IA#7: Reaction to the Readings about Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos

How did Imelda and Marcos used Art?

The Marcoses’ used art almost in everything that they do. For example, Ferdinand Marcos in his campaign strategy, his wife Imelda serenades the masses to create a connection between them. This is a very effective strategy for the lyrics of the song touched the hearts of the people (“Because of you I would like to live, because of you, until I die”). It created an illusion of a very personal relationship with the Filipinos creating an image of him as someone who can be trusted, loyal, someone who will support the Filipinos and someone who would love them and sacrifice himself for them.

This was like their marketing strategy which is very effective. Marcos as the head of the state and Imelda as the one who makes the Aesthetics. When CCP, Phil HS for the Arts, and the National Museum were established or recognized by the Marcoses’, it created opportunities for national representation and self-congratulatory displays of Philippines progress at home and in abroad. However, many believed that here, art was used as an instrument for political propaganda to glorify the Marcos government.

In my opinion, I cannot say that what the Marcoses’ did in the Philippines are absolutely wrong. Art was used as an ornament to power. The ends are somehow good, but the means — or the ways are not. Art was used to create an image or to project something that you really are not. But somehow I believe that this projection brought hope to the Filipinos — the term, “Kaya pala natin.” What I love about Marcos is his level of thinking, he was a visionary however it was for his self-glorification. I hope that the next leaders of this nation would adapt to that kind of thinking (not the bad ideas / selfish desires of Marcoses’). That they would think smart and would have a vision for the country (not for themselves).