Filipino Presidents

Diosdado P. Macapagal

(1910 – 1997; president 1961-1965); 
9th President of the Philippines

Poor Boy From Lubao

“If a president solely rely his leadership on the desire to be reelected, he is just a common politician who desires nothing but self progress that may lead the nation to damnation.”


       Diosdado P. Macapagal was born in a nipa hut in the village of San Nicolas in the town of Lubao in Pampanga on September 28, 1910. His parents were Urbano Macapagal and Romana Pangan. It was said that the Macapagal clan were one of the poorest and deprived families in the province of Pampanga. “I remember when I was a child,” Diosdado once reminisced, “I have no playmates. I am alone playing in the rugged street of our village. My clothes were torn and worn out. I never dare to come near the high fence of the big houses.
       Dado, as he is fondly called, went to school in Lubao Elementary School barefooted. He finished with the highest honor in that school in 1925. He almost missed their graduation. He has no shoes or dress to wear. Thanks to a generous and philanthropic neighbor, Don Valentin Arrastia, Dado was able to buy new white dress and pants. He also bought a pair of shoes. He continued his studies at San Fernando, Pampang, 40 kilometers away from Lubao. His mother worked as a cashier to add income to the family. Dado, on the other hand, helped in feeding the pigs that were raised by her mother. In 1929, Dado finished fourth in their class.
       Dado worked as an employee in the Bureau of Lands in 1930. He studied at night at the University of the Philippines. In 1933, it was found out in the university clinic that Dado has a weak body. He was advised to go home and rest first. While at rest recuperating, Dado wrote and created plays and operetta that were popular at the time. He wrote it in Tagalog language and Kapampangan. His small savings in writing were spent for his return to pursue his studies in Manila. He enrolled at the Philippine Law School. For the second time, Dado was forced to stop his studies for reason that they don’t have money to spend for his schooling. He was fortunate again when a wealthy Kapampangan, Don Honorio Ventura offered help. He spent money for the schooling of Dado at the University of Santo Tomas. He obtained the highest grade at the bar examination of 1936. He became a brilliant lawyer in 1947.
       While excelling at law, Dado served as associate lawyer in the law firm of Ross, Lawrence and Selph in Manila. During the Japanese occupation, Dado did not suffer little difficulties. However when peace returns, he created his own law firm together with Punsalan and Yabut. In 1948, he started making connection with President Elpidio Quirino. He was appointed by President Quirino to help manage the government claim over Turtle Islands.
        He started working in the government in 1949 when he was elected as congressman and was reelected in 1953. He was elected as Vice President of the Philippines in 1957. After four years, Macapagal became the president of our country.
        Becoming a president, Macapagal has a strong belief that “one of the more undesirable in the present democracy in the Philippines is the excessive desire of a sitting President to do everything to ensure reelection. No one among them who served who doesn’t possess such desire. No one ever think about the future of the nation only. The usual and only desire is his selfish place in history.” Because of this opinion, Macapagal made promise and explicitly declare his refusal to seek reelection. In a speech in the airwaves he said the following: “It was strengthened by our experience, that a President, after being elected and took office, is even more thinking of how he can be reelected than how he can improve his service to the nation. It is mandated by the people’s welfare that an individual voted to the highest position bestowed by the voting citizen should spend all his time in uplifting the condition of the nation. However, if it was forced that a President can only be elected once, he has no other wants but to leave a legacy to his country with an incomparable service to its countrymen by the ability bestowed upon him by God.”
        However through the years, President Macapagal might have thought that four years isn’t enough to finish all his plans for the country most especially his Five Year Socio-Economic Program. Supposedly, due to his worry that he cannot fulfill his promise to the country, he changed his mind. He again runs for presidency. Maybe because due to his failure of keeping his promise, instead of being reelected in 1965, he was easily defeated by his toughest opponent, Ferdinand E. Marcos.
        President Macapagal first wife is Purita de la Rosa. When his first wife died, he married again. His companions when he stepped on the Malacañan Palace is his second wife, Evangelina Macaraeg and their four children named Arturo, Maria, Cielo, Gloria and Diosdado. Gloria went on to follow her father footsteps and became the 14th President of the Philippines becoming the first father – daughter tandem to be elected to the highest position of the land. President Diosdado Macapagal died on April 21, 1997.

Major World Events During Macapagal’s Administration

France, Algeria end seven-year-old conflict, Nigeria wins independence, 1962

Cuba. War between United States & Soviet Union narrowly averted during Cuban missile crisis, 1962

Southeast Asia. Communists win much of Laos. United States increases military aid to South Vietnam , 1962

Republic of Congo United Nations troops end secession of Katanga Province, 1963

Vietnam North Vietnam attacks United States ships in the Gulf of Tonkin, 1964

Dominican Republic. The United States sends in Marines to protect lives during revolt, 1965

Diosdado P. Macapagal Images

The facial and hand gestures of President Macapagal signifies victory

President Macapagal while discussing some national issues.

