How Imelda Stopped a Hurricane in 1974

So how does one stop an approaching hurricane?

Ask Imelda Marcos…..

Bongbong Marcos’ bid for the second highest position in our country has spawned Marcosian sentiments all over social media. Some were meant to criticize, while some were meant to glorify.

Either way, this has caused many Filipinos of the newer generations to become curious about the Marcos family and the various controversies attached to the name.

And this blogger too, was bitten by the bug which has led me to reading numerous articles about Ferdinand, his wife Imelda, and their children. Now, I would like to share with you an interesting find (in my own words, not copy-paste).

The year was 1974 and the Philippines was the host country of the Miss Universe pageant. As preparation for this huge international event, Imelda prepared a venue for it – the 10,000-seat Folk Arts Theater, constructed in just seventy seven days which defied all time constraints.

It was Cindy Adams, an American gossip columnist and writer who eventually became friends with Imelda, who broached the idea that the annual beauty event be held in the country of the reigning Miss Universe that time – Margie Moran of the Philippines.

It was noted, however, that the country lacked the facility for staging such huge event.

But Imelda said: “I will create one.”

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Fast forward to July of 1974……..

Unfortunately, a hurricane (or typhoon) was threatening the skies of Metro Manila a day before the pageant, which could jeopardize the event and its live coverage in different countries.

As a consequence, New York was alarmed and toyed with the idea of cancelling its live coverage.

So here comes the First Lady to the rescue. Not wanting anything to ruin the event which will highlight her beloved country, Imelda calmly assured everyone:

“I will stop the hurricane.”

This was then seconded by her husband-President:

“My wife will help God a little.”

Pulling out all the stops, the government deployed Philippine air force planes round-the-clock, to seed the clouds with silver iodide (or simply dry ice) that resulted to clear skies with a radius of 50 miles, which spared the Folk Arts Theater from the wrath of the hurricane.

Furthermore, the fatal strong winds eroded from 200 kph to 50 kph, and the weather disturbance moved 15 degrees up north.

And so the 23^rd Miss Universe pageant was successfully held in Manila (the first time to be held in Asia), hosted by Bob Barker and Helen O’Connell, and broadcasted by CBS and Radio Philippines Network early in the morning of July 21 (evening of July 20 in the US) with Amparo Muñoz of Spain earning the sash and crown.

And it all happened despite the looming hurricane, with Imelda moving heaven and earth to push it to the farthest sky.