Elpidio Quirino
Elpidio Quirino, the sixth president of the Philippines, was born on November 16, 1890, in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, to a modest family that valued education and perseverance. Despite financial hardships, he completed his studies with determination, eventually earning a law degree from the University of the Philippines in 1915. His early experiences with poverty and hardship shaped his later commitment to social welfare and national development. Quirino’s political career began when he served as a clerk in various government offices before being elected to the House of Representatives in 1919. His competence and dedication quickly elevated him to higher positions, including Senator, Secretary of Finance, Secretary of the Interior, and Secretary of Foreign Affairs. He played a key role in the Philippine Independence Mission to the United States, contributing to the country’s path toward self-governance. He became president in 1948 following the death of President Manuel...