Emilio Aguinaldo (1869–1964)
To make it easier for you to master, always remember why Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo was on the 5peso bill (which is not used anymore, instead his head-profile is on the 5-peso coin) bearing the Philippine flag at the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day, it’s because he was the first president of the Philippines First Republic (a.k.a. Malolos Republic). Contributions and Achievements of Emilio Aguinaldo: first president youngest president – he became the country’s leader at age 28 longest-lived president – he died when he was 94 (wow!) one of the active leaders of KKK signed the Pact of Biak na Bato known as the President of the Revolutionary Government he fought against the Spanish and American to retain our independence
Manuel L. Quezon (1878–1944)
Notable facts about Manuel Luis Quezon is that, he is known as the “Father of National Language” (Ama ng Wikang Pambansa) and he died in Saranac Lake, New York due to tuberculosis. I’ve seen his life-sized wax statue inside the Quezon Memorial Circle, it was well crafted. Contributions and Achievements of Manuel L. Quezon: first Senate president elected as President of the Philippines first president elected through a national election first president under the Commonwealth he created National Council of Education he initiated women’s suffrage in the Philippines during the Commonwealth he made Tagalog / Filipino as the national language of the Philippines he appears on the twenty-peso bill a province, a city, a bridge and a university in Manila were named after him his body lies within the special monument on Quezon Memorial Circle
Jose P. Laurel
(1891–1959)
Laurel was the third to sit at the office during Japanese occupation of World War II. He was the only Filipino president to have been shot outside of combat. Contributions and Achievements of Jose P. Laurel: he was considered as the legitimate president of the Philippines he organized KALIBAPI (Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas). he declared Martial Law in 1944 he and his family developed the establishment of Lyceum of the Philippines
Sergio Osmeña (1878–1961)
Sergio Osmeña was the second president of the Commonwealth; he succeeded Quezon after his death. Contributions and Achievements of Sergio Osmena: he was 65 when he became president– making him the oldest president to hold office he was the first Visayan to become president he joined US Gen. Douglas McArthur in Leyte on October 20, 1944 starting the freedom of the Philippines from the Japanese during World War II during his time, the Philippine National Bank has been rehabilitated and the country joined the International Monetary Fund on his time, the Bell Trade Act was approved by the US Congress Sergio Osmena appears on the 50 peso bill
Manuel Roxas (1892–1948)
Roxas was the fifth president of the Philippines overall but he was considered as the third and last president under the Commonwealth and the first of the Third Republic of the Philippines. He only sat in the office for 1 year, 10 months and 18 days. Contributions and Achievements of Manuel A. Roxas: was inaugurated as the new and first president of the new Republic because the Philippines was finally free after the WW II in his time, the country has started reconstruction from war damage and the Philippines started breathing without foreign rule under his term, the Philippine Rehabilitation Act and Philippine Trade Act laws were accepted by the congress he is in the 100 peso bill
Elpidio Quirino (1890–1956)
He was the vice president at Roxas time. He became president when the latter died in 1948. Contributions and Achievements of Elpidio Quirino: under his term Hukbalahap movement was active he created Social Security Commission he also created Integrity Board to monitor graft and corruption in 1948, Quezon City was the capital of the Philippines peso and dollar exchange rate at his time was 1 US = P2
Ramon Magsaysay (1953–1957)
He was born in Iba, Zambales, was a military governor, and engineer. He died on a plane crash on Dec. 1957, boarding the presidential plane named “Mt. Pinatubo Contributions and Achievements of Ramon Magsaysay: was a chairman of the Committee on Guerilla Affairs was the first president sworn into office wearing Barong Tagalogin his inauguration his presidency was referred as the Philippines’ Golden Years for it was the cleanest and zero-corruption the Philippines was ranked 2nd in Asia’s clean and well-governed countries he established National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Administration (NARRA) among his agrarian reforms
Carlos P. Garcia (1896–1971)
Another lawyer, Carlos P. Garcia was a poet, teacher, and guerilla leader too. Born from Bohol, he was the vice president of Magsaysay and secretary of Foreign Affairs for 4 years. He became president when Magsaysay died in 1957. Contributions and Achievements of Carlos P. Garcia he was known for “Filipino First Policy” he established the Austerity Program focusing on Filipino trade and commerce was known as the “Prince of Visayan Poets” and the “bard from Bohol” cultural arts was revived during his term was the first president to have his remains buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani
Diosdado Macapagal (1910–1997)
He was born in Lubao, Pampanga, Diosdado Macapagal is the father of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the 14thand second woman president of the Philippines. He was a lawyer and a professor, too. Contributions and Achievements of Diosdado Macapagal: he established the first Land Reform Law he placed the Philippines currency – peso, on the currency exchange market he made June 12 1898 as the Philippines’ Independence Day he signed the Minimum Wage Law he signed the creation of the Philippine Veteran’s Bank
