
In an unexpected twist, Broadway has become the stage for the tumultuous history of Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos, as portrayed in the musical "Here Lies Love." Lewis M. Simons, an investigative journalist well-versed in the crimes of the former first couple of the Philippines, shares his surprising experience at a recent sold-out matinee.
Arielle Jacobs and Jose Llana took on the challenging roles of Imelda and Ferdinand Marcos, bringing to life the dark and complex narrative of the notorious duo in this tragicomic rock musical crafted by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim. Simons, known for his works such as "To Tell the Truth" and "Worth Dying For," found himself among a captivated audience at the Broadway Theater, witnessing the Marcoses—albeit actors—commanding the stage with their performances.
Despite his personal aversion to the Marcoses, stemming from years of investigating their crimes firsthand, Simons candidly admits to being swept up in the theatrical experience. The audience, comprising Filipinos, tourists from the Philippines, and a diverse group of U.S. residents, witnessed moments that resonated across generations. For some, the memories of the Marcoses' 21-year conjugal dictatorship were vivid, while others were introduced to this complex history through the lens of a musical.
The poignant portrayal of Imelda Marcos by Arielle Jacobs, questioning "Why Don't You Love Me?" and Jose Llana's charismatic depiction of Ferdinand campaigning for office, invoked a range of emotions in the audience. Simons, at times, found himself moved to tears, highlighting the power of storytelling and performance in bringing historical narratives to life.
As the final curtain fell, Simons reflects on the unexpected intersection of his journalistic past and newfound appreciation for the artistic interpretation of the Marcos legacy. The presence of both Filipinos and an international audience adds another layer to the complexity of emotions stirred by the performance, reminding everyone that history, even one as tumultuous as the Marcos era, can find an unexpected home on the Broadway stage.
Following the resounding standing ovation, I found myself in the lobby engaged in conversation with a group of women who shared a poignant history—a shared past as college classmates in Manila during the transformative People Power Revolution of 1986. Dolores Mendoza, now an accountant in New Jersey, vividly recounted the days when Filipinos marched and shouted for the overthrow of the elder Marcos, culminating in a bloodless revolution.
As we reminisced about the collective spirit that led to change, Dolores reflected on her reaction to the theatrical portrayal of the Marcos era onstage. "I cried," she confessed, still visibly moved, with fellow Filipinos around her expressing similar emotions. The lobby buzzed with a mix of tears and laughter as the audience, deeply touched by the performance, made their way toward the exits.
For Dolores and her friends, the play not only struck a chord in their hearts but also invoked a sense of joy. "It touched my heart," said one of Dolores's friends, "but it was fun, too!" Laughter mingled with the echoes of history, creating a complex tapestry of emotions that resonated with those who lived through the tumultuous events of the Marcos era.
Flashbacks to September 1, 1983, emerged as I recalled marching through the streets of Manila amid rain and sweltering heat. Alongside a million Filipinos, including Dolores and her friends, we accompanied the lifeless body of Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., Marcos' political adversary, assassinated upon his return from exile in Boston. Three years later, perched atop the locked gates of Malacañang presidential palace, I witnessed the exodus of the Marcoses, their cronies, and a trove of ill-gotten gains, lifted into the night sky by U.S. military helicopters.
These post-performance reflections serve as a testament to the enduring impact of historical events and the ability of art to evoke deep emotions and memories. As laughter intertwined with tears in the lobby, it became evident that "Here Lies Love" not only entertained but also stirred the soul, prompting a collective journey down the complex and often painful lanes of Philippine history.
As the curtain fell on the Marcos era, the exiled former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and his family landed in Honolulu on February 26, 1986, greeted by a warm welcome from then-Hawaii Gov. George Ariyoshi and his wife Jean. However, their arrival was marked by more than just diplomatic niceties; it revealed the staggering excesses and hidden wealth of the once-ruling couple.
The scene at the airport hinted at the extravagant escape. Laden with overweight luggage, hastily packed crates unveiled a trove of millions—cash, stocks, jewelry, and a gold kilobar case engraved with sentiments for their 24th wedding anniversary. Notorious for her opulence, Imelda Marcos left behind an infamous collection—3,000 pairs of shoes, 15 mink coats, 508 gowns, 888 handbags, and gallons of French perfume.
In the lead-up to this dramatic evacuation, investigative journalist Lewis M. Simons played a pivotal role. Breaking the story of General Fabian Ver's orchestration of Ninoy Aquino's murder and uncovering the Marcoses' hidden wealth, Simons and his colleagues earned a Pulitzer Prize. Their exposé, revealing assets in Manhattan and San Francisco real estate, Caribbean shell companies, and anonymous Swiss bank accounts, played a crucial role in shaping public opinion.
