A religious group venerating the late Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos as a saint.
The “Cult of Marcos” is a phenomenon centered around the former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, characterized by an exaggerated, hero-worshipping adulation that spans both figurative and literal interpretations. Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled the Philippines from 1965 to 1986, developed a significant cult of personality, using state resources to propagate an idealized image of himself. This image was bolstered through manipulation of media, historical revisionism, and the creation of myths about his military exploits during World War II, many of which were later debunked by historical records. Despite his death in 1989, efforts to rehabilitate the Marcos family’s image have continued, with numerous commemorative sites across the Philippines, particularly in the Ilocos Region and National Capital Region, portraying Marcos as a heroic figure.
A more literal interpretation of a “cult” emerged in the northern province of Abra, where a group led by Rodolfo Cabusao venerates Marcos as a saintly figure. This group, mainly composed of impoverished peasants, stems from an earlier movement called the “Rizalian brotherhood” which worshipped Jose Rizal as the second coming of Christ. After Marcos’s death, Cabusao claimed to have received a divine revelation from Marcos himself, proclaiming him a disciple of God. This led to the establishment of the Cult of Marcos, where members gather in a thatch-roofed chapel, donning white cassocks and focusing their adoration on portraits of Marcos placed alongside traditional Christian icons. Notably, in their chapel, an image of the “Sacred Heart of Jesus” features the face of Ferdinand Marcos.
Members of this cult believe Marcos was wrongly accused of the crimes associated with his regime and see him as a fulfillment of prophecies promising love and prosperity to Filipinos. Their practices include a self-sustaining lifestyle in a mountain retreat where they grow food and sell orchids for income.
The reverence for Marcos in such a spiritual manner contrasts sharply with the broader historical view of his regime, which is widely criticized for corruption, human rights abuses, and authoritarian practices. The juxtaposition of these views highlights the complex legacy of Marcos in the Philippines and the varied perceptions among Filipinos.
The veneration of Marcos as a saint has also stirred controversy and concern within the Catholic Church in the Philippines. Church leaders, including Monsignor Hernando Coronel of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, have expressed disapproval, stating that comparisons between Marcos and Jesus are disrespectful. Divine Word Bishop Artemio Rillera of Bangued, where the cult is based, planned to investigate the group upon learning about it from media reports.
image via Rappler