Ferdinand Marcos (1917–1989)
Born from Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Ferdinand Edralin Marcos was a lawyer and Senate President for 3 years. He was president for 21 years and only quit office after the People Power Revolution. His wife, Imelda Marcos became quite popular in the world too. His term was the most controversial and messy one because of Martial Law and People Power although Marcos has contributed a lot of nice things in the Philippines. He was one of the best and brightest presidents even though their family was rumored to have embezzled public funds to Switzerland and other wealthy countries. Contributions and Achievements of Ferdinand Marcos: he was the first president to win a second term he declared Martial Law on Sept. 22, 1972 he increased the size of Philippine military and armed forces in 1980, GNP was 4 times greater than 1972 in 1986, the Philippines was one of the most indebted countries in Asia he built more schools, roads, bridges, hospitals and infrastructures than all former presidents did combined is the only president whose remains interred inside a refrigerated crypt
Corazon Aquino (1933–2009)
The first woman president of the Philippines and the first woman president in Asia, Cory Aquino is the wife of Benigno Aquino Jr. (who was assassinated during Marcos regime). She was born in Paniqui, Tarlac Contributions and Achievements of Corazon Aquino: was named “Woman of the Year” in 1986 by Time magazine first woman president of the Philippines and Asia she’s known to bring back democracy in the country she abolished 1973 Marcos Constitution brought the new Constitution of the Philippines she reorganized the structure of the executive branch of government signed the Family Code of 1987 and 1191 Local Government Code she always initiated charitable and social activities helping the poor and the needy she’s been cited as a modern-day Joan of Arc by many she is in the new 500 peso bill together with her husband Ninoy Aquino she has received great honors and awards such as one of: 100 Women Who Shaped World History 20 Most Influential Asians of the 20th Century 65 Great Asian Heroes a recipient of J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding
Fidel V. Ramos (1928– )
FVR was the chief-of-staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines before he became president. Unknown to many, he’s also a civil engineer. He brought back economic growth and stability in the country in spite of the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997. He is the first and only non-Catholic president of the Philippines. Contributions and Achievements of Fidel V. Ramos during his time, the Philippines was cited as Asia’s Next Economic Tiger because he brought back economic growth the Philippines celebrated Centennial Independence in 1998 he’s the only Filipino who received British Knighthood from the United Kingdom, bestowed by Queen Elizabeth II (Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George) he led the 4th APEC Summit held in the Philippines his “Philippines 2000” vision made the Philippine Stock Exchange one of the best in the world in the mid-90s Death Penalty was reinstated at his time he signed peace talks and agreement with the MNLF
Joseph Estrada (1937– )
Known as Erap, he was the first president who was a famous film actor. His governance had so many downs due to controversies, impeachment and slow economic growth. I think he’s the first president who has been impeached and the second one who was forced to leave the office because of People Power III in Edsa. Philippine economy was at its worst because of leadership uncertainty. Contributions and Achievements of Joseph “Erap” Estrada: during his time, the MILF’s headquarters and camps were captured he joined other leaders and politicians who supported against the Charter Change was cited as one of the Three Outstanding Senators in 1989 was among the “Magnificent 12” who voted for the termination of the Philippines and US Military Bases Agreement from Clark Airbase and Subic Naval Base
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (1947– )
Gloria Arroyo, daughter of ex-president Diosdado Macapagal, was the second female president of the Philippines. She was 14 when she moved and lived in the Malacanang Palace. Oakwood Mutiny occurred on her term. There were also lots of messy controversies against Gloria like impeachments and the Hello Garci disgrace but Gloria has known to have contributed big record for road, bridges infrastructures and higher economic growth than the past 3 presidents term did. Amid the 2008 global financial crisis, the Philippines still had an impressive GDP growth and it was so hard to keep it afloat but she did. Contributions and Achievements of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo: second female president of the country first and only female vice-president of the Philippines so far (to date) first president to had oath taking outside Luzon an ex-professor of Economics at the Ateneo de Manila University where Noynoy Aduino was one of her students an ex-classmate of former US president Bill Clinton at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service where she maintained Dean’s list status she regained higher economic growth than the past 3 presidents before her Philippine economy grew at its fastest in 3 decades in 2007, GDP exceeding 7% growth US ex-president Bill Clinton cited Gloria’s “tough decisions” because of her brilliant strategy to make the country's economy back in shape amidst the 2008 global financial crisis Peso became the best performing currency of the year in Asia in 2007 eVAT Law was implemented under her term she is currently in the 200 peso bill
Benigno Aquino III (1960–present)
