December 30, 1965, a very controversial chapter in the Philippine history began. It was the start of the presidential term of the late Ferdinand Edralin Marcos. He was the first Philippine president to proclaim the state of martial law in the country. Through the martial law, he took advantage of everything that our country offered to him. Ferdinand Marcos" term as president of the Philippines has influenced drastic changes in the country through his proclamation of the martial law. These drastic changes during his regime altered the people's thoughts about the government. President Marcos "traumatized" the nation because of his works. .
Some of us Filipinos had been a part of this period in history. We should remember or at least know some of the misfortunes the Marcos Government had brought to the Philippine nation. It would be necessary for us to look back from time to time at Marcos" presidential term so that we would be able to have knowledge of what it takes to prevent this kind of history to repeat itself.
THE MAKINGS OF A LEADER.
President Marcos was known to be the smartest and most talented amongst the presidents of the Philippines. He did an extraordinary job in his studies and also excelled in sports. He always topped his class and graduated with honors on March 1939 (High school). He was always a scholar of the University of the Philippines when he studied law. He acquired the President Quezon Award because of a job well done in his college thesis. He was also known to be the best orator in his time and was again able to accept the President Quezon Award for the second time because of this. After college, he went through military training and was able to finish with honors. (Garcia, L.G., 1997, pp. 67-68). It was noticeable that Marcos had the makings of a great leader. However, did he become one?.
POLITICAL CAREER.
His political career started when he won in the 1949 elections as Congressman of the province Ilocos.