Today in Philippine History: Jovito Salonga

JUNE 22, 1920

Jovito “Jovy” Salonga (June 22, 1920), known as “The Nation’s Fiscalizer” was born in Pasig, Rizal. He was a World War II hero, congressman, Presidential Commission on Good Government Chairman and consistently topped three senatorial elections in the administrations of Presidents Diosdado Macapagal, Ferdinand Marcos and Cory Aquino. He became senate president before he retired. During the martial law years, he fought the Marcos dictatorship. Salonga is a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 2007. 

Photo credit: http://www.rmaf.org.ph/

Today in Philippine History: Jaime Lachica Cardinal Sin

JUNE 21, 2005

Jaime Lachica Cardinal Sin (August 31, 1928 – June 21, 2005), the charismatic Archbishop of Manila died at the age of 76 due to renal failure. The government through Presidential Proclamation No. 863 gave him a state funeral and a period of national mourning with thousands attending his funeral. Cardinal Sin was instrumental in toppling Pres. Ferdinand Marcos’ regime through People Power 1 in 1986 that installed Cory Aquino as president. Again in 2001, he intervened that led to the ouster of Pres. Joseph Estrada and made Gloria Arroyo president.

Photo credit: http://manilacathedral.org/

Today in Philippine History: Battle of the Philippine Sea

JUNE 20, 1944

The Battle of the Philippine Sea was history’s largest carrier to carrier battle between the U.S. Pacific Fleet and the Imperial Japanese Navy. Admirals Raymond Spruance and Marc Mitscher’s force of 7 fleet carriers, 8 light fleet carriers, 7 battleships, 8 heavy cruiser, 13 light cruisers, 58 destroyers, 28 submarines and 956 carrier aircrafts defeated Admirals Jisaburo Ozawa and Kakuji Kakuta’s 5 fleet carriers, 4 light fleet carriers, 5 battleships, 13 heavy cruiser, 6 light cruisers, 27 destroyers, 24 submarines, 6 oilers and 750 carrier and land-based aircrafts.

Photo credit: http://www.angelfire.com/fm/odyssey/philippinesea.htm and http://en.wikipedia.org/

Today in Philippine History: Jose P. Rizal

JUNE 19, 1861

José Protacio Rizal (June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896), the national hero of the Philippines and pride of the Malayan race was born in Calamba, Laguna. He was the seventh of the nine children of Francisco Mercado Rizal and Teodora Alonzo y Quintos. Rizal was a novelist, poet, journalist, ophthalmologist and a nationalist. His two books, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo  exposed the injustices of the civil and church officials that led to his arrest, trial and execution.

Today in Philippine History: The University of the Philippines

JUNE 18, 1908

The University of the Philippines, the national university was founded after the First Philippine Legislature passed Act No. 1870 also known as the “University Act” upon the recommendation of Secretary of Public Instruction W. Morgan Schuster. Act No. 1870 authorized the Governor General to establish the University of the Philippines in the “city of Manila, or at any point he may deem most convenient.” U.P. today provides the largest degree programs in the country and Senate Resolution No. 276 recognizes it as the “nation’s premiere university”.

Photo credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/

Today in Philippine History: Preparatory Committee for Philippine Independence Created

JUNE 18, 1943

The Japanese High Command gave an order to create a Preparatory Committee for Philippine Independence with the aim of making a constitution. The task was given to the KALIBAPI (Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong PiIipinas), a political party created by the Philippine Executive Commission headed by Jorge Vargas. After the constitution was finished and ratified, an election was held for the members of the unicameral National Assembly. Benigno S. Aquino Sr. became the speaker. Jose P. Laurel was elected president of the 2nd Philippine Republic.

Photo credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/

Today in Philippine History: Lazaro Francisco

JUNE 17, 1980

Lazaro Francisco (February 22, 1898 - June 17, 1980), the National Artist for Literature and the recipient of the Republic Cultural Heritage Award for Literature in 1970 passed away on this day. Born in Orani, Bataan, Francisco wrote short stories and plays. He also wrote novels that were serialized in Liwayway, the weekly Tagalog magazine. His nationalism showed in his novels that include: Singsing na Pangkasal, Bayang Nagpatiwakal, Sa Paanan ng Krus, Ilaw sa Hilaga, Binhi at Bunga, Cesar, Sugat ng Alaala, Ama, Maganda Pa Ang Daigdig, and Daluyong.

Photo credit: http://www.lazarofrancisco.com/