Son of the first female president of the Philippines and Asia – Corazon Aquino, Benigno Aquino III Aquino a.k.a. NoyNoy joined the House of Representatives and the Senate before his presidency. He is the first president who is a bachelor, unmarried and has no children. Contributions and Achievements of Benigno Aquino III: he created the no wang-wang policy and this was practiced on his inaugural address he assigned the notable Jesse Robredo as the secretary of DILG in 2010. he initiated the K-12 education in the Philippines he renamed the Office of the Press Secretary into Presidential Communications Operations Office and appointed new officers he signed an EO about suspension of allowances and bonuses of GOCCs and GFIs board members has paved peace in Mindanao thru the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Movement in 2012, the Philippine economy grew 7.1% besting other South East Asian countries
Ferdinand Marcos Achievement of Martial Law 1. Land reform In September 1972, the second presidential decree that Marcos issued under martial law declared the entire Philippines a land reform area. A month later, he issued Presidential Decree No. 27, which contained the specifics of his land reform program. On paper, the program was the most comprehensive ever attempted in the Philippines, notwithstanding the fact that only rice and corn land were included. Holdings of more than seven hectares were to be purchased and parceled out to individual tenants (up to three hectares of irrigated, or five hectares of unirrigated, land), who would then pay off the value of the land over a fifteen-year period. Sharecroppers on holdings of less than seven hectares were to be converted to leaseholders, paying fixed rents. The Marcos land reform program succeeded in breaking down many of the large haciendas in Central Luzon, a traditional center of agrarian unrest where landed elite and Marcos allies were not as numerous as in other parts of the country. In the country as a whole, however, the program was generally considered a failure. Only 20 percent of rice and corn land, or 10 percent of total farm land, was covered by the program, and in 1985, thirteen years after Marcos's proclamation, 75 percent of the expected beneficiaries had not become owner-cultivators. By 1988 less than 6 percent of all agricultural households had received a certificate of land transfer, indicating that the land they were cultivating had been registered as a land transfer holding. About half of this group, 2.4 percent, had received titles, referred to as emancipation patents. Political commitment on the part of the government waned rather quickly, after Marcos succeeded in undermining the strength of land elites who had opposed him. Even where efforts were made, implementation was selective, mismanaged, and subject to considerable graft and corruption.
REACTION: 2. San Juanico Bridge San Juanico Bridge is part of the Pan-Philippine Highway and stretches from Samar to Leyte across the San Juanico Strait in the Philippines. Its longest length is a steel girder viaduct built on reinforced concrete piers, and its main span is of an archshaped truss design. With a total length of 2.16 kilometers (1.34 mi),[1] it is the longest bridge in the Philippines spanning a body of seawater. President Ferdinand Marcos' project of the 21.9 million-dollar bridge was contracted to the Construction and Development Corporation of the Philippines (now the Philippine National Construction Corporation), which together with Japanese engineers conducted studies and designed the actual project. Construction commenced in 1969 over San Juanico Strait from Cabalawan, Tacloban City to the municipality of Santa Rita, Samar, with completion in 1973.
REACTION: 3. Light Rail Transit (LRT) The Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) is a public transport operator that is in charge of operating and maintaining the Manila Light Rail Transit System composed of the LRT-1 and the MRT-2. Founded by Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos on July 12, 1980, it is also responsible for monitoring the progress of construction of all LRTA lines. Currently it is not directly, however, in charge of the upkeep of the Manila Metro Rail Transit System, or MRT-3,
of which those duties are relegated to the Metro Rail Transit Corporation, a private enterprise, under MRT-3's Build-Operate-Transfer agreement. Yet this line's operations is possible to be transferred to this agency this 2011. As of January 13, 2010, the chief of LRTA took over as OIC of MRT-3.[1]
REACTION:
4. Prominent Building The Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City was established through Presidential Decree No. 673 issued by president Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1975. Its original name was the Philippine Heart Center for Asia and was changed to its current form in 1975. It was inaugurated on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1975 and graced by renowned cardiovascular experts such as Dr. Christiaan Barnard, Dr. Denton Cooley, Dr. Donald Effler, and Dr. Charles Bailey. The first Director of the PHC was Dr. Avenilo P. Aventura (1974-1986), a cardiovascular surgeon who performed many pioneering operations in the Philippines including the first successful renal transplantation in 1970, the first CABG in 1972, and developed and implanted the first ASEAN bioprosthesis, the PHCA porcine valve. The first patient to be admitted to the PHC was Ms. Imelda Francisco on April 14, 1975. The Philippine International Convention Center (Filipino: Sentrong Pangkumbensyong Pandaigdig ng Pilipinas, or PICC) is aconvention center located in the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines. This state-of-the-art facility has been the host of numerous local and foreign conventions, meetings, fairs, and social events.
