Ferdinand Edralin Marcos was born in Sarat, Ilocos Norte, on September 11, 1917. His father, Don Mariano Marcos was a lawyer and his mother, Doña Josefa was a school teacher.

It has been said that his mother named him Ferdinand because, like the Spanish explorer Ferdinand Magellan,
she wanted him to travel around the world.

1989 Letter addressed to Makati, postmarked
MARCOS, ILOCOS NORTE, town named after Mariano Marcos,
the father of Fedinand.
Marcos followed the footsteps of his father, studying law at the University of the Philippines. 
He was without par by topping the 1935 Bar Exams with the highest achieved score of 92%.

University of the Philippines Golden Jubilee issue of June 8, 1958.
Engraved by the Government Printing Bureau, Japan.
During the war, it was said that GREGORIO AGLIPAY made an incision in young Ferdinand's back with his bare hands to insert an anting-anting (amulet) to protect him during the Battle of Bataan.

Iglesia Filipina Independiente
(Aglipayan Church) Diamond Jubilee issue of October 1, 1977

Japanese Occupation
First Anniversary Fall of Bataan
and Corregidor issue of May 7, 1943.

Macagapal photo used in the 
King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit 
state visit issue of June 12, 1965.
 After the war, Marcos entered politics by joining the Liberal Party and was elected Congressman of Ilocos Norte. Slowly he rose from the ranks and in 1959 became Senate President. In 1961 de declined to run against party mate Diosdado Macapagal. However in 1964, he bolted the Liberal Party and joined the Nacionalista Party to run against Macapagal in the 1966 presidential elections.