The Philippines is a terrible name, coming from Spain. Phillip II was the father of the inquisition, who I believe died of syphilis. It is my great regret that we didn't change the name of our country.

Filipinos don't wallow in what is miserable and ugly. They recycle the bad into things of beauty.

My husband does not like me to give interviews because I say too much. No talk, no trouble.

What's wrong with shoes? I collected them because it was like a symbol of thanksgiving and love?

Ferdinand was a gold trader. He was a lawyer for mining companies. When he entered politics in l949, he had tons and tons of gold. When Bill Gates was a college dropout, Ferdinand already possessed billions of dollars and tons of gold. It wasn't stolen.

Life is not a matter of place, things or comfort; rather, it concerns the basic human rights of family, country, justice and human dignity.

I'm like Robin Hood. I rob the rich to make these projects come alive... not really rob. It's done with a smile.