PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (second from right) and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos (third from right) joined hundreds of supporters and loyalists on Monday at the ‘Salo-salo sa Palasyo’ event at the Malacañang Palace grounds in Manila to celebrate the 69th birthday of the President.
Photograph courtesy of PCO
New Delhi, India — First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos on Sunday played the role of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s steadfast partner, proving the familiar adage, “Behind every great man is a great woman.”
She greeted her “favorite person,” President Marcos, on his 69th birthday, describing him as her husband, partner, and the father of their sons.
“Through all the roles you carry and all the responsibilities that come with them, I’m happiest simply knowing you as my husband, my partner, and the father of our boys. I see how hard you work every single day, the long hours, the endless meetings, and the weight of responsibility you carry, often without complaint. Your dedication to your work and to our country is something I will always admire,” the First Lady wrote on her Facebook page.
Mrs. Marcos was with the President on his birthday but had little time to spend with him as Mr. Marcos was busy attending the 18th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Summit in his capacity as ASEAN chair for 2026.
“We’ve shared so many chapters together — the serious ones, the crazy ones, the unforgettable ones, and thankfully, plenty that still make us laugh. Happy birthday, Bong. I love you to the moon and back,” Mrs. Marcos said.
More family time
During the Kapihan with members of the media who covered the 18th BRICS Summit, the President, when asked by DAILY TRIBUNE, said he wished he had more time with the First Lady and their boys.
“I suppose for my family, simple lang. I wish I saw all of you more. And it’s not just my children; it includes the First Lady. Our schedules don’t match very well. We don’t see each other that much either. I wish I could spend more time with all of you, number one,” the President said.
And for the nation, he said: “I wish I’ll be able to get the beginnings of what we started in place, so that they continue. In many ways, it is restructuring the government. And I want to get the basics of that in place so that it will continue. That we will continue to construct the government, we will continue to make it better.”
For his birthday, the President ordered the gates of Malacañang opened for this year’s “Salo-Salo sa Palasyo,” an annual gathering of unity and thanksgiving to mark the day.
Straight from India, the President greeted his supporters at the Palace.
The salo-salo is a Filipino tradition of sharing a meal in goodwill and camaraderie with the community, aligned with the President’s commitment to transforming Malacañang into an accessible and welcoming space for every Filipino.
The President and the First Lady were joined by 3,500 supporters and loyalists, as well as vloggers.
They also welcomed 1,000 PWDs, senior citizens, and IRM friends, as well as 200 public school students on an educational field trip, along with 4,326 dedicated staff members in the Office of the President.
To include the entire nation in the festivities, satellite livestreaming was provided, simultaneously broadcasting in real time to over 20 provinces.