Diosdado P. Macapagal Images

Picture taken of President Macapagal on a conference with the Metropolitan city mayors. Beside him on his right is Manila mayor, Antonio J. Villegas

In the picture is President Macapagal and Senate President Ferdinand E. Marcos before they separate ways and became opponents in the presidential race.

President Macapagal is pleased in shaking hands to an old woman he met in Cagayan.

President Macapagal kissing wife on her face.

In the picture of the First Family were Gloria, First Lady Eva Macapagal, the President, Arturo and Diosdado, Jr.

Filipino Presidents

Carlos P. Garcia

(1896 - 1971 ; president 1957-1959); 
8th President of the Philippines

Exemplary Politician

“A nation does not live on physical strength alone, and it will bring no good for a nation if in strengthening the living conditions of the people will endanger the spiritual condition.”

      Carlos P. Garcia was born in a small town of Talibon, Bohol on November 4, 1896. His parents, both native of Talibon, were Policronio Garcia and Ambrosia Polistico. At an early age, Carlos has shown an unusual leadership skill. He is always at the top of his class from elementary until he finished law at the Philippine Law School. Carlos studied at Talibon Elementary School and pursued his secondary education in Cebu. He started studying law at Silliman University in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental and continued it in Manila. He is one of the top ten passers of the civil service examination in 1923. At the College of Law, Carlos has the privilege of studying for free under the Malcolm Scholarship. Carlos was considered as “Prince of Cebuano Poets.”

     Garcia started government service as a teacher in a public school. After two and a half year, he joined politics. He was elected as representative in Congress of the third district of Bohol for six years. To grant the favor of his fellow Boholanos, he ran for governor and won. He remained as governor of Bohol for 9 years. Garcia became senator from 1941 until 1953 except for the years when the Philippines was under the Japanese. As senator, Garcia is one of the exceptional lawmaker from 1949 to 1953 service without a gap. He became the vice presidential candidate of the Nacionalista party from 1947 to 1953.

     At the end of his term as a senator, Garcia was elected Vice President of the Philippines. He was also appointed by President Magsaysay as Secretary of Foreign Affairs department. After the sudden death of President Magsaysay, Vice President Garcia took the oath of office as President of the Philippines. In the presidential election of 1957, Garcia won and continue enjoying the presidency to its full term. His toughest rival in the election is Jose Yulo of Iloilo, Secretary of Finance.

     The more dangerous years in the life of President Garcia has gone through the dark years of the Japanese occupation. Due to his non-cooperation with Philippine Puppet Republic, during the Japanese regime, there is a reward to whoever could lead to his capture, dead or alive. In three different instances, he was in danger if almost captured but fortunately, he survived and evaded capture like once, together with his father, Garcia has their ship been damaged while they are escaping. Another instance, Garcia was planned to be liquidated by other guerillas which is the arch nemesis of their group.

     As president, Garcia gave a priority attention to the ignorance of the society to the kind of morality we have now. President Garcia said: “We have to strengthen our morality. Our moral standard should be fortified… The divided and fallen nation which once is very powerful will prove that in our livelihood development, if it does not depend on morality, will only serve as destroyer of a nation. I have a strong belief that a strong character of a nation is the most effective defense against the challenge of communism.”

    On his inaugural speech, Carlos P. Garcia said: “A livelihood development of a nation does not depend on government alone, in the end; the responsibility to strengthen the livelihood of a nation is much dependent on its citizen. It is more dependent in the hands of the people because of their conditions and experience in trade, has the ability to be the leader in giving opportunities to the needy.”

    President Garcia’s wife is Leonila Dimataga of Opon, Cebu. They have one daughter named Linda. We could not deny the fact as a former president, he is always been asked for advice by government officials who succeeded him. President Carlos P. Garcia died of a heart attack on June 14, 1971 at the age of 75.

Major World Events During Garcia’s Administration

France. De Gaulle becomes premier, 1958

Egypt. United Arab Republic formed by merger of Egypt and Syria, 1958

Africa. Among former colonies to gain independence are Nigeria, Somalia and the Congo, 1960

Soviet Union launches first man into space, 1961

Cuba defeats rebel invaders, 1961

Carlos P. Garcia Images

President Garcia loves gardening. This picture was taken inside his garden. Behind him is his orchids fully taken cared because he is a green thumb individual.

President Garcia while having a speech

Carlos P. Garcia Images

The President and Mrs. Garcia in an event at the palace in honor of the visiting United States President Lyndon Baines Johnson and his wife, First Lady Clauda Alta Taylor "Lady Bird" Johnson

One of President Garcia's favorite past time is playing billiards.

President Garcia is happily talking with the press.

President Garcia while playing chess with US Navy Captain Richard Steere. The picture was taken aboard USS Saint Paul.

President Garcia gives worth to the "honor in labor".

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