Manuel Luis Quezon - The First Presedent of the Commonwealth of the Philippines
Manuel Quezon was born on Aug. 19, 1878, to Lucio Quezon and Maria Molina, both schoolteachers, in Baler, Tayabas (now Quezon) Province, in Luzon. Manuel enrolled at San Juan de Letran College, after which he was appointed lecturer at the University of Santo Tomás. There he studied law, but his studies were interrupted by the outbreak of the Spanish-American War.
Quezon was considered “bright but lazy”; but when he joined the revolutionary forces of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo during the revolution against Spain, Quezon displayed his fearless, bold, and quick-tempered style of fighting. He was promoted from private to major until, in 1899, he surrendered to the Americans, spent 6 months in jail, and then returned to Manila.
In 1903 Quezon passed the bar examination and set up practice in Baler. He gave up private practice to assume the post of provincial fiscal of Mindoro and later of Tayabas. In 1906 he was elected provincial governor. His campaign showed his native political wisdom when he sided with popular issues in a somewhat opportunistic manner. Often he abandoned consistency for the sake of pursuing what to his enemies was nothing but plain demagoguery.
In 1907 Quezon ran successfully as candidate for the Philippine Assembly on the Nacionalista party platform. In the Assembly he was elected floor leader, and Sergio Osmeña, his archrival, became Speaker of the House. Quezon served as resident commissioner in Washington, D. C. (1909-1916), where he became notorious as a romantic dancer, playboy diplomat, and shrewd lobbyist. He was instrumental in having a law revised so that Filipinos would form a majority in the Philippine Commission, the highest governing body in the Philippines. In February 1916 he cosponsored the Jones Act, which gave the Filipinos the power to legislate for themselves subject to veto by the American governor general. With this act, Quezon returned home a hero.
In 1916 Quezon was elected to the Senate, and soon became its president. Here he began attacking Osmeña for the latter’s theory of “unipersonal” leadership. Quezon’s “collectivist” idea of leadership won in the 1922 election. Soon, however, the two warring factions of the Nacionalista party united in the Partido Nacionalista Consolidado, headed by Quezon, who then became president of the party.
In 1933 a bill providing for the future independence of the Philippines, the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Bill, was passed by the U.S. Senate. Quezon opposed the new law because “America would still hold military and naval bases in the Philippines even after the latter’s independence, and, moreover, export duties regulated in the law would destroy both industry and trade.” He was referring to what has since become the most troublesome cause of conflict between the Philippines and the United States: the right of jurisdiction over military bases and the special trade concessions given to landlords, compradors, and bureaucrat-capitalists with interests in export industries.
The real cause of Quezon’s opposition to the law, apart from his objection to specific provisions, was the fact that it was identified with the Osmeña faction. Quezon led a mission to the United States to work for a bill generally similar to the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Law, the Tydings-McDuffie Law, known also as the Philippine Independence Act. This law provided for Philippine independence in 1946 and tax-free importation of Philippine products such as sugar, coconut oil, and cordage into the United States and the diplomatic negotiation of the military bases issue.
President of the Philippines
In September 1935, under the banner of a coalition party, Quezon was elected first president of the commonwealth, with Osmeña as vice president. Quezon’s first act as chief executive was to push a national defense bill through the rubber-stamp unicameral legislature, which he controlled. This bill made him chairman of the Council for National Defense, with the chief of staff of the armed forces directly subordinate to him.
On Aug. 10, 1940, influenced by the growing Japanese imperialist encroachment, Quezon jammed through the National Assembly the Emergency Powers Bill, which vested him with dictatorial powers. Passed by a vote of 62 to 1, the bill gave Quezon the authority to change even the social and economic structure of the country: he was given the authority to require civilians to render service to the government, to outlaw strikes, to commandeer shipping and other transportation, to control fuel resources, to revise the educational system, and so forth.
In November 1941 Quezon was reelected president of the commonwealth. When the Japanese forces occupied Manila in 1942, Quezon and his Cabinet fled from the Philippines and set up an exile government in Washington in May 1942. Quezon died on Aug. 1, 1944, a year before the liberation of the Philippines.
Although Quezon lived through the most turbulent times in Philippine history, when the peasantry—who composed 75 percent of the people—was rebelling against social injustice and age-old exploitation, he failed to institute long-lasting reforms in land tenancy, wages, income distribution, and other areas of crisis. Essentially a politician who was both tactful and bullheaded, supple and compulsive, Quezon served mainly the interest of the Filipino elite, or ruling oligarchy (about 200 families), who owned and controlled the estates and businesses.
