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It's the lead-up to the 1965 Philippine presidential elections. On one side, we have President Diosdado Macapagal of the Liberal Party. Gunning for his second term, Macapagal had previously run his first campaign on economic and land reforms. The "poor boy from Lubao" would do just that during his term, creating the first land reform law and placing the peso on the free currency exchange market. Macapagal also vowed to end corruption (Stonehill Controversy, withstanding).
Now, against a "dominant and uncooperative opposition" in Congress, he vows to continue his reforms.
Standing in his way is Senate President Ferdinand Marcos, who formerly served as Vice President of the Liberal Party. He switched to party rival Nacionalista after Macapagal's nomination. A populist, Marcos labels himself as a decorated war hero (His medals would be proven phony later) and a veteran politician who knows that "this nation can be great again" (his literal campaign slogan).
During the campaign, we get a glimpse of a supposed Marcos presidency. There would be peace and order and an emphasis on consumer goods. Reports of graft and corruption during the Macapagal administration's would be a thing of the past, so the incumbent says.
Marcos ended up defeating Macapagal in the November elections of 1965. He would become a dictator not too soon after.
During the campaign trail, however, Marcos couldn't always be as present as he wanted to be. So in some of those events, he relied on the services of a double. Who was the Ferdie look-alike? He was a Negros native that went by the name of Jesus Quevenco.
The resemblance was uncanny. He had met Marcos through a mutual friend, Silay Mayor and fellow Nacionalista Romulo Golez, during a house party around the time when Marcos announced his presidential bid. At the home, Nacionalista delegates kept shaking Quevenco's hand, thinking he was the real deal. This was when he became Marcos' "brod."
Quevenco poses with Marcos Sr. Can you tell which is which?
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Quevenco claimed: “The first time we met, we just looked at each other... Marcos said, ‘You are a dead ringer for me.’”
Quevenco would later fill in for Marcos on three separate occasions.
The first instance was in December 1964. That was when he accompanied Mrs. Imelda Marcos in Murcia, Negros Occidental.
His services were called upon again by Negros political kingpin Armin Gustilo. This time, it was for a speaking engagement in Cadiz. The real Marcos had some important business in San Carlos City and couldn't attend.
On another occasion, Quevenco was asked to meet the then-candidate at Bacolod airport. Marcos was pretty tired from all the campaign appearances and now on his way to Victorias, he wanted to get some shuteye during the ride (so he could be fresh, of course).
Quevenco found himself sitting beside a sleeping Marcos in the car. He waved to the crowd and the usual roars were heard.
He was actually offered a position in the government via a telegram in 1965. The Marcos double turned it down. He had, after all, his own insurance business in Negros. His wife, Thelma, on the other hand, couldn't refuse when a job was offered to her by First Lady Imelda Marcos. Thelma, who was a teacher, accepted. The job was at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). They even received a note that said, “I hereby direct the appointment of Thelma Quevenco to the GSIS.”
Thelma Quevenco eventually became the operations manager of the Ministry of Human Settlements in Western Visayas.
When Quevenco was asked what were some of the best parts of those days, he fondly recalled getting a table at some of the best restaurants around. He also thoughtfully remembered being the First Lady's date. The double also claimed that he would have supporters and loyalists come up to him a few times to say hello. Not too bad.
Later on, as the country descended into dictatorial rule and the disillusionment of Marcos mythology started to unravel, Quevenco experienced the people's anger, too. He even got chased by various mobs in some cases. This would force him and his wife to move back to the islands, never to return to the city again.
The fake Marcos ended up outliving the real one by 25 years. Quevenco passed away in a Bacolod hospital in 2014 at the age of 90.
Sources:
- Lesser Known Filipino History
- Marcos Double Outlives Original
- Marcos Look-Alike Played Role to Hilt, Even Escorting Imelda
- 24Oras: Pumanaw na double ni dating Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, inilibing na
