"Elpidio Quirino: A Statesman's Journey from Humble Beginnings to National Leadership"

 "A leader's true legacy lies in the lasting progress he builds for his people." – Inspired by the life and service of Elpidio Quirino

We remember President Elpidio Quirino in commemoration of his birthday

November 16, 1890.

Elpidio Quirino (1890–1956) was the second president of the Independent Republic of the Philippines.

Born in 1890, Elpidio Quirino was elected to the Philippine Congress in 1919. He was part of the independence mission to Washington that freed the Philippines from American control in 1934. He then served as vice president under Manuel Roxas, becoming president upon Roxas' death in 1948. For six years, Quirino oversaw postwar reconstruction.

Elpidio Quirino was born on November 16, 1890, in the small city of Vigan, on Luzon Island in the Philippines. His father, Don Mariano Quirino, was a warden at a provincial jail. His mother was Dona Gregoria Mendoza Rivera Quirino. Young Elpidio graduated from elementary school in nearby Caoayan. Advanced beyond his years, Elpidio became a barrio (rural village) teacher while studying at Vigan High School.

Elpidio Quirino moved to Manila and graduated from Manila High School in 1911 and then passed the civil service exam. He entered law school at the University of the Philippines, graduating in 1915, and served as secretary to Senate President Manuel Quezon, where he began his rise through the Philippine government. In 1919, he was elected to the Philippine House of Representatives. In 1925, he was elected to the Philippine Senate and was quickly given Senate committee appointments.

In 1931 Elpidio Quirino was reelected to the Senate, and in 1934 he served as a member of the Philippine Independence mission to Washington, D.C., helping secure the Tydings-McDuffie Act, which set the timetable for Philippine independence from the United States. Quirino was also one of the drafters of the Philippine constitution, which was approved in May 1935

In April 1942, the Philippines were captured by Japanese imperial forces. Elpidio Quirino refused to join the Japanese-sponsored “puppet government” of Jose Laurel and instead went underground. He was captured by Japanese military police and imprisoned. His wife, son and two daughters were killed by Japanese forces as they fled their home during the Battle of Manila in early 1945.

After the war, Elpidio Quirino became the leader of the majority Liberal Party and president pro tempore of the Senate. Anticipating the country’s impending independence, elections were held in April 1946, and Manuel Roxas was elected president, with Quirino as vice president. When President Roxas unexpectedly died in April 1948, Quirino became president.

Elpidio Quirino was reelected president in November 1949. As president, he attempted to improve social, economic and agrarian conditions. He also established relations with Western and Asian countries.

In 1949, the Philippines, under the administration of President Elpidio Quirino, accepted around 6,000 white Russians who were fleeing from the Communist rule in China. President Quirino was also continuing a tradition of reaching out to victims of suffering all over the world.

He was best known for leading the Philippines after the second World War, and for his unbelievable decision to forgive Japanese prisoners of war. This, despite losing his wife and three of his children to brutal murders committed by Japanese soldiers.

Photo shows the Tydings-McDuffie Act, signing:

Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt signing the Philippine Commonwealth and Independence Act on March 24, 1934. Standing behind him (left to right) are Wyoming Sen. Joseph O'Mahoney, Secretary of War George H. Dern, Sen. Elpidio Quirino, future president Manuel Quezon, Maryland Democratic Sen. Millard E. Tydings.

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Commemorating the birthday of Philippine President Elpidio Quirino

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"Embracing Heritage: Celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Month 2024"

 "To honor Indigenous peoples is to honor the roots of humanity itself, recognizing their wisdom, resilience, and contributions to our shared journey."

This October, in the celebration of 2024 Indigenous Peoples Month and the 27th commemoration of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997, the NCIP gears to deepen the country’s awareness and understanding of Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) in the country.

With the theme, “Mga Katutubo at Katutubong Dunong: Pahalagahan, Pangalagaan at Parangalan” or “Valuing, Nurturing, and Honoring Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Knowledge,” the month-long festivity underscores key areas that identifies ICCs/IPs, specifically their contributions in agriculture and food security; their culture and customs and traditions woven in their natural environment and ancestral domains; their roles as stewards of our country’s land and seas; and their leadership role in nation building.

Through various activities, the NCIP seeks to highlight the daily chronicles of ICCs/IPs and their Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) and celebrates their rich cultural heritage and traditions; advocates for their rights; and educates and promotes solidarity among stakeholders and ICCs/IPs across the country.  

The activities are in partnership with national government agencies and stakeholders, all in unison to uplift the well-being and promote the rights of ICCs/IPs.

“Samahan nyo kami sa NCIP, para sa pagdiriwang sa taon na ito – sa pagpahalagaan at pagtaguyod sa natatanging wika, mga kaugalian, salindunong/tradisyon at mga katangiang at dunong ng ating mga Katutubong Pamayanan bilang  kaagapay at katuwang sa isang Bagong Pilipinas,”  Chairperson Jennifer Pia T. Sibug-Las. Encouraging all to participate and join this year’s celebration.

