August 19, 2022 is the day of celebration for the 144th birth anniversary of former President Manuel L. Quezon. This is in accordance with the effectiveness of Republic Act 6741, which was declared in 1989 that the day of August 19 will be recognized as a special non-working holiday in the area of Quezon City and the provinces of Quezon and Aurora.
Despite being regarded as the country's second president after Emilio Aguinaldo, Manuel L. Quezon was a statesman, soldier, and politician who became the first Filipino to be elected to lead a government of the whole Philippines. Son of elementary school teachers, Quezon took part in the independence struggle during the Philippine-American War and subsequently entered politics after earning a law degree.
He introduced a number of significant reforms and reorganizations during his presidency, staying true to his campaign slogan of "More Government and less politics." These included strengthening military defense, rearranging government positions, introducing land reforms, anti-corruption measures, new tenancy laws, social reforms pertaining to the working class and farmers, and advocating for women's suffrage.
The International Raoul Wallenberg Foundation awarded him the Wallenberg Medal posthumously in recognition of his efforts to prevent the Holocaust from happening to approximately 2,500 European Jews. After the Japanese invaded the Philippines during World War II, Quezon sought refuge in the US and governed the country from there until his death.
On October 12, 1939, Quezon City was established thanks to Commonwealth Act 502. With the passage of Republic Act No. 333 on July 17, 1948, it was designated as the nation's capital. The Metropolitan Manila Commission was established in 1975 as a result of Presidential Decree 824, integrating Quezon City into the Metro Manila Urban Government System, a more comprehensive urban governance framework. The National Capital Region was established by Presidential Decree No. 940, which was issued on July 24, 1976 by then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos and gave Metro Manila the title of nation's capital.
The city's initial mayor was President Quezon himself, who later named Tomas Morato to the office. After Morato, a lengthy list of notable mayors took over the reins of the city, including the current mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Ponciano Bernardo, Nicanor Roxas, Ignacio Santos Diaz, Norberto Amoranto, Adelina Rodriguez, Brigido Simon, Jr., and Ishmael Mathay, Jr. While Quezon City is still a new city, legendary areas that are now a part of its jurisdiction have seen tremendous events that have impacted the history of the country.
Quezon City is a stop on the "FreedomTrail," which highlights significant locations and moments in the fight for freedom and sovereignty. These include the historic "Cry of Pugad Lawin" led by the Great Plebeian, revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio on August 23, 1896, the People Power Revolution in EDSA, and the 100th anniversary celebration of Philippine Independence.
There is actually a lot of information we need to be aware of, and as we commemorate Quezon City Day once again, we hope that the history behind the celebration will be preserved for future generations to remember. CHEERS to Quezon City Day!
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