Filipino Presidents

Ramon F. Magsaysay

(1907 – 1957; president 1953 – 1957); 
7th President of the Philippines

President of the Common Masses

“The only reward I desire for my service to our country is the trust given me by our countrymen.”

     Ramon helped his father in their foundry and this maybe the reason for his well-built physique. Ramon finished his elementary education at Castillejos and continue his studies at Zambales Academy in San Narciso, Zambales. The required four years of his secondary education was finished by Ramon in only three years.
Ramon went to Manila in 1927 and enrolled at the College of Engineering at the University of the Philippines. While studying, Ramon is working so that he will no longer rely on the money that came from his parents. He believed that he could take care of himself. But soon however, Ramon got sick. According to the doctor who examined him, he got contracted with tuberculosis and immediately returned home. He got enough rest and eats nutritious food that will boost his energy. When he returns to Manila for school, he realized that he did not pass. He forgot to inform the school that he needs enough rest for his illness. Ramon decided to take commerce as his course to pursue his studies instead of engineering. He enrolled at Jose Rizal College. While studying, he worked as a driver to the owner of the house he is staying. He graduated in 1930. Although Ramon finished commerce, he never forgot his passion on machineries. He became a good mechanic. When he finished his studies, he became the manager of a workshop of Try-Tran Company, a mass transport company. His wage is 80 pesos a month.
     During the war, Ramon joined the guerrilla movement and has the rank of captain. He became the eye of guerrillas. Magsaysay always reminds his comrades about the uncertainty of a successful campaign. He often said:
     “My brothers, you already know the cause of our power to bond like this. We are fighting now not only for our own freedom but also the freedom of our children and our children’s children.” As the leader of the troop, Magsaysay was loved and respected by his men. Because of his sincere and loyal service, his troop has become faithful to him as well. Once the Japanese offered the Filipino people 100,000 pesos to anyone who could lead them to locate Magsaysay, then he said “People can do nothing but to point me so they can obtain such money… but they never do it. I’d proven it before that if you want to be successful; you need the people to side with you.”
       Magsaysay left the movement in February, 1946. In the election of 1946, he became a representative of Zambales in Congress. He was reelected in 1949. On September 1, 1950, Magsaysay was appointed by President Quirino as secretary of the National Defense department. Magsaysay regained the trust of the people to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. His ability as a leader boost the morale of the men in uniform.
      On November 10, 1953, as a symbol of gratitude and worth given by his countrymen to him, Magsaysay was elected President of the Philippines. As president of the country, Malacañan, was opened to the public. For the first time, the general public can freely visit the palace.
      As president he once said: “My only standard of service to the government is austerity in spending, and honesty in service that is joined by honor of service to the nation. We need to bring to the people the real meaning of the word democracy…”
     At his visit in a wet market in Manila one time, President Magsaysay saddened by what he saw and said: “I had been a part of the struggles of the men and women who are present here today. I know that for them, to live is a never ending struggle to be comfortable from dawn till dusk. I understand the feeling they have in their heart and I feel the burden on their shoulders. Now that I am in position to help them, I will do my best to ease their burden… I have a strong faith that a man, no matter how small, has a right to feed his stomach and shelter his head.”
      President Magsaysay’s wife is Luz Banzon of Bataan who bore him three children namely Teresita, Milagros and Ramon. Ramon is a former representative and senator. It’s a great loss for every Filipino the early death of President Magsaysay. On his trip to Cebu, one of the poorest provinces in the country, the plane he is riding crashed at Mt. Manungal on March 17, 1957.
      The Ramon Magsaysay Award instituted in 1957 and often considered as Asia's Nobel Prize was named after him.

Major World Events During Magsaysay’s Administration

Vietnam. Truce ends eight years of warfare, 1954

Soviet Union. Stalin dies, 1953; first man-made earth satellites (Sputniks I and II) launched, 1957

Ramon Magsaysay Images

President Ramon Magsaysay, the President of Common Masses, who believes that "a citizen who has inadequacies in life should have bounty in the blessings of the law."


Picture taken of President Ramon Magsaysay having bestowed the title "Doctor of Laws in Humanities, Honoris Causa."

