Imelda versus Evita

From its February 23, 1981 release and all throughout the Marcos regime, the television series Evita Peron (which starred Faye Dunaway), was allegedly banned in the Philippines because Evita's circumstance is apparently similar to that of Imelda Marcos. De verdad?!

Too similar, they say, that it would be scandalous. O es el?

Eva Peron was born about 10 years ahead of Imelda Marcos. Both were born to relatively poor families in provinces far from the capital (Buenos Aires, Argentina and Manila, Philippines).But while Eva Peron was born out of wedlock (illegitimate), Imelda Marcos was the first-born of Vicente and Remedios Romualdez.

If at all true, Eva went to Buenos Aires with the then popular tango singer Agustin Magaldi with whom she was said to have carried an amorous affair. Imelda Marcos, on the other hand, was sent to Manila because her father wanted to take her away from the province because she was being courted by many barrio gentlemen.

Although both Eva and Imelda tried to stake a claim to popularity, their strategies had notable differences. Eva auditioned to be a movie actress, a singer then later on became a radio emcee. Imelda joined a beauty pageant and was then supposed to be made into a movie star.

While Imelda worked as a store clerk and secretary; Eva "worked" on her own, allegedly earning a living as a high-profile escort.

Imelda married Ferdinand Marcos, a Congressman. Eva married Juan Domingo Peron, an army colonel.

Upon her death in July 26, 1952, Argentina went into a mourning frenzy. Their madre de todo contigo was apparently so well-loved that Argentina suspended government office and businesses for days, flower shops ran out of flowers and a number of people died and suffered injuries trying to get a glimpse of Eva's remains. Argentines went as far as proposing that their spiritual leader be canonized as "Sta. Evita".

This is something which I think our own Imelda Marcos would never be feted with upon her demise.