The Honorable
Liza Araneta Marcos
First Lady of the Philippines[1]
Assumed role
June 30, 2022
PresidentBongbong Marcos
Preceded byVacant
Jose Miguel Arroyo[lower-alpha 1] (First Gentleman)
Personal details
Born
Marie Louise Cacho Araneta[3]

(1959-08-21) August 21, 1959[4]
Manila, Philippines
Spouse
​
(m. 1993)​
Children3 including Sandro
Parents
RelativesAraneta family
Marcos family
Residence(s)Malacañang Palace, Bahay ng Pagbabago
EducationAteneo de Manila University (B.A., LL.B)
New York University[5]
OccupationAcademic
ProfessionLawyer

Marie Louise "Liza" Araneta Marcos (née Marie Louise Cacho Araneta;[6] born August 21, 1959) is a Filipina lawyer and academic who has been the first lady of the Philippines since 2022 as the wife of Bongbong Marcos, the 17th and incumbent president of the Philippines. Born in Manila, Araneta Marcos is a graduate of Ateneo de Manila University and completed postgraduate courses at New York University.[7] In addition to her law practice, she taught in various universities in the country and is a founder of MOST (Marcos, Ochoa, Serapio & Tan) Law Firm and M&A Associates. She met Bongbong Marcos in New York City in 1989 and married him in 1993. Araneta Marcos also served as the main strategist in her husband's presidential campaign, and is seen as one of the key people influencing her husband's presidency.[8]

Early life and education

Liza Araneta was born on August 21, 1959, in Manila, Philippines, to Manuel L. Araneta Jr., a Filipino basketball Olympian who was born in Iloilo City but was raised in Bago, Negros Occidental, and Milagros A. Cacho.[5] Both of her parents were of Spanish descent, and came from prominent political backgrounds, while her connection to the Araneta family is traced to her Basque roots.[9][10] Araneta is also first cousins with Jeric Soriano, the father of filmmaker Paul Soriano. She, along with her husband were also the principal sponsors of Soriano's marriage with actress Toni Gonzaga.[11] Aside from being affiliated with the Marcos family, she also has a connection with the Roxas family, as her father is the first cousin of Judith "Judy" Araneta-Roxas, the mother of politician Mar Roxas, which makes her and the former interior secretary second cousins.[12] She also has ties with the Cojuangco family, as Milagros' youngest sister, Rosario A. Cacho, was married to Pedro Cojuangco, the eldest brother of former president Corazon Aquino.[5]

Araneta studied at the Ateneo de Manila University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in 1981, and got her Bachelor of Laws at the same university in 1985. After graduating from the Ateneo, Liza enrolled at the New York University, where she completed her post-graduate courses in criminal procedure.[5]

Career

Araneta began her career as a lawyer in New York City after graduating from the New York University, and became a law professor in various law colleges and universities across the country. She began her teaching career at the Far Eastern University Institute of Law in Manila from 1996 to 1998, and at the Northwestern University College of Law in 1998 to 2006.[5] In 2006, she temporarily stopped her career as a professor to become a founding member of the MOST (Marcos, Ochoa, Serapio & Tan) Law Firm.[5] Araneta Marcos left the firm in January 2019 to start her own law firm, named M&A Associates.[5]

Araneta Marcos eventually returned to teaching in 2010, where she became a professor at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila from 2010 to 2014, before moving to Saint Louis University in 2014 to 2018, and lastly at the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) College of Law from 2018 to 2020. During her time as a professor in MMSU, she also served as an assistant dean within the College of Law, before she ended her teaching career for a second time, after she struggled to adopt to the shift from face-to-face classes to online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2][5]

Her claim on her online resume of being a member of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) was questioned in April 2022. In an email reply to Rappler, the NYSBA responded that she is not a member of their organization, stating that her name and variations of such name do not exist in their database.[13] Vera Files also conducted a separate fact-checking research which ended in a similar conclusion.[14]

First Lady of the Philippines (2022–present)

The Marcos couple (center) with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana in Bogor, September 2022
Araneta Marcos (left) with her husband departing for China for a diplomatic visit, January 2023

During the 2022 Philippine elections, Araneta Marcos served as the main strategist for her husband's presidential campaign, and collaborated with Paul Soriano in making Marcos' campaign advertisements.[8][15] When it comes to certain political positions, Araneta Marcos favors the legalization of divorce in the Philippines but for "cogent reasons" maintaining that marriage should not be easily be dissolvable. She is also in favor legalizing abortion for in cases of pregnancies resulting from rape and incest as well as the legalizing same-sex relationships.[2] Araneta-Marcos temporarily left her own law firm following her husband's victory in the 2022 elections, in order to fulfill her duties as First Lady of the Philippines.[16] Her assumption of the role, marks the first time that the Philippines has a first lady since Loi Ejercito, the wife of President Joseph Estrada.[2]

