Michael Marcos Keon
| Michael Marcos Keon | |
|---|---|
| Governor of Ilocos Norte | |
|
In office 2007–2010 | |
| Succeeded by | Imee Marcos |
| Personal details | |
| Parents |
Michael Keon Sr. Elizabeth Marcos-Keon |
| Known for |
First Executive Director of Project Gintong Alay (1979–1986) |
Michael Edward Marcos Keon (born September 22, 1954) is a Filipino politician. Keon is the son of Australian journalist Michael Keon and Elizabeth Marcos-Keon, governor of Ilocos Norte from 1971 to 1983 and the nephew of former president Ferdinand Marcos.
His mother, Elizabeth E. Marcos, was the sister of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos and was the first lady vice-governor and lady-governor of Ilocos Norte. His Australian father, Michael James Keon, was a man of remarkable intellect who worked for the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization and had a hand in setting up the International Rice Research Institute in Los Baños, Laguna. Michael James Keon joined the historic 10,000-km. "Long March" with Mao Zedong during the Chinese Revolution, covering the monumental event for the Chicago Daily Tribune. He was at one time the editor of the Rome Daily American, which was the largest English newspaper in the post-war era in Italy. Unknown to many, Gov. Keon's father was "a personal friend" of Mao Zedong and Lin Biao who rose to prominence during the Cultural Revolution.
Gov. Keon is best known as the head of Project: Gintong Alay, which made an initial impact on the public consciousness at the 1981 Southeast Asian Games in Manila. Through his stewardship, the Philippines advanced from the original Asean level to the expanded SEA Games level and on to the Asian Games level. In those years, so much was achieved with the not so generous Gintong Alay budget because of the integrity that marked the manner in which the funds were spent and the hands-on control and concern that Gov. Keon showed for the athletes.
The initial entry of Gov. Keon to the provincial government happened when, as a sports consultant of his cousin, Gov. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., he put into place a strategic sports development program for the province that resulted in one of the greatest sports accomplishments Ilocos Norte has ever achieved - emerging overall champion for nine consecutive years in the Ilocos Region Athletic Association Meet (IRAA). Through his guidance, young athletes from the province made their mark in the regional and national competitions.
Gov. Keon's reputation in sports propelled him to a seat in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Ilocos Norte in 2004 and he became governor of the province when he won in the 2007 local election.
Agriculture, education, health and tourism are the centerpiece of Gov. Keon's governance. An accomplished sportsman, he rehabilitated the Ferdinand E. Marcos Stadium by improving its facilities especially the construction of a rubberized track in 2008, a major accomplishment that greatly enhanced the province's sport infrastructure which complemented the sports tourism program of Ilocos Norte. Gov. Keon is the first to promote sports tourism of the province noting that the province has natural environment for surfing, snorkeling, mountain climbing and hiking.
Before entering politics he worked in the sports sector. During the reign of Marcos, he was director of the Gintong Alay program. This project went on October 31, 1979 was launched and was intended to ensure the success of Philippine sports to promote and ultimately to achieve gold medals in international events.[1]
References
- ↑ Michael Keon: From sports to politics, Manila Standard Today, May 19, 2007.