Marcos and myth-making

"Ferdinand E. Marcos was not really a Marcos, but a Chua. His real father was Judge Ferdinand Chua of Batac." So say some writers and historians. Dictator Ferdinand Marcos remains one of the most controversial figures in our history, and this claim of his supposed real paternity is just one of the many legends that continue to float around. This story and many more are examples of myth-making, and experts agree that it is a powerful tool in politics that helps shape collective beliefs, forge group identity, and legitimize authority.

In modern times, myths about democratic traditions or revolutionary ideals are also utilized to legitimize governments. These often serve as rallying points, simplifying complex ideas into emotionally-resonant symbols. Stories of "founding fathers," revolutionary struggles, or historical enemies can inspire patriotism and mobilize citizens to support political agendas.

Politicians use myths to shape how history is remembered. This helps control public perception and align collective memory with their political objectives. For instance, glorifying certain historical figures while downplaying or ignoring others can influence national pride and policy. These, in turn, can be used to delineate "us" versus "them," which can polarize or unite societies. Remember the “Laban vesus Victory”, or the DDS vs. Dilawan, and then the Loyalists vs. Pinklawans during the Duterte and Marcos regimes. Political myths often position one group as virtuous and another as a threat, influencing electoral outcomes or consolidating power. By crafting and perpetuating myths, political leaders and movements create powerful narratives that resonate emotionally, guiding public perception and action. However, these myths can also distort reality, oversimplify issues, and perpetuate harmful ideologies.

Ferdinand Marcos Sr., employed myth-making to legitimize his authoritarian regime. It is even very possible that the stories about his being the illegitimate son of Ferdinand Chua were perpetuated by him. It was American historian Sterling Seagrave who first broached the idea that Marcos Sr.’s real father was a wealthy Chinese judge from Batac. Chua was so rich that he was able to influence the appointment of Jose P. Laurel as a judge in Manila. Much later, Chua was able to convince Laurel to hear Marcos’ appeal at the Supreme Court and then acquit him because Laurel reportedly saw in Marcos a mirror of himself and pleaded for his colleagues to acquit. It is interesting that as late as February 2024 Senator Imee Marcos told a gathering of Chuas that “the Marcos family is actually the Chua family” because her father (Ferdinand Marcos) was the son of a Chua. Intriguing, but not proof.

Marcos Sr. also perpetuated several other myths: he propagated fake narratives of his valor during World War II, claiming leadership and receiving numerous military honors. This constructed heroism bolstered his political image and authority. Together with wife Imelda Romualdez, they aligned themselves with the Filipino creation myth of "Malakas" (Strong) and "Maganda" (Beautiful), portraying themselves as the nation's paternal and maternal figures. Then, and now under his son and namesake, they continue to claim and depict the martial law period as a time of economic prosperity and national discipline. This narrative has been contested by scholars, describing such portrayals as deceptive nostalgia that obscures the regime's authoritarian excesses.

Finally, a persistent Marcos myth is the "Tallano gold". This has been debunked by historians and journalists as a fabrication intended to legitimize the Marcos family's unexplained wealth and divert attention from allegations of corruption. His own son and the “loyalists” today have even gone so far to claim that the Marcoses “would share this gold with the Filipino people”.

These myth-making efforts are instrumental in shaping public perception, allowing Marcos to maintain control and suppress dissent by embedding his narratives into the cultural and historical consciousness of the Philippines. These stories become so embedded in the collective consciousness of the people that they soon have a life of their own. Naturally, many of these myths have also been attributed to Marcos Sr.’s own son today, so we know that myth-making in the Marcos family continues to be an effective and powerful weapon.