Aside from being the First Lady, Araneta Marcos continued her teaching career in part-time. In August 2022, she chose to teach criminal law part-time at West Visayas State University in Iloilo, her father's home province.[17] On July 27, 2022, she hosted a meeting with United States Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro and his wife, Betty Del Toro, and the United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson.[18] On August 3, 2022, Araneta Marcos hosted her first Malacañang event, as she hosted the lady ambassadors' luncheon, held at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall.[19] On the same day, she also launched her own Facebook page.[20] On August 4, 2022, she also held a luncheon with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian and his dignitaries.[21] On August 8, 2022, Araneta Marcos served as the guest of honor in the 78th commencement exercises at the University of Batangas.[22]

On August 9, 2022, Araneta Marcos served as the guest of honor at the graduation of the VIP Protection Course Class 128-2022 at the Presidential Security Group (PSG) Headquarters in Malacañang Park.[23] On August 15, 2022, she attended the Indian Independence Day reception at the Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila.[24] In a inauguration event on November 3, 2022, Araneta Marcos was named as the National President and Chief Girl Scout of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.[25]

Renovations at the Malacañang Palace

During the early days of Bongbong Marcos' presidency, Araneta Marcos spearheaded the renovation of Malacañang Palace to enhance and modernize its interiors with Filipino designs. The last major renovation occurred in 1978-1979 under Former First Lady Imelda Marcos. Key areas, including the Reception Hall, Grand Staircase, Internal House Affairs Office, Office of the Social Secretary, Protocol Office, Functional Staff Quarters (formerly the Engineering Warehouse), and the central kitchen, underwent significant improvements. The renovation also introduced a new indoor garden, enhancing key areas with plants and flowers. Ongoing renovation works are being carried out in Bahay ng Pagbabago, the current residence of President Bongbong Marcos.[26] [27] [28]

Araneta Marcos also launched renovation projects at the Bahay Ugnayan Museum, the Teus Mansion, and the Goldenberg Mansion, which now serves as museums showcasing the country's culture and history made by Philippine Presidents. The Bahay Ugnayan Museum currently displays the incumbent President Bongbong Marcos's life through the years, while the Teus Mansion displays various memorabilia used by Former Presidents and First Ladies.[29] [30] Meanwhile, the Goldenberg Mansion is currently renovated into an events venue for specialized events.[31] [32] However, criticisms have been made over lavish events held at the said mansion.[33]

Advocacies

As First Lady, Araneta Marcos has been involved in matters primarily on education and culture.[5]

Being a former part-time criminal law professor, Araneta Marcos stressed the importance of education within the country, and launches measures to support students in need. During the opening of the Presidential Museum at the National Library of the Philippines, Araneta Marcos also emphasized the importance of libraries in the educational system, and has loaned over 40,000 books for organizing, cleaning, and repairs.[34]

Aside from education, Araneta Marcos also initiated support programs on arts & crafts, and cultural activities, as she once spearheaded the full scale cultural mapping program within her husband's province, Ilocos Norte, during her time as the province's first lady. Araneta Marcos also launched cultural enhancement, preservation, industrial, and tourism programs which aims to support the local communities, particularly in the weaving industry. [5]

Araneta Marcos is also a known supporter for the arts, wherein she serves as one of the Board of Trustees at the Asian Cultural Council since 2016, and has inaugurated support programs for various artists. [5]

Lisa Marcos with Filipino artisans

Personal life

Liza Araneta Marcos first met Bongbong Marcos, the son of former president Ferdinand Marcos and her would-be husband, in 1989 in New York City through mutual friends. Liza was working as a lawyer at that time while Bongbong's family was in exile from the Philippines following the People Power Revolution of 1986.[35] She and Bongbong got married on April 17, 1993 at the Church of St. Francis in Fiesole, Italy.[36] They have three children, including Ilocos Norte's 1st district representative Sandro Marcos (born 1994).[37] Araneta Marcos is known to be living in a private life prior to her husband's presidential bid, and rarely participates in interviews with the media.[7] The Marcos family maintains a residence in Forbes Park, Makati.[38]

Notes

  1. ↑ Jose Miguel Arroyo, who was the husband of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, was the last to assume the role of First Gentleman, the male equivalent of First Lady, in a regular capacity. President Benigno Aquino III was a bachelor but his siblings are also visiting in a state visit. while Rodrigo Duterte had Honeylet Avanceña as his unmarried partner; Avanceña never held the role of First Lady under a regular capacity.[2]


