Bongbong endured bullying, hunger while studying in UK, comic book says

Bongbong Marcos, the son and namesake of the late former president, was once bullied and had been called a "monkey" while studying in a foreign land in his teens.

This snippet in the life the senator who is now running for vice president was among those featured in a comic book which is among the campaign paraphernalia being distributed by his camp to woo voters to Marcos' bid in the May elections.

The comic book titled "Asikasong Bongbong Tuloy Tuloy!" was released in late 2015. 

It depicted him as a smart and talented young boy who had his own quirks. 

Marcos Jr. was sent to England where he lived and studied at Worth School an all-boys Benedictine institution in the early 70s. 

According to the comic book's storyline, despite getting bullied in school and the hardships of living in a foreign land, Marcos managed to excel in class and showed his wits. 

A page also focused on his "Cinderella story" while studying in the United Kingdom. 

"Kahit abutin ng gutom... Natutunan niyang tumayo sa sariling mga paa," the panels said showing Bongbong hungry and fending for himself.

"Dapat maging matatag. Kailangang matutunan kong asikasuhin ang sarili ko para matuto sa buhay," he was quoted saying. 

The comics showed him overcoming his struggles to be the victor in the end. 

"Tinangay sila ng mga Kano patungong Hawaii kahit anong pilit nila na manatili at umuwi na lang ng Ilocos. Paglapag palang ay ramdam na nila ang tensyon," the comic book narrated

With all these, Marcos Jr. was defiant to the orders of the Americans, it said. 

"Lahat ng panlilinlang at kasinungalingan ay ginawa nang (sic) mga sundalong Amerikano, para takutin ang pamilya Marcos. Walang nagawa si Bongbong kundi maluha na lang," it said. 

In the booklet, it said that despite the struggles the family went through, it was their supporters that gave the Marcoses hope. 

"Kung ano-anong pagbibintang na ang pinaratang sa pamilya nila na halos ay panghinaan na niyang loob... Ngunit may mga kababayang hindi nakalimot at nag-abot ng tulong sa panahon ng dilema," the panels said. 

"Natauhan si Bongbong at pinangakong pagbalik niya ay itutuloy ang pag-aasikaso at paglingkod sa bayan," the booklet also wrote. 

He returned to the Philippines to a warm welcome by his supporters, the comic book said. 

The next pages showed the rise of his political career until he became a senator. 

"Nagpasya akong lakbayin ang makipot at matinik na landas upang abutin at ihandog sa inyo ang katuparan ng pangarap ng lahat," Marcos' comic book character said.  — APG, GMA News