Ang makulay na buhay pag-ibig ni Imelda

It would be completely unbelievable for those living outside the Philippines that the Marcoses are still around after leaving the country in the wake of the 1986 People Power Revolution. These thoughts came to mind upon reading about the album on which was based the musical Here Lies Love which told the story of Imelda Marcos for the first time in the US in 2013. It is now 2014 and Imelda (Meldy) is still at it, with the public insistent on hearing her story.

We have always been drawn to the story of Meldy and the numerous other allegations about her that have been transformed into legends. It reached a point when one could no longer tell which is which, what is what — what is legend and what is real. We are certain that Meldy likewise, like us, couldn’t separate the grain from the chaff.

Here Lies Love is a concept musical made in collaboration between David Byrne and Fatboy Slim on the life and legends surrounding the former First Lady of the Philippines. The album features 22 guest vocalists and was released on April 6, 2010 under Nonesuch Records and Todo Mundo in several formats, including a deluxe double-compact disc set with a DVD of music videos from the album, plus a 120-page book. The album was adapted into the musical that premiered in 2013 at the Public Theater in 425 Lafayette Street, New York City

We are certain that Here Lies Love the book will make even larger sales (paging National Book Store) if translated in Filipino. The title of the album comes from a statement of Imelda that she would like “Here Lies Love” to be inscribed on her tombstone when she dies. So, how about “Buhay Pag-ibig ni Imelda”?

The studio album features mostly guest female singers including Florence Welch, Allison Moorer, Nellie McKay, Cyndi Lauper, Tori Amos, Martha Wainwright, Natalie Merchant, Sia Furler, Santigold, Charmaine Clamor, Nicole Atkins and Kate Pierson, among many others. The only male vocalists are Steve Earle and David Byrne himself. Here Lies Love was performed live four times before the album was released. It was first presented at the Adelaide Festival of the Arts in Australia and also performed live at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Going back to our suggestion of doing Filipino versions, it would also be great for an establishment like the Viva Entertainment Group to consider producing the Here Lies Love musical. With its litany of artists under contract, it would be a cinch for Boss Vic del Rosario to have Filipinos known internationally to sing new songs written by our numerous talented composers. As a final note, the title of the project and album will likewise need to be Filipinized.

To those who do not know the real story of Imelda, some facts need a brief retelling. She was born Imelda Romualdez in Manila, went to a Catholic girls’ school in Tacloban, won a competition as Miss Manila, caught the eye of a brilliant politician Ferdinand Marcos, married Marcos after a whirlwind courtship of 11 days and became First Lady to Marcos in 1965. But to get there was not that easy since the family had to struggle financially with Imelda pawning whatever jewelry her parents had kept.

As her husband climbed the country’s political ladder, Imelda cared for the couple’s growing family. They eventually had three children together: Imee, Irene and Ferdinand Jr., also known as Bongbong. Marcos was elected president in 1965, and Imelda, with her beauty and poise, met the world’s most famous leaders who were always mesmerized by her beauty and charm. These included US president Lyndon Johnson, Cuban leader Fidel Castro, Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. She spearheaded numerous beautification and developmental projects as governor of Metro Manila in her espousal of “The True, the Good and the Beautiful” which became her battle cry. And lest we forget, she built the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Her daughter Imee won the post of governor of Ilocos Norte in 2010, while Bongbong was elected to the country’s senate that same year. Imelda, however, continues to face legal challenges regarding funds allegedly taken from the Philippine government. The Marcoses are said to have amassed around $10B during their time in power.

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