Quezon became a popular hero when he attacked the racist policies of Governor Leonard Wood with his declaration that he preferred “a government run like hell by Filipinos to one run like heaven by Americans.” Senator Claro M. Recto, a contemporary, pronounced the most balanced and acute judgment when he described Quezon as “a successful politician … because he was a master of political intrigue. He knew how to build strong and loyal friendships even among political opponents, but he knew also how to excite envy, distrust, ambition, jealousy, even among his own loyal followers.”
The most authoritative source on Quezon’s life is his autobiography, The Good Fight (1946). For his career and the historical circumstances surrounding it, the following are standard references: Carlos Quirino, Quezon: Man of Destiny (1935); Joseph R. Hayden, The Philippines: A Study in National Development (1942); Teodoro A. Agoncillo and Oscar M. Alfonso, History of the Filipino People (1960; rev. ed. 1967); Theodore Friend, Between Two Empires: The Ordeal of the Philippines, 1929-46 (1965); and Teodoro A. Agoncillo, A Short History of the Philippines (1969).
Source: https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/history/philippines-history-biographies/manuel-luis-quezon
Filipino Traits: The Positive and the Negative
Filipinos has one of the best traits in the world one of you must know. Although they have been colonized by several countries, core values from their ancestors remained intact and is still applied up to this time.
1. HOSPITABLE • This is one of the most popular qualities of Filipinos. Foreigners who have gone to the Philippines find themselves falling in love for their hospitality. It’s a different kind of values which already existed thousands of years ago
2. RESPECTFUL • This is often observed not just from younger people but also from older ones.
3. STRONG FAMILY TIES AND RELIGIOUS • Filipinos value their families so much that they tend to be so intact.
4. GENEROSITY AND HELPFUL • This is observed when one person has nothing and they tend to share what they have to them.
5. HARDWORKING • Filipinos are hardworking people to the fact that they are willing to work several time to almost whole day just to feed their families. That’s how Filipinos are.
6. LOVING AND CARING • This is so true! Filipinos are the sweetest and loving people in the world.
7. FAMILY ORIENTATION • Filipinos possess a genuine and deep love for family which includes not simply spouse and children, parents and siblings, but also grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, godparents and other ceremonial relatives..
8. FLEXIBILITY, ADAPTABILITY, & CREATIVITY • Filipinos have a great capacity to adjust and to circumstances and the surrounding environment, both physical and social.
9. ABILITY TO SURVIVE • Despite grinding poverty, many Filipinos survive. They can even make a livelihood from garbage dumps. We have survived many invaders, oppressors and natural calamities, and have come out with hope and determination to carve out our existence anew. • Significantly, the typical Filipino greeting is “Mabuhay!”
10. CAMARADERIE (PAKIKISAMA OR KAPWA -TAO) • While this trait is true to some extent, it must be noted that camaraderie is present only among close friends and relatives. Gone were the days when you will see people helping others even if they don’t know each other.
11. DEBT OF GRATITUDE (UTANG NA LOOB) • Debt of gratitude still persists in the Filipino psyche. You give a Filipino a favor and he will surely remember it even if he already returned the favor.
Source: https://www.slideshare.net/12071989/filipino-traits-and-characteristics-30717747
12. SPIRITUALITY • It refers to your expressions of fourth in the Divine Being. It is your inner, longing to experience the sacred in its infinity – the different symbols and rituals of each religion are expressive of the spiritual dimension present in all humans. Being “maka-Diyos” is the expressions of Filipinos used to refer to the mysterious force that guides us in life. Thus, the need to pray, to reflect, and to meditate. When a person is spiritual, he is able to withstandany trial. He is full of hope and confidence in the being blindness of God.
13. Social Responsibility • It is expressed in the way you relate with others.
14. Nationalism and patriotism • It is our love for the country and the people in it in which we share the same ancestors, history, culture and deals.
15. Global Solidarity • It is also a sense of commitment to help others and also, going beyond the boundaries in our own nation.
16. Love • It is not just a power of mind but a power of emotion that inspires us to be the best of what we are of only to be able to offer our precious self to others and to God. It is also expressed as “kagandahang-loob” which inspires us to become generous and to look after the welfare of others. When one loves, he becomes generous, kind, forgiving, and compassionate.
1. Crab mentality There are some of us Filipinos who got a bitter view at competition—that if we cannot win, then no one will. Instead of helping each other to be successful, we even make ways to pull them down like discourage them from taking great opportunities, or destroying their image. This is because we want to be the only one at the top. If only we would see the achievements of our neighbors or colleagues as an inspiration to reach our own goals instead of considering them as threats. We should realize that the success of each Filipino will contribute to the improvement of the country, and this can help all of us to be successful as well.
