For over two decades, the Philippines had not seen an active First Lady as former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had a First Gentleman, former President Benigno S. Aquino III began and ended his term as a bachelor, and former President Rodrigo Duterte, despite having a common law wife, chose not to use the title and split its functions with the then President’s daughter now Vice President Sara Duterte.

Since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed the presidency in 2022, First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos stands out as a pivotal figure.

While the First Lady’s function is purely ceremonial, given that she is not an elected official and cannot influence governance, the power of the President reflects on the First Lady who handles formal and state functions for her spouse.

Beyond serving as a hostess at Malacañang Palace, Mrs. Marcos has become a standout figure in her own right, advancing advocacies such as healthcare, social programs and education.

This was obvious enough, being married to a career politician. The First Lady has balanced her personal and professional life, her causes, and her duties as the President’s spouse.

Lawyer offers rudder

We have seen Mrs. Marcos as a lawyer, a champion of social programs, a mother, and a First Lady. Still, her actual test is yet to come, with the Philippines hosting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits and Related Summits in 2026.

The conflict in Myanmar forced the regional bloc to exclude it from hosting the annual meeting. Manila went ahead and assumed the hosting of the 48th and 49th ASEAN Summits, as it follows the alphabetical order.

For more than a year now, the Philippines has been preparing for the upcoming gathering.

On the footsteps of the Marcos Sr. legacy in infrastructure, the Marcos Jr. administration had almost nothing to worry about with the venues and locations to be used in the ASEAN summits.

However, with modernity, inclusivity, and sustainability in mind, some changes were needed, and this is where the First Lady comes in.

With a vision of grandeur and elegance, Mrs. Marcos agreed to use the nation’s gems as venues for the upcoming summit.

The heart of the gathering will be Manila, but several places across the country, such as Cebu, Boracay, Bohol, and Pampanga, will also serve as sites.

Last year, intense renovations were made to the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) and the Coconut Palace, both situated at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex.

These iconic structures represent Filipino ingenuity and showcase its artistic traits, inspired by the archipelago.

The PICC and its brutalist design stand as a testament to the Filipino spirit, standing up loudly and proudly. Its interior, filled with woodwork, architecture, and artworks by talented National Artists, shows the world that the Philippines is ready to welcome guests for both business and pleasure.

Beyond the CCP complex, a few kilometers away is the scenic Pasig River, which has become an instant tourist spot where locals and foreigners can enjoy a walk along the esplanade.