I investigated the crimes of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos — and loved ‘Here Lies Love’

Author Lewis M. Simons shares his experiences investigating the crimes of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, the former ruling couple of the Philippines, in contrast with his reaction to a Broadway show depicting their lives.

Background: Simons is the author of multiple books including “Worth Dying For,” which tells the story of the Philippines’ Marcos regime overthrow.
* His investigative journalism work led to the exposure of the Marcoses’ hidden wealth and the subsequent public outrage.
* Despite personally condemning the Marcoses for their corruption and human rights crimes, Simons admitted to enjoy watching the Broadway show about their lives.

The Broadway Show: “Here Lies Love” is a tragicomic rock musical by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim about the Marcoses.
* Simons attended a sold-out matinee and described the audience as Filipinos who had lived through the Marcoses’ dictatorship as well as young people unaware of their history.
* He says that despite his pre-existing views on the Marcoses, he found the show to be emotionally compelling and engaging.

Marcoses in Power: Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos ruled the Philippines for 21 years.
* Their regime was marked by corruption, theft, and human rights abuses; it’s estimated that they stole between $10 billion to $30 billion, of which only $3.6 billion has been recouped.
* Their reign ended with the peaceful People Power Revolution of 1986, which was influenced in part by Simons’ exposure of their crimes.

Legacy and Psychological Insight: Despite their corrupt rule, the Marcoses continue to significantly influence Philippine society.
* Their son, Ferdinand Jr., known as “Bongbong,” won the presidential election in 2022 with nearly 59% of the vote – the largest margin since his father’s 1981 victory.
* Simons speculates that the Marcoses’ enduring popularity among Filipinos stems from their charisma and presentation, a characteristic emphasized in the Broadway show, “Here Lies Love.”
View original article on NPR
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