Marcos observes Saints' Day with family

(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday observed All Saints' Day by visiting the tomb of his father, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNB) in Taguig City.

Accompanied by First Lady Louise «Liza» Araneta-Marcos and their sons, Joseph Simon and William Vincent, and other members of the Marcos family, including his mother, former first lady Imelda Marcos, and sisters, Sen. Imee Marcos and Irene Marcos-Araneta, the Chief Executive heard Mass at the site officiated by Fr. Roy Onggao, Philippine Army chief chaplain.

Dozens of Marcos supporters clad in red were also in attendance.

The First Family left the LNB shortly after the Mass. No program was held for the occasion.

Earlier, the President called on Filipinos to continue to honor age-old traditions «that display the essence of the Filipino culture, giving utmost importance to our faith and family» and to take the long break as an opportunity to «enjoy reuniting with our loved ones, while receiving much-needed nourishment for our spiritual lives.»

«Therefore, as we celebrate the saints' staunch devotion and the legacies of those who have gone before us, let us reflect on our purpose and our unceasing need for God's guidance,» Marcos noted.

«Let the examples of faith demonstrated by our forebears bind us all in appreciating the joy of leading a virtuous life here on Earth, as well as in recognizing the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. I wish everyone a meaningful observance,» he added.

Virtuous life

The President expressed hope that the examples of faith demonstrated by our forebears «bind us all in appreciating the joy of leading a virtuous life here on earth as well as in recognizing the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.»

«Our people's earnest obedience to this holy obligation throughout the centuries has given birth to the traditions that Filipinos carry until today — traditions displaying the essence of the Filipino culture and giving utmost importance to faith and family,» Marcos said.

«This time comes as a refreshing gift, for we can also enjoy reuniting with our loved ones while receiving much-needed nourishment for our spiritual lives,»