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Reportage on the Marcoses
“The courtship,” says Imelda, “lasted from April 6 to 17, and we were married in Church on the first of May; so, the period between our civil and our church wedding was longer than the period of courtship.”
Ferdinand Marcos, as even his courtship shows, lives at a pace infinitely more frenetic than is the style in what his American biographer calls the “lazy” and “slothful” South, though what’s Southern languor to outsiders is Southern grace to the South itself. Trained to that other gentler rhythm (expressed even in the honeyed accents of her folk), Marcos’s wife was bound to stumble before she could fall into step with him, especially since life with Marcos, as a relative says, is “a crisis every five minutes.”
Says his wife: “Being married to Ferdinand is a day-to-day challenge for me.”
Ferdinand Marcos, as even his courtship shows, lives at a pace infinitely more frenetic than is the style in what his American biographer calls the “lazy” and “slothful” South, though what’s Southern languor to outsiders is Southern grace to the South itself. Trained to that other gentler rhythm (expressed even in the honeyed accents of her folk), Marcos’s wife was bound to stumble before she could fall into step with him, especially since life with Marcos, as a relative says, is “a crisis every five minutes.”
Says his wife: “Being married to Ferdinand is a day-to-day challenge for me.”
- GenresNonfiction
233 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1981
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 10, 2019
If there was ever a person who was an ass-licker for the Marcoses, the author is it! He had it in spades in the pages of this book, I was imagining him slobberingly kissing with gusto the Marcoses's behinds! No wonder he got a National Artist award while Macoy was in power!!!
June 7, 2022
Book 5 out of 200 books (currently reading up to 200 books)
"Reportage on the Marcoses" by Quijano de Manila (Nome de Plume of Nick Joaquin)
My first review of a book on Goodreads, was "A Question of Heroes" written by the same author, so now I am going to rate another book by the same author, though this time he used a different name in the publishing of this work of his.
"Reportage on the Marcoses" is one of the Four REPORTAGE books written by Nick Joaquin in the late 1970s, that is to give his insight of the many both prominent and obscure events of his contemporary times. It follows the reports of the Dictatorial Marcos Family, from the Wedding of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos in the year 1954 to the politically and Militarily difficulties of the first Quarter storm of the late 1960s to the early 1970s, this event thus ending the book.
MY THOUGHTS:
This is the first Nick Joaquin book that I have ever read. Though my memories of this book and its contents are vague, only I remembering Imelda's beautification program of Manila, the establishment of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and their wedding, it is safe to say that Nick Joaquin was well aware of the events that were happening before the Marcoses turned crooks.
I Give 3 Stars to this book that is because I wasn't all that satisfied with the Prose and how well written out this book was. Though I Admire Nick Joaquin as a writer, this book is one dubious of a read.
I happen to accidentally stumble around this book while shopping at the National bookstore and asked my mother to buy me this book. Best decision we both made because this book, no matter how dubious the topic, introduced me more to the World of Philippine Literature and introduced me to both recreational and informational reading.
"Reportage on the Marcoses" by Quijano de Manila (Nome de Plume of Nick Joaquin)
My first review of a book on Goodreads, was "A Question of Heroes" written by the same author, so now I am going to rate another book by the same author, though this time he used a different name in the publishing of this work of his.
"Reportage on the Marcoses" is one of the Four REPORTAGE books written by Nick Joaquin in the late 1970s, that is to give his insight of the many both prominent and obscure events of his contemporary times. It follows the reports of the Dictatorial Marcos Family, from the Wedding of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos in the year 1954 to the politically and Militarily difficulties of the first Quarter storm of the late 1960s to the early 1970s, this event thus ending the book.
MY THOUGHTS:
This is the first Nick Joaquin book that I have ever read. Though my memories of this book and its contents are vague, only I remembering Imelda's beautification program of Manila, the establishment of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and their wedding, it is safe to say that Nick Joaquin was well aware of the events that were happening before the Marcoses turned crooks.
I Give 3 Stars to this book that is because I wasn't all that satisfied with the Prose and how well written out this book was. Though I Admire Nick Joaquin as a writer, this book is one dubious of a read.
I happen to accidentally stumble around this book while shopping at the National bookstore and asked my mother to buy me this book. Best decision we both made because this book, no matter how dubious the topic, introduced me more to the World of Philippine Literature and introduced me to both recreational and informational reading.
June 25, 2019
This is not just a reportage during the Marcos regime. This compilation from 1964 to 1970 seems to be a primer on how to run for presidency and how it is to be the head of state and becoming a first lady. Reading through the pages, the charm of Mr. and Mrs. Marcos catches one's attention easily. So much so that their words alone can pass as a validation to their "integrity". If you will read this, I encourage you to have other readings about the issues discussed here. Be a wiser reader!
Want to read
November 25, 2019Before judging why the author wrote this one, why not contemplate why he wrote this kind of book? Yes, during the administration of Marcos! If you were in his shoes, wouldn't you do the same? Have you read how Nick Joaquin helped freed his friend Jose “Pete” Lacaba? A poet, screenwriter, journalist and activist, Pete, was detained during the administration of Marcos. But with Nick Joaquin's influence, Pete was freed.
June 26, 2016
This is, by far, the least of Nick Joaquin's books that I enjoyed. From what I have inferred, Marcos is really a good speaker. Imelda's portion, however, makes me tire. At first, I enjoyed her appreciation of the arts, but when the latter part came, I became exhausted by her beatification, etc.
November 2, 2021
In this volume about the Marcoses, these were selected articles written by Nick Joaquin (Quijano de Manila) in the now defunct, Philippine Free Press. His articles provide context on the events and issues that are now overlooked or comprise several sentences in our Textbooks. Moreover, it is an interesting compilation of pieces written during the Marcoses in better time as reflected in the tenor of the articles. Makes one wonder where and when it all turned against them. A good read for those who would like to gain an insight on politics more than half a decade ago written in a lyrical prose by a National Artist.
July 27, 2022
Interestingly, this book serves as a historical account of the Marcoses even long before they were occupants of the Malacañang. Nick Joaquin was ambiguous in this book. He was neutral, a writer jotting down what he hears from those that tell these stories. On my end, I have to closely examine and be critical of what I read. In return, this book can be used against those testimonies and claims from the same delusionals that are included in this book.
Panapat na rin sa Maid in Malacañang ni D.Y. A timely book that we should revisit. Ang daming materyal na pwedeng ipakita at ipakain ang mga salita ng mga Marcoses.
Panapat na rin sa Maid in Malacañang ni D.Y. A timely book that we should revisit. Ang daming materyal na pwedeng ipakita at ipakain ang mga salita ng mga Marcoses.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews