The Steel Butterfly vs. the Blue Eagle: In Defense of Mrs. Marcos

THE STORY

Last July 5, former First Lady and now Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos was invited by Ateneo school officials to grace the 40^th founding anniversary of the Ateneo Scholarship Foundation (ASF), of which Madam Imelda was its principal donor in 1974.

After the event, a faculty of the Ateneo expressed dismay over the presence of Mrs. Marcos in the event. Obviously, the reason for this was Mrs. Marcos’ affinity with the imposition of Martial Law in 1972, being the wife of its author, former strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

A few days later, Ateneo President Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin apologized publicly after Mrs. Marcos' presence in the event was taken negatively by people. He lamented that Ateneo up to this day does not forget the ills that arose from the Martial Law period, wherein one of the human casualties was Edgar Jopson, an Atenean student activist.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH

My reaction to this ruckus can be summarized into one single and uncomplicated question: WHY DID ATENEO INVITE MRS. MARCOS?

It is quite humiliating for anybody to be invited to an event, whose presence will later on be regretted for whatever reason by those who extended the invitation. In the first place, Imelda did not ask to be invited, she was just simply more than gracious in attending the event as per the invitation.

If I were in Fr. Villarin’s shoes, I will put in plain words the reason for Imelda’s presence, in order to quash the nerves of critics and self-proclaimed historians: Mrs. Marcos was the initial benefactor of the foundation, period.

That’s it. No more, no less. And no need for a lengthy apology as if a crime against humanity has been committed.

For the sake of those who are still living under an ancient rock, Imelda organized a fund raising activity in 1974 that featured world renowned pianist Van Cliburn. The proceeds were donated to the ASF, and were used by the foundation as its seed fund.

I sincerely believe that Ateneo was just giving the credit where credit is due. It just so happened that ASF’s first benefactor was the flamboyant wife of President Marcos. The act of showing gratitude, however, must not be intrigued politically, for it is a virtue which should not be laced with any political color.

The Ateneo community need not dive into an abyss of paranoia, that Imelda being invited is a sign that the institution is forgoing its anti-Marcos sentiments. The Filipino public is not that shallow-minded to think that way.

Fr. Villarin’s apology was an overkill in my estimate, as if the school committed the greatest injustice to our land by inviting the 85 year-old Imelda. As they say, less talk, less mistakes.

The least that Ateneo could have done was to stand by their decision of inviting Mrs. Marcos, instead of being remorseful of the whole thing which they themselves have precipitated in the first place.

So ungentlemanly.

Or is Ateneo in anticipation of a presidential scrubbing from Malacañang since they invited a foe of the family of our Ateneo-bred Chief Executive, hence the lengthy apology?

Just asking.

Imelda Marcos with Van Cliburn (far left)

Imelda Marcos with Van Cliburn (left)