President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. opened up about his personal history in a recent episode of the BBM Podcast, stressing that he has never wished for a life outside the family he was born into. When asked if he had ever imagined growing up with a different background, he replied without hesitation: “Absolutely not.”
Marcos framed his answer around a deep sense of gratitude for the life he has lived. He described himself as extraordinarily fortunate, saying, “I still consider – parang ang tingin ko sa sarili ko, ako na ang pinakasuwerteng tao na kilala ko.” He went on to explain that his sense of luck stems from everything he experienced growing up, adding, “Wala na akong kilala na tao na masuwerte pa sa akin dahil ganyan ang naging ama ko, ganyan ang naging mother ko, ganyan ang naging experience ko.”
As he reflected on lessons shaped by his upbringing, Marcos noted that even difficult moments had value. “Kasi lahat naman ng experience kahit hindi ka nage-enjoy, may natututunan ka eh, ‘di ba?” he said, pointing to how challenges within the family helped define his outlook.
The President also revisited a lesser-known chapter of his youth — a time when he had no desire to follow the political path that eventually became his career. Despite growing up around public service, he recalled resisting the idea after seeing how demanding it was for his parents, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and former First Lady Imelda Marcos. “Sabi ko, nakita ko ‘yung magulang ko, ang hirap ng buhay nila, ang daming sakripisyo. Sabi ko, ayaw ko na – ‘yung tahimik lang na buhay. That’s why I went to business school,” he said.
Marcos eventually entered public office, serving as governor, congressman, and senator before winning the presidency. Looking back, he said the shift was unexpected but meaningful, noting that his journey unfolded differently from the plans he once had. “Pero hindi ganyan ang buhay, hindi mo ma-predict. Kaya dito ako napunta. Not that I regret anything of it. I do not regret one day,” he said.
