[Corruption in the Philippines] Imelda Marcos The Rise and Fall of One of the Worlds Most Powerful Women #4/212

It was said that Imelda, mindful of tradition and family ties, chose him for the occasion. He was the former rector of the Divine Word
University in Leyte, where Imelda had been a student and where her father was once the dean of law. The priest had been summoned from faraway Bonn for this auspicious morning. But a more
significant historical touch was the choice of music to be played. This, too, Imelda had specially requested. It was “Plegaria” (“A Plea”), a song composed by Norberto
Romualdez, her paternal uncle and the first Romualdez to achieve national fame. Though its music reached out to all, only Imelda and some members of the Romualdez clan understood its meaning.

After the mass Marcos went over his inaugural speech with a press aide while Imelda returned to her dressing room for a final touch-up. There was still no view for the public outside.

It was ten-fifteen, five hours after the first comers had perched on the trees beyond the walls, when Imelda and the three Marcos children, followed by the President-elect, emerged from the iron grille gates. The bodyguards skirmished with the eager crowds as they pushed to get a better view. Imelda paused and waved before she entered the car.

There have been many descriptions of Imelda from both those who have seen her and those who have not. There are also those who described her beauty before and after she became Mrs. Marcos. Their descriptions have been printed in countless magazines and newspapers both in the Philippines and abroad . . . the flawless complexion, long jet-black hair, the finely chiseled features that combined the best of her mixed ancestry, and a queenly bearing. These, coming from the very best sources, fell short of capturing Imelda’s appearance that day in 1965 when she became First Lady of the Land. Imelda was radiantly and stunningly beautiful that morning.

For the inaugural rites she wore a plain sheath of embroidered piña, a silky Philippine fabric, and a fine veil over her head that she lifted when she faced the cheering crowd. A deceptively simple but expensive string of pearls framed her delicate face, which was barely touched by makeup. The glow of triumph shone through.

At the Luneta grandstand dignitaries and representatives from thirty-five countries, government officials, and Manila’s elite stood in attendance as the Marcoses made their way to their respective seats.