Yet, the stolen wealth, estimated between $10 billion to $30 billion, was just one facet of the Marcos regime's crimes. During the nine-year martial-law reign of terror, over 3,200 Filipinos lost their lives or disappeared, with 70,000 imprisoned and 34,000 subjected to torture. The Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation, coupled with the staggering human cost of the Marcos regime, played a vital role in shifting the political landscape, leading to the election of Corazon "Cory" Aquino and the ousting of Ferdinand Marcos.
Decades later, as the former first lady, Imelda Marcos, returned to the Philippines in 1991, the shadows of the past loomed large. The narrative of exile, excess, and hidden wealth serves as a stark reminder of a turbulent era in Philippine history—a saga that continues to shape the nation's collective memory and the pursuit of justice for the atrocities committed during the Marcos regime.
In the aftermath of Ferdinand Marcos's demise in 1989, the Philippines witnessed a surprising chapter in its history. Two years later, President Aquino permitted the return of Imelda Marcos and her children, who had faced charges of tax fraud and corruption. Despite legal battles, the charges amounted to nothing, and Imelda, like a phoenix, fluttered between politics and the fashion industry. However, her ultimate triumph lay in orchestrating her son Bongbong's ascent to the presidential office, once occupied by Ferdinand until the tumultuous night in 1986.
In a stunning political comeback, Bongbong Marcos secured nearly 59% of the 2022 vote, marking the largest margin since his father's overwhelming victory 41 years earlier, attributed in part to an opposition boycott. Today, as Imelda and Ferdinand's characters receive curtain calls on Broadway, their son governs the nation, establishing himself as a staunch ally of the United States. Echoing his father's strategy during the Vietnam War, Bongbong strategically offered military bases to U.S. forces in the face of potential challenges from China.
Reflecting on the Broadway musical "Here Lies Love," the realization strikes: during Lewis M. Simons' years in Manila, the Marcoses, especially the now-94-year-old Imelda, had mastered the art of capturing the hearts and votes of ordinary Filipinos through entertainment. Imelda's elaborate hairstyles, stunning butterfly-sleeved terno dresses, and distinctive breathy voice enchanted crowds, providing a fleeting taste of glamour and excitement. In a nuanced parallel to historical figures using spectacles and gestures to appease restless populations, the Marcoses, too, sang their way into the hearts of the people.
As the musical unfolds on Broadway, the saga of the Marcos family continues to influence the political landscape of the Philippines. Imelda's legacy, not only as a political figure but also as an entertainer, underscores the intricate ways in which charisma, theatrics, and the promise of a better future can shape a nation's destiny.
In a surreal twist of political drama, the final hours of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos's reign in the Philippines unfolded like a scripted scene from a tragic opera. On the eve of their exile, the couple orchestrated a bizarre farewell from the balcony of Malacañang Palace, the seat of their power. In an act of audacious defiance, they staged their own swearing-in ceremony, despite Cory Aquino having assumed the presidency hours earlier.
Against the backdrop of imminent exile, Ferdinand and Imelda, locked in a gaze that betrayed the weight of their impending departure, serenaded a handful of last-ditch supporters with a duet rendition of "Because of You." The haunting melody echoed through the air, marking the conclusion of a political dynasty and the beginning of a tumultuous chapter in Philippine history.
For onlookers like Lewis M. Simons, witnessing this surreal spectacle on the TV in his hotel room was nothing short of mind-bending. The scene encapsulated the grandiosity, audacity, and the tragic finale of the Marcos era. As they fled the palace later that evening aboard four American helicopters en route to exile in Hawaii, the echoes of "Because of You" lingered—a haunting soundtrack to the end of an era that continues to reverberate through the corridors of Philippine political history.
In conclusion, the final act of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos's political saga in the Philippines reads like a surreal and tragic opera. The staged swearing-in ceremony on the balcony of Malacañang Palace, accompanied by a duet rendition of "Because of You," stands as a bizarre farewell to power and a prelude to exile. The haunting melody became the soundtrack to their departure, symbolizing the end of a political dynasty and the beginning of a tumultuous chapter in Philippine history.
As Lewis M. Simons watched this mind-bending spectacle unfold on his hotel room TV, the gravity of the moment was palpable. The grandiosity and audacity exhibited in those final hours became a lasting symbol of the Marcos era's tumultuous conclusion. The escape from the palace, orchestrated with American helicopters en route to exile in Hawaii, marked the end of an era that continues to reverberate through the corridors of Philippine political history.
The Marcos legacy, from the height of power to the dramatic fall and the subsequent return of the Marcos name to political prominence, is a complex narrative that spans decades. The Broadway musical "Here Lies Love" serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of this political dynasty, not only on the Philippines but also in the collective memory of those who witnessed the tumultuous events unfold. The serenade from that balcony remains an indelible moment in the annals of Philippine history, a final note in the symphony of a regime's rise and fall.