REACTION:
5. Education (NCEE) The modern Philippines began from the late Ferdinand E. Marcos[3] presidential 1966 – 1986, at the time He and the Philippine top leaders crafted an ideology for Filipinos, although he did not claim timelessness nor permanence for the ideology; He meant to submit it for scrutiny and further refinement by Scholars and academicians, professionals, political leaders, legislators, educators, and by the people themselves through various interactions with circumstances and events. It was influenced The Philosophy of Philippine education at the time.
REACTION: 6. Social Services NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree: SECTION 1. Short Title. - This decree shall be known as the "Revised Philippine Medical Care Act." SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared to be the policy of the government to gradually provide total medical services to our people by adopting and implementing a comprehensive and coordinated medical care plan based on the following concepts of health care: (a) There shall be comprehensive medical care according to the needs of the patient. (b) The use of government and private medical facilities shall be coordinated as public service instrumentalities for the people.
(c) Optimum health care shall be achieved by preserving and promoting a proper interrelationship among physicians, patients and hospitals. SECTION 3. Purposes and Objectives. - The main purposes and objectives of this Decree are: a) To provide medical care to residents of the country in an evolutionary way within our economic means and capability as a nation. b) To provide our people with a viable means of helping themselves to pay for adequate medical care. SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. - For the purpose of this Decree, the following terms shall mean as follows: a) Commission - The Philippine Medical Care Commission created under R.A. No. 6111. b) Philippine Medical Care Plan - The total Plan consisting of Programs I and II. c) SSS - The Social Security System created under Republic Act Number Eleven Hundred Sixty One, as amended. d) GSIS - The Government Service Insurance System created under Commonwealth Act Number One Hundred Eighty Six, as amended. e) Employee - Any person compulsorily covered by either the GSIS or SSS. f) Beneficiary - Any person entitled to medical care benefits under this Decree. g) Employer - The employer of the employee. h) Legal Dependent - Persons other than members and contributors who are entitled to benefits under this Decree in accordance with such terms and conditions as the Commission may prescribe. i) Medical Care Benefits - Services relative to illness or injury, including major dental surgery or operation which needs hospitalization subject to reasonable limitations as will be imposed by the technical organization and finances of the Philippine Medical Care Plan. j) Hospital - Any medical facility, government or private, accredited in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission. k) Medical or Dental Practitioner - Any doctor of medicine or doctor of dental medicine duly licensed to practice in the Philippines and who is accredited by the Commission in accordance with its rules and regulations. (As amended by Sec. 1, Executive Order 269) . l) Service Beds - Private and government hospital beds set aside for beneficiaries of the Philippine Medical Care Plan as may be prescribed by the Commission. m) Single Period of Confinement - A single confinement or series of confinements for the same illness, with intervals of not more than ninety (90) days. n) Medical or Dental Attendance - Medical or dental care of a patient by a physician or medical staff or dentist or dental staff of the hospital.
REACTION: 7. Balikbayan Program The Balikbayan Program is instituted under the administration of the Department of Tourism(link is external) to attract and encourage overseas Filipinos to come and visit their motherland. This is in recognition of their contribution to the economy of the country through the foreign exchange inflow and revenues that they generate. The program allows visa-free entry to the Philippines for a period of one (1) year for foreign passport holders, with the exception of restricted nationals. It also includes a kabuhayan shopping privilege allowing tax-exempt purchase of livelihood tools and providing the opportunity to avail of the necessary training to enable the balikbayan to become economically self-reliant members of society upon their return to the country. The program also intends to showcase competitive and outstanding Filipino-made products. Who are entitled to avail of the Balikbayan Program? The term "balikbayan" shall mean a Filipino citizen who has been continuously out of the Philippines for a period of at least one (1) year, a Filipino overseas worker, or a former Filipino citizen and his or her family who had been naturalized in a foreign country and comes or returns to the Philippines. The term "family" shall mean the spouse and the children of the balikbayan traveling
with the latter to the Philippines.
REACTION: