First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos: ‘There is so much noise going around—I’d rather not add to the cacophony!’

“She is down-to-earth and charismatic,” Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng states, after spending a whole day with the First Lady’s Lab for All project.

“Our First Lady is a very hardworking, organized, intelligent, and efficient person. She always feels what you feel. She finds a way to connect with people’s emotions with grace and compassion,” says work-oriented businesswoman Alice Eduardo.

“Liza is very grounded and sincere. No airs. What you see is what you get,” observes Iloilo family friend Atty. Joe Mari Treñas.

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But perhaps the most intimate observation about LAM (as she is fondly called) comes from people who see her closely at work. 

Atty. Franco Lacandalo, who oversees the Lab for All health caravan project in the urban as well as rural areas, says we might see the First Lady as a cold woman of steel, but the truth is, “She is iyakin… LAM gets teary-eyed when she is touched as she sees people in the rural areas happy while receiving medical treatment, health packs, and relief goods.”

And what makes the First Lady upset? “When she sees people, especially old folks, lining up under the sun,” narrates Atty. Lacandalo. “She would tell me and my team: ‘Bakit natin sila pinahihirapan?’”

And here’s a candid observation. Veteran journalist Tony Lopez says, “Liza does not really look for publicity. She’s not a publicity hound.”

So true. When I asked her to answer some questions about herself (she answered only half of the Qs, disregarding those about herself and the current political turmoil), she smiled: “You should know me by now. I am really shy when talking about myself.”

Yes, as a journalist, I have been covering her cultural programs, inspecting her history and heritage projects, attending her sports launches, looking at her Intramuros and Pasig River transformations, watching her Goldenberg concerts, and noting her support for artists and artisans. I was amazed that despite her busy schedule, Atty. Liza Marcos still finds time to teach law students in public universities. 

On her Instagram page, LAM recently wrote: “While some may choose theatrics, I’d rather focus on teaching future lawyers how the law truly works—where truth is the standard and proof is the language we live by.”

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And I see her as a people-person with passion and compassion. During events, she table-hops and talks to everyone regardless of stature. She will oblige you with photo ops, but when she sees you fumbling with your cellphone, she will take the selfie with you herself. Contrary to the “snobbish” perception of people who have yet to meet her in person, LAM really has a warm persona.

In the book Philippine First Ladies’ Portraits, Spanish journalist and long-time Philippine resident Jose “Pepe” Rodriguez writes: “Louise Araneta was the fifth of eight children in a distinguished clan rooted in Iloilo, Negros Occidental, and Manila. Her father, Manuel Araneta Jr., was a sportsman and businessman; her mother. Milagros Cacho, a well-regarded member of Manila’s elite. Yet Liza grew up valuing independence over pedigree. She studied law at the Ateneo University and later post-graduate studies in Criminal Procedure at New York University, where fate—or perhaps history—would catch up with her.”

Liza and Bongbong Marcos met in New York, where she was a feisty lawyer. In the book, Rodriguez narrates that their early interactions were, by both accounts, anything but romantic.

“She was a siga,” Bongbong recalled with amusement—a tough-talking woman who didn’t mince words. Yet somewhere between their intellectual sparring and personal candor, affection bloomed. “She’s straight to the point,” Bongbong said in a 2022 interview. “It’s rare to find someone you can talk to about anything.”

Rodriguez adds: “While her husband resumed political life, Liza balanced motherhood, academia, and civic work with meticulous care. She is witty, sharp-tongued, and self-aware, described at turns as mataray (snarky) and mayabang (proud)—but always grounded in her own sensibility.”

He says not all of Liza’s work has been easy. In 2025, political divisions began to appear among their allies. Liza became the target of online attacks (and fake news). Her response was firm and clear: “Bring it on, I’ll never stoop to their level.”

Not especially now.

PHILIPPINE STAR: You are the first Philippine First Lady who is a lawyer by profession. Why did you choose to be a lawyer?

LIZA ARANETA-MARCOS: I had to follow my mom’s rule: So long as we lived under their roof, we could never be idle. We either studied or worked. Being a bum or feeling entitled was not an option.

So after I got my college degree from Ateneo, I still wasn’t sure what to do with my life. I didn’t feel like working then, so I decided to continue studying again.

What did you learn from your parents?

From my mom—Never be idle. From my dad—Never feel entitled. My dad was such a cool guy.

What did you like best about Bongbong Marcos?

He was such a kind person. Really.

Remember, I was on the other side of the political fence and so I was used to hearing all those horror stories about him and his family. Then when I met him—it was like: “Wow, iba ka pala!” Bong is one of the kindest persons I know. We’ve been married for 30 years and I don’t think I’ve ever heard him curse, scream or be mean to people. It’s just not in his DNA.

What do people not know about President BBM?

That he’s kind and that he really cares for our country. I remember once when he came home from Malacañang—it was his first week as president—he told me: “Ano ba naman itong pinasukan natin? Walang koryente…walang tubig… walang kanin.” I laughed and told him: “Eh why pa kasi did you run for president?” The poor guy inherited so many problems and I suppose that’s why he has white hair now. (Laughs)

 What makes you cry?

Everything. I cry when I watch a Hallmark card ad. I cry whenever a movie has a happy ending. Basta I’m iyakin at heart.

What’s a typical day for you?

I usually wake up around 8 or 9. Then for the next hour or so, I walk in the grass—it’s called grounding—then I do yoga. That’s my “alone” time. After that, I am ready to face the world.

You have three well-bred sons. What are your rules as a mom?

I always tell my kids to be respectful. They should never be bastos. When they enter a room, they should make sure they greet the oldest woman in the room and then make the rounds until everyone is greeted.

What are the joys and sorrows of being a First Lady?

Joys? It feels good whenever you’re able to help people in a significant way. Siguro that’s what my eight years in Ateneo taught me. You know naman the Jesuits and their “Man for Others” mantra.

Sorrows? Being in the public eye. I’m counting the days until we can lead a normal life again. Being in the limelight has never been my thing. I’ve always been a private person. My siblings and I grew up that way.

Since you’d rather not elaborate on what is going on right now, just say a sentence or two that summarize your feelings.

There’s so much noise going around—I’d rather not add to the cacophony! 

I’ll never forget what our history professor would always tell us: “At the end of the day, truth is the only story that survives.”

Portraits of First Ladies by Lulu Coching-Rodriguez