ILOCOS NORTE CELEBRATES 107TH BIRTHDAY OF “APO MACKOY”

September 13, 2024 Provincial

LAOAG CITY

Ilocos Norte is celebrating month-long the 107th birthday of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. Dearly loved by Ilocanos as “Apo Mackoy”, the former President and father of his namesake, now President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Senator Imee R. Marcos and grandfather of Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew M. Manotoc (Sen. Marcos’ son) and Ilocos Norte first district lawmaker Zandro Marcos (Marcos Jr.’s son), turns 107 on Wednesday. Marcos Sr. was born on Sept. 11, 1917, in Sarrat town and became the 10th president of the Philippines.

He died on exile in Hawaii on Sept. 28, 1989. Xavier Ruiz, OIC supervising tourism officer of Ilocos Norte, outlined the activities for the former President dubbed “Marcos Fiesta” with a “Natnateng (vegetable) cook-off and opening of the Marcos Mansion in Batac City on the exact day of his birthday. Earlier on, a fire tree planting was conducted on September 5 at the Sirib Mile in Laoag City; Marcos Fiesta job fair on September 7; and Marcos Fiesta literary and arts competition on Monday (Sept. 9).

A concert dubbed “I Love Ilocos Norte” featuring half a dozen Filipino music artists led by concert queen Pops Fernandez and concert king Martin Nievera happens Tuesday night, instead of September 13 as earlier announced. In partnership with the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), the Ilocos Norte provincial government has been conducting a series of FEM lectures and will launch a rice paddy art featuring Sen. Marcos. “We have activities in Sarrat and Batac City, the usual thanksgiving masses and wreath-laying ceremonies.

As well as the event that highlights President Marcos Sr. ‘s dish – Cestraeus plicatilis, locally known as “ludong” or “banak”, a river mullet — together with our LGUs (local government units), and free dialysis courtesy of the Office of Senator Imee Marcos,” Ruiz said. Pres. Marcos Jr.’s attendance on the activities, especially on Wednesday, has been confirmed by Ilocos Norte Communications and Media Office chief Gervy Gumarit. But local sources in Ilocos Norte said, Marcos Jr. and the First Family already arrived in the province Tuesday afternoon in time for the “I Love Ilocos Norte” concert Tuesday night. “Marcos Fiesta” had always been spectacle province-wide in Ilocos Norte during Marcos Sr.’s more than two-decade rule.

Artemio A. Dumlao/ABN