Sino: Ilokano’s Quirino

        Who was the first ever Ilocano president and the second president of the Philippines Republic. It's President Elpidio Quirino. He was born on November 16, 1899 in Vigan of Ilocos Sur at the Provincial Jail. Quite shocking right.? He’s the third among his siblings in which he loved his parents, Mariano Quirino and Greogoria Rivera-Quirino. A well-known nickname for him is “Pidiong".

        Before Pidiong became the president, he was a bright student. Brilliant at learning that only at the age of 16, he got a teaching job at Caparia-an in Caoayan, Ilocos Sur. Despite his 12-pesos monthly salary, his 5-peso savings from his occupation became a door to him to continue his education in Manila. In Manila, he finished with a Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Philippines. In his journey, his brother Ernesto supported him financially. God blessed his family with children and a jolly  marriage with Alicia Syquia, who belonged to the most prominent and wealthy Filipino-Syquia family in Ilocos Sur. 

In 1992 and 1931, he served as a senator. He’d experienced being the secretary of the Justice, Interior, and Foreign affairs department of the national government. However, during the war in our country, the Japanese imprisoned him in Fort Santiago as he refused to be a puppet Governor on charges of conspiracy with his guerilla brother, Antonio. As a result, the Japanese in Ermita, Manila killed his wife and three of his children, Armando, Norma, and Fe.

Due to the death of President Manuel Roxas on April 15, 1948, he became the president. His presidency involved controversies. Beside the 1969 elections where Ferdinand Marcos was elected president, the election that Quirino won was considered the most corrupt. He was the first ever president to face an impeachment trial for allegedly purchasing an exorbitant Golden arinola (chamber pots) with public funds. Regardless of the challenges he faced during his presidency, he’s known till this day as the “Father of Philippine Industrialization" and the “Champion of Philippine Sovereignty". As Ilokano, Pidiong who contributed to boost the economy, unlock employment, and the country's recovery from war, it's worth taking pride in.

 

Reference:

https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/community-news/commemorative-event-of-

president-elpidio-l-quirinos-60th-death-anniversary-at-philippine-center-new-

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