MANILA, Philippines — The family of Francisco Malabed, the mortician to national leaders and stars, wants him to be remembered as a “great embalmer.”
Malabed’s daughter Kenneth Jill Francisco said people should not only remember his father as the mortician of the late president Ferdinand Marcos, but also someone who is respected in his field.
Malabed suffered a heart attack and died last Monday after a long battle with kidney ailment. He was 67.
Aside from Marcos, Malabed was also a mortician of the late senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and other famous personalities.
When asked if Malabed was affected that he was associated with the Marcoses, Francisco said his father always respected the family of the late strongman.
The Malabeds and Marcoses are both natives of Ilocos Norte.
Francisco said her father was strict, but a good provider.
Several politicians have visited Malabed’s wake at the Loyola Memorial Chapels in Makati. Members of the Marcos family have yet to visit as of Friday night.