Social Studies: Important Notes

Notes 26

THE PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTS: THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

Emilio Aguinaldo 1899-1901

Emilio Aguinaldo was the first president of the Philippines First Republic (also known as the Malolos Republic). He was inaugurated on January 23, 1899, at the Barasoain Church, Malolos, Bulacan. He led the proclamation of the Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898, in his ancestral home in Kawit, Cavite.

Contributionsand Achievements of Emilio Aguinaldo:

—He waved the Philippine flag in declaring the independence of the Philippines in 1898

—He was the first (and only) president of the First Republic (Malolos Republic)

—The youngest Filipino president, taking office at age 28

—The longest-lived president of the Philippines, passing away at age 94

—Featured in the front and back of the Philippine 5-peso bill (not circulated anymore)

—He led the country in the Spanish-Philippine War and the American-Philippine War

—He led the proclamation of the Philippine Independence

—Known as the President of the Revolutionary Government

—Signed the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, creating a truce between the Spanish and Philippine revolutionaries

—He was a well-known entrepreneur, soldier, and politician

—Emilio Aguinaldo had Bachelor of Arts (college preparatory) at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in 1880

Manuel L. Quezon, 1935-1944

Manuel L. Quezon was the 2nd president of the Philippines and the first president of the Philippine Commonwealth established under the USA. He was inaugurated on December 30, 1941, in Corregidor Island. He's known as the "Father of National Language" (Ama ng Wikang Pambansa). He died of tuberculosis in Saranac Lake, New York.

Contributionsand Achievements of Manuel L. Quezon:

—First President elected through a national election

—First Senate President elected as President of the Philippines

—The first president of the Philippines under the Commonwealth

—Initiated women's suffrage in the Philippines during the Commonwealth

—Manuel L. Quezon created the National Council of Education

—He approved Filipino as the national language of the Philippines

—Studied Bachelor of Arts at Colegio de San Juan de Letran

—Studied Bachelor of Law at the University of Sto. Tomas

—Ranked 4th in the Philippine Bar Exam (1903)

—A province, a city, a bridge, and a university in Manila are named after him

—He fought for the passage of the Tydings-McDuffie Act (1934)

—His body rests peacefully inside the special monument on Quezon Memorial Circle

—Featured in the 20-peso bill, for the Declaration of Filipino as the national language