
My landscaper is from the Philippines. His name is Nolie. I am very pleased with his diligent yard work. He recently vacationed in the Philippines for 3 weeks with his wife and 10-year-old son. They were thrilled to be back there.
Nolie told me that he voted in the recent Filipino presidential election and is overjoyed that Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. won by a landslide, replacing Duterte as President. Although Marcos is the son of a ruthless dictator (Ferdinand Marcos, Sr.), Nolie likes him, because Marcos and Nolie both were born in the same province (Ilocos Norte).
Marcos, Sr. was overthrown by a popular revolt in 1984 after 20 years in power. He and his wife fled to Hawaii, where he died in 1989 at age 72.
Imelda Marcos returned to the Philippines to bury her husband there. She was tried and convicted of corruption during her husband’s regime and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. However, she has not served any time behind bars. Obviously, the Marcos family still has enormous charisma and power in the Philippines.
We shall see if Marcos, Jr. will step down when his term in office is over. Presidents are allowed only a single 6-year term and cannot be reelected. Will there be a true democracy, or will there be a dictatorship again?
President Biden called Marcos, Jr. to congratulate him on his victory. Biden realizes how strategically important the Philippines is to us.
We shall see what the future holds.
This is Manila, capital of the Philippines:

This is Filipino folk art:


This is Filipino folk dance:

This is Pancit, a popular Filipino noodle dish, which I like very much:

There are 4 million Filipino Americans in the USA, and 367,000 of them live in Hawaii. They constitute 25% of Hawaii’s population.
The Filipinos I know are all very pleasant, friendly, and kind people. My doctor at Straub Clinic is Filipino and board certified.
I have never been to the Philippines, but I think it’s an interesting culture with an interesting history.
P.S. The 2021 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to a Filipino journalist, Maria Ressa, who championed freedom of expression in the Philippines. She was the first Filipino to be awarded that prize.