Former First Lady Imelda Marcos. (File photo by TED ALJIBE / Agence France-Presse)
MANILA, Philippines — Former first lady Imelda Marcos, known for hosting lavish parties during the regime of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was treated to a night of singing, dancing, and socializing in Malacañang on Saturday night, on the eve of her 94th birthday.
Singer Dulce, who performed at the celebration, shared photos and videos of the party held at the Kalayaan Hall, which was attended by President Marcos and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
A photo of the program, also posted by Dulce, showed a video titled “Imelda Through The Years” playing during the event while the Bayanihan Dance Company, the national folk-dance company of the Philippines, performed during the celebration.
On Sunday, the President greeted her mother as the former first lady celebrated “94 incredible years!”
“Happy birthday, mom! Wishing you more years filled with joy, good health and abundant blessings,” Mr. Marcos said.
The President’s wife, Liza, also posted on Facebook a photo of Imelda with the first family and the rest of the Marcos clan celebrating her birthday in Malacañang.
“Happy 94th birthday, Mama Meldy!” the first lady wrote in the caption of a photo that showed the President, his sister Irene and Imelda’s grandsons Michael Manotoc, Joseph Simon and William Vincent Marcos.
Aimee Marcos, the adopted daughter of Marcos Sr. and Imelda, was also in the photo.
Sen. Imee Marcos, however, was not in the family photo posted by Liza.
Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco also posted on Facebook a photo of him and his wife with Imelda during her birthday celebration.
Tiangco wished the Marcos matriarch good health and happiness, saying “may you continue to be blessed and be a blessing to our countrymen.”
It was not immediately known whether Imelda held another party on her actual birthday on Sunday but her daughter, Imee, told reporters on Saturday in Davao City that there would be a “private” celebration for the former first lady, with an “asalto” (birthday surprise) in Malacañang on Saturday.
The Palace has not responded to a request for comment on how the Marcoses celebrated Imelda’s birthday.
During Imelda’s birthday last year, the Marcoses and their friends only had a “very simple merienda (snacks),” according to Imee, following criticism that the Marcoses were again holding extravagant parties as they used to during their father’s tenure.