Marcos recalls lessons on leadership on father’s 109th birthday

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leads the wreath-laying ceremony at the Marcos Monument in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, on Sept. 11, 2026, marking the 109th birth anniversary of his late father, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. (screen grab from RTVM) SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur — “Spending time with him – (and) I never knew it – but he was already teaching me. He was already training me,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said as he recalled his late father, former President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Sr. The President marked his father’s 109th birthday in Ilocos Norte’s Batac City, where the latter was raised. Marcos said good leadership requires sacrifice and doing what is right even when it is difficult, as he led the celebration at the Bannawag Shrine in Batac. The province of Ilocos Norte observed Friday as a special nonworking day to mark the memorial for the late president Article continues after this advertisement READ: Sept. 11 a holiday in Ilocos Norte for Marcos Sr.’s birth anniversary He said his father’s lessons were not about becoming an important public figure or reaching the heights of political leadership. Rather, he said, his father taught him values that he would carry into public service. “Nothing worthwhile is achieved without sacrifice,” Marcos Jr. recalled his father telling him. “Do not take whatever is the easy way out. Do what is right, no matter how difficult it may be,” the President said as he recounted his father’s words, adding, “The most important lesson is about your country and your countrymen. “ Article continues after this advertisement The President led a wreath-laying ceremony at the Marcos Monument following a Thanksgiving Mass at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Batac, attended by the First Family. The President paid tribute to his father’s years in public service and reflected on the values and principles that he said continue to shape his commitment to serving Filipinos. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Marcos honors late father: He left a legacy of service, sacrifice The commemoration also included a “Natnateng” (Vegetables) Cook-off at the Imelda Cultural Center, featuring vegetable dishes from the province and celebrating Ilocos Norte’s agricultural traditions. The event came two days before Marcos Jr.’s 69th birthday on Sept. 13./coa Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. He was also set to be serenaded with “Padapadakam,” a traditional Ilocano birthday song, and receive flowers from members of his family and local officials. Kenneth Tabin/Contributor/coa