President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., on Thursday, honored the late former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. during the celebration in Batac City of the former leader’s 108th birth anniversary.

Speaking after the wreath-laying rites at the Daytoy ti Bannawag Monument, President Marcos highlighted his father’s love of country and dedication to service.

“Whenever we come and commemorate the life of service of Ferdinand Marcos, not only when he was President, but through his entire life, what we always can see and what is always spoken of is the great legacy that he has left us,” the President said.

“It is a legacy of service. It is a legacy of sacrifice. It is a legacy wherein he made it very clear to us that if you are going to be a good Ilocano, if you are going to be a good Filipino, then you must be willing to sacrifice everything, including your life for the Filipino, for the Philippines,” the President emphasized.

President Marcos urged Filipinos to put into practice the examples and lessons set by his father in providing good service to the people and always siding with the national interest.

“In everything that we do, we must be motivated by a true commitment to service; it must be driven by a true love of every single Filipino and a love for the Republic of the Philippines,” the President said.

Marcos Sr. was born in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, on September 11, 1917.

A lawyer by profession, Marcos Sr. was elected as a member of the House of Representatives for three terms from 1949 to 1959 and of the Senate from 1959 to 1965, serving as Senate president from 1963 to 1965.

He served as the 10th President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986.

The 108th birth anniversary celebration of the late President began with President Marcos and the First Family attending a Thanksgiving Mass at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Batac City, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Daytoy ti Bannawag Monument.

After the wreath-laying program, the President led the distribution of medical equipment for Ilocos Norte municipalities at the Imelda Cultural Center.

After that, President Marcos joined the participants of the “Natnateng Cook-Off Showdown,” a culinary event that showcases various signature vegetable dishes in Ilocos Norte as part of the Marcos Day Celebration. Presidential News Desk