Ninth of a series

THE Iron Butterfly's successful visit with ailing Chinese despot Mao Zedong in 1974 undoubtedly convinced dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. that he could continue to use his wife for vital political purposes in the domestic and international arenas. To be sure, Mrs. Marcos was not skilled in formal international diplomacy. However, her Iron Butterfly techniques — i.e., 'exaggerated expressions of femininity' — produced undeniable results in certain specific circumstances, especially in charming macho world leaders.