MANUEL L. QUEZON (1878-1944)
                     
                                   "Father of the National Language"

-was the first president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. 

-he was born on August 19, 1878, to Lucio Quezon and Maria Molina, both schoolteachers, in Baler, Tayabas (now Quezon) Province.
 
-was a Filipino statesman, soldier, and 
politician who served as president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935 to 1944.

        Manuel L. Quezon's Achievements and Contributions

• first Senate president elected as President of the Philippines

• first president elected through a national election

• first president under the Commonwealth

• created National Council of Education

• initiated women’s suffrage in the Philippines during the Commonwealth

• approved Tagalog/Filipino as the national language of the Philippines

• appears on the twenty-peso bill

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

• his body lies within the special monument on Quezon Memorial Circle

                                  

15 Mesmerizing Facts About President Manuel Quezon

By FilipiKnow

Other than the national heroes, perhaps no other figure in Philippine history receives as much reverence as Manuel Quezon. Loved by his supporters, criticized yet begrudgingly admired by his rivals, Quezon undoubtedly stands as a Filipino leader of the highest caliber.

What better way then, as tribute to the first president of the Philippine Commonwealth, than to know more about his life and all (he was human after all). Read on and get to know the man whose name would be forever etched in the annals of Philippine history (along with countless streets and buildings).


15. He was a bright but lazy student.

14. He adopted someone’s name into his own.

13. He made his wife cry with a prank.

12. He was a gifted pianist.

11. He was a brilliant lawyer.

10. He initially refused to learn English.

9. He almost fought two duels…twice. 
 
8. He was a talented card player.

7. He made his own clothes.

6. He was an incorrigible playboy.

5. He paid MacArthur $500,000.
 
4. He tried to secure a neutrality pact with the Japanese.

3. He was a people’s president.

2. He was a bureaucrat’s worst nightmare.

 

1. He was a bonafide statesman.


     Did you know?

                    Manuel Quezon also played a major role in saving more than a thousand Jews.

Even if his rivals criticized him, he does not care at all. And because of his skills, knowledge and his love for our country, those who criticized him also admire him. He made many contributions that helps every Filipino in different ways. He approved Tagalog/Filipino as the national language of the Philippines. And because of that, we understand each other. We can easily express ourselves through our Mother Tongue.And we cannot easily forget Manuel Quezon because his name would be forever etched in the annals of Philippine history (along with countless streets and buildings).

"I would rather have a country run like hell by Filipinos than a county run like heaven by the Americans, because however a bad Filipino government might be, we can always change it."

                                                                                 - Manuel L. Quezon

 

             

  EMILIO AGUINALDO (1869-1964)    

       One way to remember the First President of the Philippines First Republic is to look at the Five Peso Coin! 

-Was a Philippine general, politician and independence leader.

-He was born on March 22, 1869 in Kawit,Cavite.

-In 1895, Aguinaldo joined the Katipunan brotherhood, a secret organization then lend by Andres Bonifacio, dedicated to the expulsion of the Spanish and independence for the Philippines.

                                                Emilio Aguinaldo's Achievements

- He led his country to achieve independence after fighting off both the Spanish and the  Americans.
- He was elected as the First President of the new Republic under the Malolos Congress. 
- He also led the Philippine-American war against U.S. resistance to Philippine independence.
- On June 12, 1898, Aguinaldo at last declared  Philippine independence.
- Aguinaldo's proclamation put an end to four centuries of Philippine oppression under Spanish Colonial Rule.
- Youngest president, taking office at age 28
- Longest-lived president, passing away at 94

                                 
                                             7 Un-Heroic Deeds of Emilio Aguinaldo 
                                                                  by FilipiKnow 


 Unlike Jose Rizal whom we Filipinos have venerated as the ideal Filipino hero, Emilio Aguinaldo's legacy can be described as mixed as best. Although his numerous accomplishments cannot be denied, the same can also be said of the many controversies that have continued to hound his name up to this day.

1. He could have saved Bonifacio's life but didn't. 

2. He did not investigate the (alleged) rape of Bonifacio's wife.

3. He let Luna's killers go unpunished.

4. He ignored Luna's advice for guerilla warfare only to use it in the end.

5. He had a nascent dictatorial streak.

6. He engaged in political mudslinging against Manuel Quezon.

7. He was the "first" Japanese collaborator.

     Bonus Trivia: Aguinaldo and Bonifacio almost had a duel.

  As we all know, Aguinaldo contributed many contributions. He made a biggest part in our country because he led our compatriot to achieve our independence. To win against Spaniards and Americans. Because of them, we are now free. Free from being slaves in our own country. We are free to do whatever we wanted to do with responsibilities and limitations. But life isn't perfect and no one is. Even the First President of the Philippines Emilio Aguinaldo is not  because of his un-heroic deeds. His flaws shows that he was just a human like the rest of us.

                   " We cannot free ourselves unless we move forward united in a single desire "

                                                                                                                 - Emilio Aguinaldo