I'm
Me!
People Asia March 2002
How
she has grown, from the little girl who used to tag along with her father
in the hallowed halls of Malacañang to the fully-grown (indubitably,
well-endowed) woman that she has now become. JOEL P. SALUD gets up close
and personal with Imee Marcos.
It's not
everyday that one gets to see a Marcos up close (especially one in her
body hugging blouse and short, revealing her skirt), but Imee's "Baywatch
babe" figure is enough to whet any writer's penchant for all things
resplendent, rousing, and poetic. Besides, unlike the Presidential Place
where little girl Imee was raised, the Imee Marcos of today is surprisingly
mortal, quite modest and very unpretentious. That is, barring her notable
wit, dazzling physique, and the history behind the name.
But then again, to be a Marcos in this country is to always attract attention
- and quite often, even vagarious scrutiny - regardless of whether one
is ravishing or not. But more than anything else, to be a Marcos is to
invite, quite unknowingly at times, envy. With the brain, body and brass
that Imee is well aware (and amply warned) of her "predicament".
This is the downside, she says, to being a Marcos.
"I suppose there's a Greek element to all this," she relates in a more serious tone. "Your strength is your weakness, and this is always very much the case. My mother used to tell me never to underestimate the power of envy. It was only after 1986 that my mother came to terms with the fact that many people were envious of her and her former status as first lady, to the point that they were all willing to pull her down. She finally realized that, and people popularly refer to this practice as crab mentality…"
Imee
recalls that she and siblings Bongbong and Irene were raised by former
President Ferdinand Marcos with the explicit decree to be the best in
everything they did. Her accomplishments since the early days of the Marcos
administration have further entrenched her popularity in the province
where she now serves as congresswoman. But to a certain extent, the pursuit
of excellence has become, to the Marcoses, a scourage that they have to
contend with for the rest of their lives. It's understandable if envy
would follow then wherever they go.
However, she has always kept her movements in perspective. With the 2004 elections coming up the bend, the last thing on her mind right now is to create the impression that she is gunning for the Palace throne (though she hints at another who's aiming for the post).
"To some degree, this is how we were all raised - to be the best," Imee explains. "Masama pala 'yun! It's a bit tricky, really. On one hand, people say we have everything. But on the other, well…you have to deal your cards well. In truth, despite what people say (that) we are blessed with, we carry a tremendous amount of baggage. On occasion, my brother and I, particularly because we are in public office, feel unable sometimes to bear this kind of burden."
The congresswoman from the north maintains that during very weak moments, or when the heat becomes unbearable, the siblings feel a twinge of resentment. Compelled to answer for things that transpired when she was only five years old, Imee spells out plainly her slight diffidence with having a big family name: "It's (the Marcos name) useful for getting into office. On the other hand, you inherit not simply a legacy of good and bad. The people's expectations are tremendous when you're a Marcos. But we're not the only big family name in the country. There are so many and to some extent, we all have the same story."
Apparently,
after serving for several years as a congresswoman, Rep. Imee Marcos has
grown more mature, but in such a graceful manner that seasoned photographer
Jun de Leon remarked that Imee's true age is best seen in her brain. True,
as wisdom and wit in matters close to her heart. (It's encouraging to
know that the seasons in Congress have not dulled her sense and sensibilities.)
But then you wonder, is being the daughter of the former President of the Republic a bane when it comes to matters of the heart?
"To a great degree, that's true," she smiles, but answers rather cautiously. "The Marcoses are looked upon as unapproachable, particularly in Northern Luzon. The people of Ilocos have very high regard for my father. We are then compelled to go out to the people instead, because they are fearful of coming too close." Well, that's as close as any writer could get to a Marcos.
It was Ferdinand
Marcos who once said, "But there is no perfection on this planet."
Of course, he said this at a time when his daughter was still very young.
Although "perfection" has its downside, downsides can have their
perfect lessons. Imee apparently has come to terms with the lessons life
has given. By her serving her constituents in Ilocos Norte, many believe
it's only a matter of time before Imee gives a new meaning to the Marcos
name.