Have just finished the Harana of the Choral Groups of SSS [Social Security System], GSIS [Government Social Insurance System], Customs and the Cursillistas. They sung the heart-tugging songs of old—“Minamahal Kita.”
This noon, the Ilocos and northern provinces presented a program of Ilocos Norte culture—lively and humorous too, what with a fashion show by the male mayors (and Cong. [Roque] Ablan [Jr.]) in female see-throughs and minis. A skit revealed the acting capabilities of Mayor Conrado Llaguno of Paoay as the old provinciano looking for the President played by Mayor Makilala of Currimao.
The cultural minorities of Nuevo Era, Dumalueg and Adams were represented by honest-to-goodness natives of the mountains with their superb leg musculature.
But as Imelda says, what a long, long birthday I am celebrating. On the 9th I attend the Cultural Center presentation of the Cagayanos. Then I may go to Ilocos Norte to spend my real birthday there.
The Holy Father will celebrate mass in Malacañang on his first day here.
OG August 31, 1970: President Marcos spent most of his working day, going over reports and other state papers. One of the important matters which engaged him was the problem of the implementation of the minimum wage for government workers, and during the day he finalized and issued a policy order which required all salary hikes in the five big government corporations to be frozen till the minimum wage for rank-and-file employes had been implemented.
The President directed Budget Commissioner Faustino Sy-Changco to find the means for the immediate implementation of the minimum wage and the five per cent increase under the WAPCO plan.
In the afternoon, the President was felicitated by a large group of Ilocos Norte folk, led by provincial officials, who staged a potpourri of songs, dances and skits, in honor of the President’s birthday, which still has to come on Sept. 11.
At about 9 p.m., the President was again regaled when a group of Malacañang employees serenaded him and the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos, also in connection with his birthday.
The President was still at work when the harana, came, and he broke off to greet the well wishers and invite them into the Palace. Earlier, the President issued the following statement on the retirement of Prime Minister Tungku Abdul Rahman: “I have read with regret that my good and respected friend, Tungku Abdul Rahman, is retiring as Prime Minister of Malaysia, a position which he had held for 13 years, with credit to himself and honor to his people. He is one of Asia’s great statesmen. Having led his country through the crucial years of its fight for freedom, and having laid the foundation of the new independent government, he has carved a permanent place for himself in his nation’s history. He will also be remembered by us for his advocacy and support of the; ASEAN, which, in its consistency has been effective in uniting our nations, in this area into a constructive regional group. I am glad’ to know that he will be succeeded by Deputy; Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak, a seasoned diplomat, whose statesman ship is acknowledged by his people and admired by all those who have watched his career through the difficult years of Malaysian rise to independence.”
And Imelda goes alone with Bongbong to London economy class. She may go to the United States after that and may be away up to the end of the month.
Exercised for the first time in days. Tummy much better.