References

  1. ↑ "Number one adviser incoming First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos seen to play key role". ABS-CBN News. June 27, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Cos, Wena (July 9, 2022). "PH finally has a first First Lady again after 2 decades". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
  3. ↑ Lawyers List. "ARANETA, MARIE LOUISE C.; Manila; April 6, 1990; Roll No. 36273. | Lawyers List". Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Resume of Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr". Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "About the First Lady". President of the Philippines. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  6. ↑ Lawyers List. "ARANETA, MARIE LOUISE C.; Manila; April 6, 1990; Roll No. 36273". Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  7. 1 2 "'I like my anonymity': Liza Marcos shares glimpse of personal, family life". ABS-CBN News. March 10, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  8. 1 2 Robbles, Raisa (March 14, 2022). "Marcos Jnr's wife emerges from shadows as Philippine election race heats up". South China Morning Post. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Clan of Marcos Jr.'s wife join Leni-Kiko volunteer events in Bacolod, Iloilo". Rappler. April 30, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  10. ↑ Genealogist, Filipino. "First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and the House of Araneta". Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Meet the man behind BBM's ads: Direk Paul Soriano". Manila Bulletin. April 23, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Araneta family tree explained: Here's how Liza Marcos, Mar Roxas are related - Bilyonaryo Business News". June 1, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  13. ↑ "HINDI TOTOO: Ang asawa ni Marcos Jr. ay miyembro ng New York State Bar Association". Rappler (in Filipino). April 8, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  14. ↑ "VERA FILES FACT CHECK: No record of Liza Marcos as member of New York State Bar Association". VERA Files. April 8, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Paul Soriano, the creative behind the BBM win". Manila Bulletin. May 13, 2022.
  16. ↑ Cabristante, Raffy (June 26, 2022). "Marcos says family preparing for his assumption to office". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  17. ↑ Sornito, Ime (August 6, 2022). "First Lady Liza Marcos is WVSU Law professor". Panay News. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  18. ↑ Romualdez, Ambassador B. "We will not give up one square inch of our territory". Philstar.com.
  19. ↑ Mercado, Neil Arwin (August 5, 2022). "First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos hosts luncheon for lady ambassadors". INQUIRER.net.
  20. ↑ "Liza Marcos". www.facebook.com.
  21. ↑ Sarao, Zacarian (August 7, 2022). "First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos meets with Chinese top envoy in Malacañang". INQUIRER.net.
  22. ↑ "First Lady to Batangas grads: Make PH 'better place to live in'". www.pna.gov.ph.
  23. ↑ "WATCH | Liza Marcos to PSG: 'Thank you for taking care of us'". August 11, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Ilang opisyal ng pamahalaan, nakibahagi sa pagdiriwang ng 75th Independence Day ng India sa Taguig; First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, kabilang sa mga dumalo - video". Dailymotion. August 16, 2022.
  25. ↑ Fernandez, Daniza (November 3, 2022). "First Lady Liza Marcos installed as chief of Girl Scout of the Philippines". INQUIRER.net.
  26. ↑ News, GMA Integrated (February 6, 2023). "Portions of Malacanang get new look with renovations". GMA News Online. {{cite news}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  27. ↑ Sy, Alicia Colby. "Revisiting Malacañang Palace's storied past and a tour of its recent renovations". Tatler Asia.
  28. ↑ "Marcos family makes renovations to Malacañang Palace | ANC".
  29. ↑ "IN PHOTOS: Two museums in Malacañang open to public in June". Manila Bulletin.
  30. ↑ Flores, Helen. "Palace opens free heritage tours". Philstar.com.
  31. ↑ Corrales, Nestor (May 31, 2023). "Malacañang opens heritage mansions for glimpse of PH history, culture". INQUIRER.net.
  32. ↑ "These Heritage Mansions in Malacañang Are Now Open to the Public for Free".
  33. ↑ Relativo, James (August 12, 2023). "Palace fashion show criticized amid soaring rice, oil prices". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on August 13, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  34. ↑ Flores, Helen. "First Lady opens Presidential Library at the National Library". Philstar.com.
  35. ↑ Bhagwat, Medha (June 27, 2022). "Who Is Louise Araneta-Marcos? Philippines New First Lady Will Remain Number One Adviser to Bongbong Marcos". International Business Times. IBTimes Co., Ltd. Agence France-Presse. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  36. ↑ "Bongbong takes a bride". Manila Standard. Kamahalan Publishing Corp. April 19, 1993. p. 4. Retrieved October 10, 2021. Rep. Ferdinand (Bongbong) Marcos II wed his fiancee, Louise 'Lisa' Araneta Saturday [April 17] at the Church of St. Francis in Siesole [sic], Italy.
  37. ↑ "Marcos Jr aims to fulfil family's 'destiny' as Philippines president". The Guardian. May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  38. ↑ Gonzales, Iris (April 26, 2021). "Billionaires are selling their sprawling Forbes homes". Property Report PH. PhilStar Media Group. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
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