(MARCOS, Philippines) — Twenty-seven years after her dictator husband was ousted by a public revolt, Imelda Marcos has emerged as the Philippines' ultimate political survivor: She was back on the campaign trail this week, dazzling voters with her bouffant hairstyle, oversized jewelry and big talk in a bid to keep her seat in Congress. She is widely expected to win in Monday's congressional polls. Approaching 84, Ferdinand Marcos' widow, who once astounded the world with a mammoth shoe collection amassed amid nationwide poverty, is nearing the final chapter of her tumultuous political life. Never showing any remorse for her past, she has against all odds succeeded in orchestrating the rebirth of a political dynasty tainted by allegations of corruption and abuse during her husband's rule. "I'm running for re-election," the puffy-faced Marcos, clad in her trademark party gown, diamond and pearls, proclaimed before hundreds of villagers in Paoay town in northern Ilocos Norte province. (More: Ferdinand Marcos- Top 15 Toppled Dictators) Despite her reputation for extravagance, including expensive shopping trips and lavish beautification projects in a nation where a third of about 94 million live on $1 a day, Marcos twice ran unsuccessfully for president and won seats in the House following her return from exile. She is currently campaigning for a second of a maximum three terms to represent Ilocos Norte, a vote-rich agricultural region where many are fiercely loyal to the late dictator because of the money he poured into development. After lingering until midnight at the town fiesta, Marcos barnstormed farming villages the following morning in the sweltering summer heat, showing off several "mothering centers" she had built to provide health services and livelihood training to poor villagers. She cradled newborn babies before a tangle of photographers and cameramen in the centers, each displaying a painting of a young Imelda embracing a child at the entrance. "We care and love you all," reads a sign at the door. Although she said she still brimmed with energy, a crew of nurses trailed her to check her blood sugar levels.(http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=world.time.com&blog=19871253&post=85943&subd=timeglobalspin&ref=&feed=1)
Via: TIME GlobalSpin