Ramon Magsaysay Images

Rare picture taken of the political rivals. Seen in photos with President Magsaysay are Senate President, Eulogio "Amang"Rodriguez, former President Laurel and Senator Claro M. Recto whie having fun.


One of the pictures taken while the President is talking with government officials.



The "Triangle of Nationalism": Senator Claro M. Recto, former President Laurel and President Ramon Magsaysay



President Magsaysay together with the two greater known fortress of democracy in the country: President Laurel and Senator Claro M. Recto.




The President and First Lady, Mrs. Luz Banzon Magsaysay in their dress native to the Philippines

Filipino Presidents

Elpidio R. Quirino

(1890 – 1956; president 1948 – 1953); 
6th President of the Philippines

President With A Golden Heart

“We should not be weak in facing the world. Instead, we should be formidable enough to stand up just, like any other country, ready to challenge, ready to make peace for the good of everybody. Because now, no one can really stand on its own. We should maintain a free republic so that we can declare to all that we are the ones who establish it and we make it for our own good. This is the real meaning of freedom.”


Elpidio Quirino, the President with a Golden Heart, was born on November 16, 1890, in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, at the room next to the office of Provincial Jail Guard because his father Mariano Quirino is the first Provincial Jail Guard of Ilocos Sur province. His mother is Gregoria Mendoza Rivera, of Agoo, La Union. Elpidio first learn the alphabet from his mother. He finished his elementary education at Aringay Public School. When his family transferred to Vigan, Elpidio continued his studies at Vigan High School. While studying, he taught at a school in a small village of Capariaan, that has a distance of 5 kilometers from Vigan. He gave to his mother his salary of 12 pesos. In 1908, Elpidio went to Manila. He studied at Manila High School. While studying, he worked at the Bureau of Lands with a wage of 30 pesos a month. Soon, he served at the office of the principal so he can have enough time for studying. Quirino also served as employee at the Manila Police Department with a wage of 150 pesos a month.

After passing the bar examination in 1915, he became an employee at the Philippine Commission. When the Philippine Senate was created in 1916, Quirino also served as a staff aide here. Here he was first noticed by Senator Manuel L. Quezon. Later, he was made personal secretary of President Quezon. Quirino learned a lot from his relationship with President Quezon. In 1918, Quirino went home to his province. He decided to join politics. On his first try, he already won as representative of Ilocos Sur at the Lower House. He became a senator in 1925 and reelected in 1941. When the Commonwealth government was formed, Quirino was appointed as Secretary of Finance by President Quezon. He was also appointed as Secretary of the Interior. Quirino took the oath of office as vice president of the Commonwealth on May 28, 1946. In the unexpected sudden death of President Manuel A. Roxas, Vice President Quirino assumed office on April 17, 1948. In the following year’s election, President Quirino has a sincere desire of uplifting the living, social and political condition. To restore peace among the most violent places in the country, he forgave the rebel group Huks. The leader of the Huk, Luis Taruc surrendered to him on June 21, 1948. However, Luis Taruc never give worth to their agreement with the President and instead, he strengthened the Huk movement.

Many people got angry with President Quirino in his forceful drive of cleansing the government. His political enemies presented with witnesses to impeach him from his office. However on April 19, 1949, he was acquitted to the said accusations. One speech of President Quirino stated the following:

“The self-desire or ambition is easily drowned if only we know how to have a little patience. For me, there is nothing I should boast of nor redeem… I am just poor. Don’t deprive me of my chance to retain my honor because my dignified and honorable name is the only thing I can inherit my children and countrymen.”

President Quirino's wife is Alicia Syquia and they have five children. President Quirino died on February 29, 1956.

Major World Events During Quirino’s Administration

Korea. United States troops engage in “police action,” 1950

England. King George VI dies, Elizabeth II queen, 1952

Nepal. Mount Everest climbed for the first time by Nepalese Sherpa Tensing Norgay and New Zealand native, Edmund Hillary, 1953

Trivia

Television was first introduced in the Philippines in 1953 under his administration. 

Elpidio R. Quirino Images

It has become an intense suffering of Vice President Quirino to the sudden passing of President Manuel Roxas.

President Elpidio R. Quirino portrait

The President Quirino in a conversation with General Carlos P. Romulo, the Philippines ambassador to the United Nations in the United States.

