father’s legacy.
Mr. Marcos noted that being at the gravesite caused him to reminisce about his father, mentioning the sadness of remembrance mixed with the joy of good memories.
“When you think about it carefully, there’s an equivalent joy and happiness in recalling these times, and it brings a smile to your face,” he stated.
The President also said insights imparted by Ferdinand Senior take on more profound meaning now that he finds himself in the former’s shoes.
“Now that I’m in office, his words hold even more meaning,” the younger Marcos said.
He concluded with a call to action, saying that “rest in peace” is not enough.
“To let my father truly rest in peace, we must continue his work—enhancing the Philippines and loving the Filipino people,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Mr. Marcos appealed to his countrymen to include victims of recent typhoons in their prayers this Undas season, while also discussing efforts to strengthen the country’s resilience against extreme weather events.
In a vlog on Friday, the President acknowledged the heavy toll of the recent typhoons, which official figures say killed 150 individuals and caused billions in damages to infrastructure and agriculture.
He stressed that intensified preparedness is essential, especially as climate change worsens weather conditions.
“Some areas that have never flooded before are now submerged,” the President said.
“In just a short period, floodwaters rise rapidly due to extreme downpours,” he added.
The president referenced the recent Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, held in the Philippines, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation on disaster solutions.
As climate-related risks grow, he underscored the country’s need to bolster disaster risk reduction practices, with collaboration across public and private sectors.
“We will keep responding to where the need is greatest,” he added.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “PBBM visits father’s tomb, vows to continue his parent’s work.”
