Wednesday
(My Birthday)
The cry of happiness of two of the poorest families in Cabasan, Masantol, Pampanga when they started to look into the envelopes I had left with them as a gift and I had left their house to cross the waters surrounding their shack—was one of the best birthday gifts I received today.
And the whispered comments among the rice planters at Apalit (l saw some people planting rice and landed by helicopter to participate, had taken off my shirt and shoes as well as rolled up my trousers to go into the knee-deep mud of the rice paddies):
“Is that not Marcos?”
“No, he looks too young, he must be a security. He looks husky and muscular. Marcos is slim.”
“But he has no gun (walang cargada).”
“Marcos is now 57. This man looks too young.”
And giving free reign to my impatience for the bureaucratic red tape by the planners and implementers of the big industrial projects—during the cabinet meeting which I caught up with at 11:30 AM from my Central Luzon sortie.[1]
But the best of all was the canned (slides and taped audio explaining the presentation) Philippine economy briefing prepared by my children. Voices were Bongbong and Irene. Imee masterminded the whole presentation.
I also received their cards which I attach.
Isidro Saceda has come to tell me we should be able to meet with Nur Misuari in Manila by the end of the month.
The rebel leaders have gone to Sabah apparently for a conference.
And the Indonesians have sent a man to Sabah apparently to contact the rebels have told Amb. [Modesto] Farolan I prefer to deal with the rebels directly without the intervention of anyone.
I received his called report which I attach.
[1] It is unknown where this and succeeding paragraphs come from because the second page at least is missing.