President Quirino together with President Franco of Spain.

Elpidio R. Quirino Images

Together with President Quirino Cardinal Spellman and Governor Dewey of New York.

The President Quirino with his Vice-President Fernando Lopez. Together they solve public problems.

President Quirino is dancing with his daugther, Vicky.

President Quirino is actively participating in some charitable movements and activities. This picture was taken after he offered the Philippine Tuberculosis Society his contribution. He also called for people to participate in the movement like this.

In the picture is President Quirino while talking with General Chiang-Kai-Shek of China.

Filipino Presidents

Manuel A. Roxas

(1892 -1948; president 1946-1948); 
5th President of the Philippines

Defender of Freedom

“The greatest politics now in our country, and in other times, is service to the people, gives justice to every citizen, do your share not only to strengthen and fortify our nation but also to bring joy to every individual in their respective homes and give them freedom to plow their own soil.”


         Manuel A. Roxas was born on January 1, 1892 in Pan-ay, province of Capiz. His parents were Gerardo Roxas and Rosario Acuña. His father died eight months before Manuel saw the light. Rafael Lozada became his first teacher. After studying at Lozada’s school, Manuel secretly rode the ship to Manila with only eleven pesos in his pocket. Unfortunately, he was discovered by his grandfather before the ship set sail. He confessed to his understanding grandfather Eleuterio that he just wants to pursue his studies the reason why he planned to leave without asking permission.
         At the age of 12, Manuel enrolled at St. Joseph’s Academy in Manila, however he returned to Capiz soon thereafter. He became homesick so he decided to just study in Capiz. When returned to Manila, he studied at Manila High School. In 1909, he finished with the highest honors. He still finished first in the College of Law of the University of the Philippines. He also passed the bar examination that year.
         When his grandfather died, Manuel was forced to return home to his province. Later, he became a councilor of a municipality in Capiz. He was elected governor of Capiz in 1916 at the age of 24. He became a representative in the Congress in 1922. On December, 1931 along with Senator Osmeña, Roxas went to the United States to walk the enactment of legislation in Hare-Hawes Cutting Law. According to the law, the Philippines will be given freedom at the right time. The law was signed at the United States Congress. Unfortunately the said law was not approved by the Philippine Senate. Later it was followed by signing into law at the United States Congress the Tydings-McDuffie Law.
          Roxas was again elected representative of Capiz in 1934. He is also a delegate to the 1935 Constitutional Convention. Roxas has a major role in making the constitution of the nation. When the Commonwealth government was established, Roxas helped wholeheartedly and cooperate with the Quezon administration. In 1939, Roxas was appointed as Finance Secretary by President Quezon. He is one of the most trusted advisers of the president.
          During the war, Roxas has the rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East). He became the adjutant of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. When the Commonwealth government was evacuated, Roxas refused the invitation of President Quezon. He chose to stay to boost the morale of our soldiers. Roxas was captured by the enemies in the mountains of Mindanao. When the Japanese realized that they capture Roxas, they set him free and seek his help of reaching out to the Filipinos. To keep his secret as a guerilla, Roxas accepted the position of president of the Economic Planning Board of President Laurel.
          After the American landing on Lingayen Gulf in Pangasinan, Roxas and President Laurel both climbed together to Baguio City upon order of the Japanese. Roxas has been successful in evading and escaping the Japanese when he joined the troop of freedom on April 15, 1945.
          On June 9, 1945, Roxas took office as Senate President. On April 23, 1946, he was elected President of the Philippine Commonwealth. He is the last Commonwealth president and the First President of the Third Republic.
          Manuel Roxas other half is Trinidad de Leon, daughter of former senator Ceferino de Leon. Their only child, Gerardo, is a former senator. Grandson Mar Roxas III is a foremer senator and former Department of Trade and Industry secretary under the Arroyo administration.

         President Roxas died of a heart attack while having a speech at Clark Field, Pampanga on April 15, 1948.

Major World Events During Roxas’ Administration

Germany. Berlin airlift emphasizes Cold War, 1948

India. Gandhi assassinated, 1948

United Kingdom. London Olympics. First gold medal for the Philippines won by Victoria Manalo in diving, 1948