The NCIP is the primary government agency responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies, plans and programs to promote and protect the rights and well-being of ICCs/IPs and recognition of their rights as stipulated in the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997.

Observance of National Indigenous Peoples Month 2024 promotes and protects the rights and culture of the Indigenous Peoples, an act which increases awareness about their history, traditions, and contributions. It fosters respect and understanding, advocating for their rights and amplifying their voices in the fight for justice and self-determination, bringing attention to the importance of preserving Indigenous art, language, and customs. It promotes the integration of Indigenous perspectives within curricula and public discourse through educational campaigns while strengthening the partnerships between the Indigenous communities, governments, and organizations. This celebration inspires advocacy, action, and collaboration to ensure that their heritage and identity are honored and protected for the future generation.

REFERENCES:

NCIP NCIP marks Indigenous Peoples Month - Malaya Business Insight. (2024, October 1). Malaya Business Insight. https://malaya.com.ph/business/marketing-board/ncip-marks-indigenous-peoples-month/

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"Facing Environmental Crisis: Challenges for Filipinos"

 "The Earth is not a gift from our ancestors, but a loan from our children." — Native American Proverb

    Climate change is having serious impacts in the Philippines such as increased frequency and severity of natural disasters, sea level rise, extreme rainfall, resource shortages, and environmental degradation. All of these impacts together have greatly affected the Philippines' agriculture, water, infrastructure, human health, and coastal ecosystems and they are projected to continue having devastating damages to the economy and society of the Philippines.

   According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. The archipelago is situated along the Pacific Ocean's typhoon belt, leaving the country vulnerable to around 20 typhoons each year, a quarter of which are destructive. The December 2021 typhoon known colloquially as Typhoon Odette caused around a billion dollars (₱51.8 billion) in infrastructure and agricultural damages and displaced about 630,000 people. The United Nations estimated that Typhoon Odette impacted the livelihoods of 13 million people, destroying their homes and leaving them without adequate food or water supplies. More tragically, the physical and economic repercussions of Typhoon Odette led to the death of over 400 people as of December 2021.

   In addition to the Philippines' close proximity to the Pacific Ocean's typhoon belt, the Philippines is also located within the "Pacific Ring of Fire" which makes the country prone to recurrent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Compounding these issues, the impacts of climate change, such as accelerated sea level rise, exacerbate the state's high susceptibility to natural disasters, like flooding and landslides. Aside from geography, climate change impacts regions with a history of colonization more intensely than regions without a history of colonization. Colonized regions experience the repercussions of climate change most jarringly "because of their high dependence on natural resources, their geographical and climatic conditions and their limited capacity to effectively adapt to a changing climate." Since low-income countries have a history of colonialism and resource exploitation, their environment lacks the diversity necessary to prevail against natural disasters. A lack of biodiversity reduces the resilience of a specific region, leaving them more susceptible to natural disasters and the effects of climate change. With its history of Spanish colonization, the Philippines is not environmentally nor economically equipped to overcome issues it is currently dealing with, such as natural disasters and climate change. This inability to recover exacerbates the problem, creating a cycle of environmental and economic devastation in the country.

REFERENCES:

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WikipWikipedia contributors. (2024b, October 31). Climate change in the Philippines. Wikipedia. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_in_the_Philippines?f_link_type=f_inlinenote&need_sec_link=1&sec_link_scene=im

"Children's Month: Celebrating Rights and Dreams"

 "Every child matter, every moment counts."

    Standing up for the rights of children and making sure their needs are met continues to be a critical way that people can make a difference in the world today as well as for the future. National Children’s Month offers a special opportunity to show appreciation for, celebrate, and meet the needs of children, especially those who are trapped in a cycle of poverty. Whether advocating for the government, helping out with a children’s charity or volunteering locally, there are plenty of opportunities for making a difference on this day and all throughout the year!

    The history of the national month of children's, now an official celebration in the Philippines, National Children’s Month was established in 2015 by then president of the Philippines, Benigno Aquino III. This event was started as a way to commemorate the country’s adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which took place on November 20, 1989. The theme for the first month-long celebration was “Our Focus is the Health, Mind and Welfare of Every Child”. That theme continues on every year as the month is set aside to bring focus to the needs of children, whether they are related to physical health, mental health, education or overall well-being.

    Government agencies, educators, charitable organizations, businesses, community groups and so many others are involved with the celebration of National Children’s Month each year. As a third world country, the Philippines has a significant number of families each year who report that they have dire financial situations. An important part of this month is learning more about the needs of the children who suffer the most and then figuring out how to meet their needs throughout the coming year. Various events take place in cities and rural areas throughout the Philippines during National Children’s Month.

REFERENCES:

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Days Days Of The Year. (2024, October 5). National Children’s Month. Days of the Year. https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/national-childrens-month/