10:10 PM, May 3rd 7
I write this on the 3rd as we were busy up to 1:30 AM last night with Meldy and after that I fell asleep. Woke up at 5:30 but went back to bed till 8:00 when Imelda and I talked in bed about all the things she and I had been through together since we were married in 1954 when I was but a congressman. We agreed we had been well blessed by God. She was concerned about Bongbong going to England and how we would miss him. When I laughingly asked her what she would do if he brought home a child with an English mother, she said seriously and intensely—“keep the child but not the mother.” She thought that we would then have a child to play with. I jokingly asked why she felt that way about her son but not about her husband, she said, I love you so much I would be willing to allow you to have a child by another woman if you wanted it (another child) so much, but I have to be there and you must do so not because of love for the woman. Of course, we both laughed the thought off with unanimous assurances of love.
PAF [Philippine Air Force] day at 9:00 AM May 2nd. Was late 20 minutes, got out as the Blue Diamonds demonstrated their precision playing [flying] at 11:00 AM.
Official Gazette for May 2, 1970: President Marcos affirmed the ability of the “moral and physical strength of freedom” to prevail over those who may seek to destroy democracy. In a speech at the ceremonies celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force, held at Nichols Air Base, the President said that the Republic “represents a society of free men deriving their strength and faith from God and freedom,” and knowledge of this gives the government the confidence of allowing the fullest freedom for all, including those who subscribe to “unpopular ideas.”
The PAF, he said, in helping put down disorder expressed its loyalty “to our traditions of freedom and democracy” without resorting to repression. Stating that “we believe in social justice,” and seek to narrow the gap between the rich and poor through orderly change and democratic processes, he stressed that this needed change will be achieved through democratic action.
He reiterated that the government will not tolerate violence and destruction as a means of bringing about social change. Reason must prevail, he added. (Text of President’s speech in OG.)
After attending the ceremonies marking the PAF’s 35th anniversary. the President and the First Lady, Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos, sailed for Palawan on the first leg of a tour of southern Philippines.
In another speech read by Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile at the closing session of the Lions State Convention in Naga City, the President urged all citizens to “build up and not destroy,” in keeping with the code of ethics of Lionism, saying that “our nation is worth preserving, our democratic institutions are worth nurturing, and our economic foundations worth strengthening”.
The Filipino citizen more than ever should always bear in mind his obligations to the nation and community, to which he should give his unswerving loyalty in word, act and deed, he said, both strictures culled from the Lions’ code of ethics. “The spirit of creation and fidelity to the community that is in the Lions Code of Ethics should be imbibed by all our citizens,” the President said, pointing out that “this spirit is coupled by a commitment to compassion, as when member Lions are enjoined to aid (his) fellowmen by giving (his) sympathy to those in distress, . . . aid to the weak, and . . . substance to the needy.’ And in the pursuit of his vocation for service to the community, the Lion is expected to exercise those qualities of fairness, self-respect, friendship, and generosity that we wish are exercised by all of the more fortunate and successful Filipinos” (Full text of the President’s speech in OG.)
Went to say goodbye to those leaving for abroad. Had a light lunch, assurances of mutual trust and then arrived at Pier 15 at 2:05 PM but had to wait for the jewelry of Meldy left behind at the palace by Lucy. Finally cast off the pier at 2:30 PM. Slept at 3:00-5:00 PM, practiced golf at 6:00-7:00, exercised up to 7:30, massage from 8:00-9:30 (actually Bongbong and I were talking about the guns he brought along and the hunting in Sibutu). Dinner at 10:45 PM.