Doña Mary Ejercito
Born
Maria Marcelo

(1906-05-02)May 2, 1906
Malate, Manila, Philippine Islands
DiedJanuary 13, 2009(2009-01-13) (aged 102)
San Juan, Metro Manila, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Other namesMary Ejercito
Doña Mary
OccupationHousewife
Spouse
Emilio Ejercito
​
​
(m. 1926; d. 1977)​
[1]
Children10 (inc. Joseph and George Sr.)

Maria "Mary" Marcelo vda. de Ejército (May 2, 1906[2] – January 13, 2009), also known as Doña Mary, was the mother of Joseph Ejercito Estrada, the thirteenth president of the Philippines. Her ailing health was cited as among the reasons for the withdrawal of the appeal of the former president from his conviction for criminal plunder charges in 2007; Estrada was immediately pardoned by his successor, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Education

Maria Marcelo finished her secondary schooling at the Colegio de Sta. Rosa, and enrolled at the University of the Philippines Faculty of Music, where she received a diploma in piano.[3]

Marriage and children

She met Emilio Ejercito Sr. (1899–1977), an engineer who became the first Sanitary Engineer of the City of Manila.[3] They were married on June 13, 1926, in Singalong, Manila.[1] Together they had ten children: Pilarica (born 1927), Emilio, Jr. (1929-1999), Paulino (Paulie) (1931-2009), Patrocinio (born 1933), Antonio (1933-2004), Connie (born 1935), Marita (born 1935), the (former) President and mayor Joseph Estrada (born 1937), the actor George Estregan (Jorge) (1939-1988) and Jesus (Jesse) (born 1947). In 1998, Ejercito received the "Ulirang Ina" ('Exemplary Mother') award from the Philippines’ Elderly Persons Foundation. In that same year, she attended the presidential inauguration of her son Joseph on June 30 at Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan.

Presidential mother

During her son's rule, Ejercito kept a low profile. She reportedly advised her son to be cautious of the influence wielded by his close friends.[4] During President Estrada's impeachment trial, news of the political crisis was deliberately withheld from her, but after receiving information of the proceedings she advised her son thusly: "It's more than high time you change. The people are angry now."[5]

Health problems

Ejercito's health began to decline during her son's six-year incarceration; the ousted President would occasionally be granted furloughs to visit his ailing mother.[6] In 2007, Ejercito was confined at the San Juan Medical Center, and rumours spread that she was near death.[7] On September 12, 2007, Estrada was convicted by the Sandiganbayan (a special appellate collegial court) of plunder charges and sentenced to reclusión perpetua. One month later, he withdrew his appeal and instead sought for a presidential pardon. Among the reasons cited for the request, which was granted, was Ejercito's "delicate condition".[8]

On May 2, 2008, Ejercito celebrated her 102nd birthday from her sickbed. She had been confined to hospital and attached to an artificial respirator since August 2007[6] and would remain so until death.[9]

On December 12, 2008, a spokesperson for former President Estrada reported that Ejercito was in critical condition and needed resuscitation,[10] but her physicians announced later that day that her condition had since stabilised.[11]

Death

Ejercito died on January 13, 2009, from a heart seizure and stomach aneurysm.[9] Former President Joseph Estrada and his six surviving siblings, namely Pilarica, Paulino (who died eight months later in September of the same year), Patrocinio, Marita, Connie and Jesus,[12] were at her side when she died, as were also several of her grandchildren, great and great-great-grandchildren as well.[9]

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Philippines, Manila Civil Registration, 1899-1994," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-12228-7630-86?cc=1686086&wc=M8LJ-BW5:129556101,129694401,130976501 : accessed May 2, 2014), Marriage Certificates > 1926 > May, #79568-83765 > image 83 of 1017; citing Civil Registry Office, City Hall of Manila.
  2. ↑ Sheryll Mundo (May 2, 2008). "Doña Mary Ejercito celebrates 103rd birthday". ABS-CBN News Online. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
  3. 1 2 Brenda P. Tuazon (May 2, 2008). "Doña Mary celebrates 103rd birthday today". Manila Bulletin.
  4. ↑ Juan L. Mercado (November 16, 2006). "Truth on the Scaffold". Indepth Views. Visayan Daily Star. Archived from the original on June 11, 2007. Retrieved May 4, 2008.
  5. ↑ Anthony Spaeth (November 27, 2000). "Eye of the Storm". Time Magazine. Archived from the original on March 9, 2008. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
  6. 1 2 Jocelyn Uy (May 2, 2008). "Estrada's mother turns 103". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on May 2, 2008. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
  7. ↑ Jocelyn Uy (September 10, 2007). "Estrada sees 102-yr-old mother in hospital bed". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on February 22, 2008. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
  8. ↑ "Erap withdraws appeal, asks for presidential pardon - DOJ". GMA News. October 22, 2007. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
  9. 1 2 3 "Estrada's mother, Doña Mary Ejercito, passes away at 103". GMANews.TV. January 13, 2009. Archived from the original on August 12, 2009. Retrieved January 13, 2009.
  10. ↑ Thea Alberto & DJ Yap (December 12, 2008). "Estrada won't be at rally, mom falls ill". Archived from the original on December 14, 2008. Retrieved December 12, 2008.
  11. ↑ "Erap's 103-yr-old mom in hospital, is stable". GMANews.TV. December 11, 2008. Retrieved December 11, 2008.
  12. ↑ Marichu Villanueva & Jose Rodel Clapano (January 14, 2009). "Erap's Mom Passes Away at 103". Philippine Star. Retrieved January 14, 2009.
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