President, First Lady play love coaches

MANILA, Philippines — Days after issuing strongly worded statements on political controversies confronting his administration, President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos played the role of relationship coaches in a vlog that promised to answer any question addressed to the first couple.

No controversial questions were featured in the nine-minute video, which was meant to be a Valentines’ Day entry of Marcos’ YouTube vlog.

Most of the queries from the vlog’s subscribers were related to love, including the First Couple’s tips on how to keep a relationship strong, how they spend time with each other despite their hectic schedules and their first kiss, although there was one question about their favorite project of the First Lady.

The vlog, which was uploaded yesterday, came as Marcos and his wife are being linked to a controversial signature campaign that seeks to amend the Constitution through a people’s initiative.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte has assailed what he described as a fraudulent signature campaign that seeks to lift the term limits of officials, and accused the First Lady and Marcos’ cousin Speaker Martin Romualdez of being behind it.

Duterte, the father of Vice President Sara Duterte, has also announced a plan to come up with his own signature campaign to secede Mindanao from the Philippines, a proposal that has been rejected by various agencies and local government groups.

Marcos has added his voice to the sectors opposing the plan, describing it as a “grave violation” of the Constitution, “preposterous” and “doomed to fail.”

The President also responded to speculations that the Charter change efforts are meant to perpetuate politicians in power, saying his administration is only pushing for amendments to economic provisions that prevent the entry of foreign investments.

Sense of humor

Asked what they thought makes a relationship strong and healthy, the First Couple cited the need for a sense of humor.

“One of the things really that keeps us going is the sense of humor. Our jobs are serious. I was about to say we don’t bring work at home, but we do,” the President said. “In the end, we always find time to laugh about everything and try to see the lighter side of things, otherwise you will go a little crazy.”

The First Lady said she and Marcos try to laugh a lot because it is so stressful outside their home.

“Don’t let stress get to you. Laugh whenever you can, be grateful for what you have. We’re all blessed in one way or another. We’ll never be perfect but just be grateful,” she said.

Marcos advised couples engage in face-to-face interactions instead of interacting online.

“I suppose it’s just direct communication. Don’t communicate through your phone. Talk to each other face to face. Don’t bother with social media when it comes to relationships. Talk to each other face to face. Hold hands. Go have dinner. Walk down the beach, do something. Don’t do it digitally,” he said.

Responding to a question on whether they still date, the First Couple said they try to find time to be together despite their busy schedules.

“We try to find, you know, five minutes here, 20 minutes there, we eat together maybe, whatever the schedule allows, we take full advantage of it,” Marcos said.

Liza said she and the President have a “date night” every Wednesday.

“We choose a restaurant to eat in. If he is busy, then he cooks right at home, but mostly we eat out and we try to talk about funny things to lessen the stress,” she said.

Marcos gave a similar response on the question about their love language.

“We just try to, I suppose, be with each other as much as possible and as I said earlier snatch what little time there is in both our busy schedules to spend time with one another. It is really time because it is of course the most valuable thing,” the Chief Executive said. “I don’t think you can put it down to one thing because there are so many things we do.”

The First Couple were also asked about the traits they love most about each other.

Marcos said the First Lady really takes care of their family and she always finds ways to solve their problems immediately.

“You always know that she has your back,” he said.

Liza said Marcos is so patient and kind and always sees the good qualities in people.

“Not a mean soul in your body. I know you love the country. And God, the things you put up with, I don’t know how you do it. I’m so proud of you also,” she added.

They described each other’s response as “sweet.”

Unforgettable

In the same interview, the First Couple revealed that their first kiss was in New York 35 years ago. Liza said Marcos kissed her first, to which the President replied: “Pumayag ka naman (You allowed it to happen).”

The First Lady then told her husband: “Patay na patay sa akin (He was really so in love with me).”

The First Couple also claimed that they never get into a fight or any argument. They also talked about their favorite project, Lab 4 All, which offers medical services in various parts of the country.

Replying to the question about their most unforgettable adventure, Marcos and Liza agreed that it was the presidency.

“What we are doing now yeah, which will be over in 1,606 days, thank you very much,” the First Lady said.

“This is the biggest thing I have been involved with, being president and having Liza as first lady. In very many ways, it is an adventure and it is something that very few people have the privilege of experiencing. That is why it is also unforgettable,” Marcos said.

Towards the end of the interview, Liza, who was described by Marcos as shy, said it would be her first and last time to appear in the President’s vlog.