We have just finished the dinner for close friends and members of the family—only about 100. I prepared a program where Mike Velarde invited Ruby Jose Salazar and [Constantino] Bernaldez, the stars of the zarzuela “Walang Sugat” and Luis Tabuena invited Pilita Corrales to sing.
Happy evening. After the crowded and warm luncheon at the Heroes Hall that followed the mass at the Ceremonial Hall said by Father Donelan. He gave a sermon around the “Grooks” of Piet Hein, A Dane architect, sculpture and writer who wrote “Living is the doing of a thing now or never. Which is yours?”
Imelda is happy about the celebration as she was about yesterday trip to Bulacan. And about the letter I wrote her. Copy of it I attach. She thinks it is the best I ever wrote.
The children called her, Imee from Mallorca, Spain, Bongbong and Irene from their schools—all collect.
Official Gazette for July 2, 1972: THE PRESIDENT helped the First Lady in receiving well-wishers who started arriving at Malacañang as early as 9 a.m. to greet her on her birthday.
Among the first to greet the First Lady were Mrs. Jose Edralin Marcos, mother of the President; Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion, Speaker Cornelio T. Villareal, Mrs. Leonila D. Garcia, widow of the late President Garcia; Mrs. Gil. J. Puyat, wife of the Senate President; senators, representatives, justices of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, members of the Cabinet and their ladies.
A Mass was said at the Malacañang Ceremonial Hall for the occasion.
The First Couple then had lunch with the guests, and before the simple party broke up at 2 p.m. there was a mass singing of “Happy Birthday” led by the President.
The President attended to desk work later in the afternoon and early evening.