Listen "Mythos and Melodrama in the Philippines (Throwback)"
Episode Synopsis
Welcome to the "Epic of Marcos." In this tale of a family that's larger than life, Ferdinand Marcos, the former dictator of the Philippines, is at the center. But the figures that surround him are just as important: Imelda, his wife and muse; Bongbong, his heir; and the United States, his faithful sidekick. The story of the Marcos family is a blueprint for authoritarianism, laying out clearly how melodrama, paranoia, love, betrayal and a hunger for power collide to create a myth capable of propelling a nation. Today on the show, the rise, fall, and resurrection of a dynasty — and what that means for democracy worldwide.To access bonus episodes and listen to Throughline sponsor-free, subscribe to Throughline+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/throughline.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
More episodes of the podcast Throughline
Throughline Dances
29/10/2025
The Internet Under the Sea
23/10/2025
The Rise of the Right Wing in Israel
16/10/2025
A History of Hamas
09/10/2025
From the Frontlines
02/10/2025
Throughline Sleeps
30/09/2025
The Anti-Vaccine Movement
25/09/2025
The Business of Migrant Detention
18/09/2025
Line. Fence. Wall.
11/09/2025
ICE
04/09/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.