The Love Story of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos
On May 1, 1954, Ferdinand Marcos and Imelda Romualdez were married at the Pro Cathedral of San Miguel in Manila, after being married in a civil ceremony in Baguio City. Though they seemed an unlikely match, Marcos being a Liberal and an Ilocano and Imelda being a Nacionalista by family tradition and a Waray-waray, he pursued her.
Imelda Romualdez and Ferdinand Marcos on their wedding day (Imelda and Ferdinand on their wedding day) President Ramon Magsaysay, the principal sponsor, held the breakfast reception in Malacañang Palace, where about 3,000 of Manila’s officials and social elite were invited.
They were celebrated by the media, their wedding publicized as the “Wedding of the Year”. The groom was among the most outstanding young politicians in the country, whose public image as a reputable trial lawyer and legislative figure was magnified by his dashing, charismatic personality. The bride carried a name which was respected in both political circles and social register, and whose beauty and fine voice could charm gatherings.
After the marriage, Marcos had his house in San Juan renovated and added a wing for his law office so that he could spend as much time as he could with his family.