By Art G. Valenzuela

THE photos in this album were taken by Marcial S. Valenzuela, a veteran Philippine photojournalist between 1927 and 1968 with The La Vanguardia, Philippine Free Press, The Manila Times, The Daily Mirror and Taliba. Valenzuela (a native born son of Mangatarem, Pangasinan) who was recipient of distinguished medals and awards during his time, was later given the honorary title of “Dean” by his peers with the National Press Club in recognition of his service to the cause of Philippine photojournalism that spanned 41 years (1927-1968), one of the longest on record in the Philippines. He covered “all” the presidents of the Philippines starting with the President Manuel L. Quezon in 1935 to President Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1965.

INTO THE CORRIDORS OF POWER (AND EDSA REVOLUTION LATER). President Ferdinand E. Marcos is shown as he ushers into the reception hall of Malacaňang Palace the members of his family, from left: First Lady Imelda R. Marcos, Imee, Bong Bong and Irene. Marcos presided over the affairs of government from December 30, 1964 until he was ousted in a coup d’état on February 25, 1986.

TROUBLE BREWING. President Diosdado Macapagal presides over a “political crisis meeting” in Malacaňang with wife Eva Macaraeg Macapagal to the president’s left (partly hidden). Other political luminaries in the photo are (from left and as far as I can recognize them): Senator Jose Diokno, Vice President Emmanuel Pelaez, Imelda R. Marcos (partly hidden at right) and Sen. Estanislao Fernandez (extreme right).

TOP POLITICIANS OF OLD. My late father did not write a caption at the back of this photo which he took on the floor of the Philippine Senate in the mid-1960s. One of the toughest but historical moments in the Senate back then was the election of Senator Ferdinand E. Marcos to the position of Senate president after he bolted the Liberal Party to join the Nacionalista Party and assured for himself a ticket to the presidency in 1965. From left in this photo are: Senators Arturo Tolentino (who was elected as vice president of Marcos in the snap election of 1986), Gerry Roxas (father of former senator Mar Roxas), Sergio Osmeňa and Gil Puyat. With her back to the camera is probably Sen. Maria Kalaw Katigbak.

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