President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. with First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos graces the “Art X Design: A Special Reception of the 50 Years of Philippines Design and Beyond” exhibition at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila on Friday, February 23, 2024. (Photo by KJ ROSALES / PPA POOL)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday grew nostalgic visiting the National Museum for its history as the session hall for Congress.
His father, the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr., was a senator who later became Senate president before his assumption into the presidency and consequent declaration of martial law.
“I spent many hours in this place waiting for my father to finish his work while he was senator and then Senate president. I sat there and watched all of these that were happening. And it’s so nice to be back here,” said Marcos in his speech at the 50th anniversary of the Design Center of the Philippines.
“It holds so many great memories for me because these were some of the best times I spent with my father. And maybe without even knowing it, I learned a great deal from having experienced the comings and goings of the upper House and the legislature,” he added.
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Marcos reminisced about his parents when he said that his mother, Imelda Marcos, wanted a future where design would guide the path of the country.
“In 1973, her vision came to fruition with the establishment of the Design Center, laying the groundwork for Filipino creativity to dazzle the global stage,” Marcos said.
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The Design Center of the Philippines is an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry. It aims to improve the quality of the branding of Filipino products.