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First lady regaled by RP’s Imelda
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Posted on Feb 11 2006
As a young girl growing up in a town in central Luzon, Philippines, Josie P. Fitial had always admired Imelda Marcos. To her, the name was synonymous with elegant beauty, sophistication, and glamour.
Coming from a humble background, Fitial never had any inkling that she would one day meet Marcos, the first lady of Philippine strongman Ferdinand Marcos, in person.
But it happened.
On Feb. 5 and 6, Fitial, now holding the title as the CNMI’s first lady, met the Philippine’s former first lady in a gathering at an upscale hotel in Makati City.
“We were invited to a birthday party. Mrs. Marcos was one of the main guests there. I was so happy to meet her! She still exudes that regal bearing. Still so beautiful,” shared Fitial in an interview during a gathering Friday night at the Governor’s official residence on Capitol Hill.
Fitial was with her husband, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, during the meeting with Marcos wherein the former First Lady had reportedly shared some thoughts with the CNMI governor.
After coming back from exile, Marcos had since served as congresswoman of her hometown province, Leyte.
The Marcoses fled the country during the 1986 Edsa revolt that brought an end to the late president’s dictatorial regime. The Marcoses ruled from 1965 to 1986.
Mrs. Fitial said that she enjoyed interacting with Mrs. Marcos, whom she described as “elegant” but “casual” in her ways.
“She’s very natural. She’s very relaxed. Perhaps she’s mastered the art of engaging people in conversations because of her long experience [in politics],” she said.
Mrs. Fitial said their lunch meeting lasted until about 4pm at the Shang Palace of the Makati Shangri-la Hotel.
Their discussions touched on various topics, from politics and governance to community projects and, of course, the CNMI.
She said the former First Lady showed great interest in the Commonwealth.
She said the governor invited Mrs. Marcos to visit the Commonwealth at her convenience.
The former first lady was known for her extravagant lifestyle and her fondness for anything “beautiful.”
