Celebrated my birthday today so that Imelda and Bongbong can leave for London on the 3rd at 8:45 AM by PAL [Philippine Air Lines] through Rome where they see the Holy Father on the 5th at Castel Gandolfo which is about 32 kilometers from Rome.
Mass was celebrated by Rufino Cardinal Santos at about 11:30 AM then lunch at Maharlika Hall where a program starting out with the Tabolis and Obo’s danced a gratitude dance led by the son of Datu Ma Falen for whom I had ordered the dropping of all criminal cases so that these tribes could live in peace in their villages and farms in Mindanao. Oscar Obligacion was emcee. “Do not be too sad,” he quipped. “When the First Lady is away, I will take care of you”—Then he added, “What has she got that I haven’t got.” A little corny but otherwise enjoyable.
The program ended at about 3:00 PM with the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] generals led by Gen. [Manuel] Yan singing a medley of loyalty songs birthday greetings as well as a rondalla by the AFP ladies.
There is a flood in front of the Palace and Manila is flooded because of the continuous rain and high tide but Maharlika Hall was jam-packed to overflowing.
So I am rich in friends for which I am thankful to the Lord.
There was a two-hour and a half traffic jam that kept many people away until 1:00 PM but the people kept pouring in anyway.
Official Gazette for September 1, 1970: President Marcos mobilized all government agencies involved in, relief operations for the extension of; relief; aid to victims of floods caused by the heavy downpour the whole night and throughout the day.
Ordered to undertake emergency relief operations were the Department of Social Welfare, the National Civil Defense; Administration, the Philippine National Red Cross, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Department of Public Works and Communications, and the Department of Health.
Flooded areas were reported in España Extension, Caloocan City, Pasay City and San Juan, among others.
In another directive, the President ordered Budget Commissioner Faustino Sy-changco to release the amount needed to implement the increase in pay of the AFP enlisted men.
The hiked salaries for the Filipino soldiers, amounting to ₱54.5 million, was authorized under Republic Act No. 6104. The amount would be released monthly or gradually, effective as of last July.
Earlier in the day, at 11 a.m., Mass was held at Malacañang in observance of the birth anniversary of the President which falls on September 11, with Rufino Cardinal Santos officiating. At mass with the First Family were Mrs. Josef a Edralin Marcos, mother of the President, members of the Cabinet, senators and representatives, justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, officers of the AFP, representatives from business and civic organizations and relatives of the President.
Manila is one meter to four meters below the high tide level but Mayor [Antonio] Villegas does not believe this. He says there were no floods before because the esteros were kept clean. But the pictures of Manila taken in 1902 show floods of equal depth.
The program and schedule of Imelda has been finalized. Although there is danger of picketing in New York, she may have to go there.
And we have agreed to the Pope not staying in the Palace but in saying a mass here, reception and short speeches by both of us. Then he passes by the Cultural Center for 15 minutes of folklorico.
But we still have occasion to be with him when he is escorted in at 5:00 PM and after the mass at Suite I.
I exercised this morning including a short jog and slept for three hours in the afternoon (3-6) then caught up on my reading and state papers while the rain poured outside and the Pasig is one foot deep at the front stairs, Heroes Hall is almost completely flooded and the Presidential Museum is threatened.