Written 11:30 PM
May 2nd
Labor Day celebration at Maharlika at 10:00 AM. Announced labor policy.
Before this worked on the urgent papers and my letter to Imelda on our anniversary.
Mass at 12:00 AM by Mons. Luis Gonzaga assisted by Father Bernard.
Lunch at about 1:00 PM. The cabinet offered some songs which Sec. [Carlos] Romulo referred to as “murder” and justified their immediate dismissal or “execution” (the violinist story) except himself. And a “compulsory encore.”
Then a skit by the Generals: Gen. Fred [Alfredo] Montoya the Metrocom [Metropolitan Command] Chief was a KM [Kabataang Makabayan] waving a red flag and shouting “Ibagsak ang Metrocom.” It was a presentation of the old and new society—government, the farmer, the dynamiter-fisherman, the extortionist soldier. Gen. [Ataulfo] Alvarez, our presidential pilot was a lady vamp. So was Gen. [Cicero] Campos.
But Irene left at 5:00 PM by KLM [Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij – Royal Dutch Airlines]. And we are all sadder than ever.
No Official Gazette entry for this day.
MALACAÑAN PALACE
MANILA
May 1, 1973
To my beloved Imelda,
On our 19th year of wedded life, we are long pas ceremonial gifts and words.
For we have plumbed the depths of joy and sorrow.
Even you Imelda, with the delicate cameo-like beauty, have felt the pain of tears—the threat of death ever close.
So to us things and creatures have no meaning except as symbols.
Therefore I shall offer no gift of worldly price—no gold, no gems,
But my whole life’s work I tenderly hold to lay lovingly at your feet, with adoration, The New Society—the New Philippines.
All my dreams, a bright and brave new world.
Forever I shall love you,
Ferdinand
This is a letter that Ferdinand Marcos sent to Imelda on their 19th wedding anniversary. A rough draft of the letter is included in the PCGG set for April 1973.