2. Procrastination or “Mañana Habit “ This is another habit which keeps the development of our country slow. Look at the government projects which have been left undone for years. If only they were completed immediately, then many Filipinos would have already benefited from them. This is also true with many of us. Instead of working on a task while there is much time, we wait for the deadline because we feel lazy to start on them, or we want to use the time in other things. Of course, the outcome of our completed work would not be of high quality because they were rushed.
3.”Bahala na” or “come what may” habit This is another habit that destroys the image of Filipinos. Instead of doing something to make things happen, we tend to just leave the outcome to whatever that could happen—come what may—we say. For instance, instead of studying for exams, some students may spend more time in computer games and gimmicks, while leaving their chance of passing the midterms to luck. We could attribute this habit to faith, reasoning out that God will help us become successful. However, as the Christian saying goes, “faith without work is dead”. If we have some goals, then we need to work in order to achieve them.
4. Hypocrisy (being a double-faced person) As a country which claims to value morality, most of us try to live up to the standards set by the traditional society. However, as no one is perfect, many of us are not actually able to sustain these standards. The fear of being an outcast has forced a lot of people to live a double standard life. To hide our failure in following a norm, we tend to be condemning to those who are caught red handed. A perfect example could be the criticisms faced by those who become pregnant outside marriage. The sad fact behind this scenario is that some of these critics could have actually engaged in premarital sex too—only that no proof is visible.
5. Ningas cogon In Spanish, “ningas cogon” means a burning cogon grass. This flaming grass quickly burns out—and this best describes one of the worst Filipino traits. Most of us are very good at this. We are excellent at starting projects or idea execution. Nevertheless, after a few hours or days, we lose the excitement, and we become too lazy to finish what we have started.
6. Filipino time (tardiness) Instead of being something to be proud of, ‘Filipino time’ brings a negative impression to our people. The Filipino time is usually associated with tardiness. When the invitation says the program will start at 7pm, it is expected to begin at 9pm. When the date is set at 3pm, the partner will arrive at 5 o’ clock. This has not only caused conflicts in relationships, it also discourages others including foreigners from getting involved in supposedly productive activities as too much time can be wasted on waiting.
7. Gossiping Filipinos are fond of talking about others’ business. It is not true that only women are into gossiping. Even men can also be nosy on other people’s lives. Sadly, this does not bring any good to the subjects. Secrets are brought out; failures and flaws are emphasized; and relationships are destroyed. Worse, as gossips are passed around, they tend to be twisted until the final story becomes too far from the original—thus, causing more damage.
8. Blaming others (irresponsibility) We, Filipinos, can sometimes be too self-righteous. When mistakes happen, we do not want to take the blame, so instead we point at others. This shows how we can be irresponsible for our actions. This attitude destroys team work, and reliability becomes an issue. This habit is also popular among our public officials. I know you know what happened during the Yolanda crisis. The rescue and rehabilitation operations in the Yolanda affected areas became slow, courtesy of the blaming habits of our politicians in position.
9. Inconsideration (being thoughtless of others) This habit could be a result of having too many things on mind—have to find money for kids’ tuition, need to look for a better job, stress over a drunkard or unfaithful spouse, and other problems. We become insensitive to the needs of other people because we need to focus on ourselves first. However, this country could be an easier place to live in if we were thoughtful enough to show kindness to one another. These problems will be easier to deal with if we will help each other get over them.
10. Ignoring or not following simple rules and instructions Laws and regulations are created to make communities harmonious. However, how can we achieve that peaceful neighborhood if we cannot even follow the simplest rules like crossing on the pedestrian lane and not loitering around? It is not enough that we demand change in our government. We should also strive to start change in ourselves by being disciplined citizens even in the smallest ways.
11. Attention grabbing (being an ‘epal’) It is natural for Filipinos to attract attention by standing out as we are a fun and people loving race. Nevertheless, it is a different thing to be an “epal” or “kapalmuks”—simply, being an attention grabber. Sometimes, in our desperate need to be the center of attention, we do things that are already embarrassing like butting in conversations as a know-it-all or by being scandalous. This habit is also common to our politicians. Instead of prioritizing their duty to give the best service to the people, they rather prioritize their thick faces to grab attention that will bring them more chance of winning in the next election. But thanks to our vigilant netizens, this kind of politicians earn more shame than fame.
12. Being onion-skinned or too sensitive Another habit or attitude that we need to change is our being too prideful which usually results to being oversensitive. If we think highly of ourselves, then we have the tendency to put a wall around us and that signboard on our forehead saying, “I must be respected.” Therefore, when someone makes a joke or a not so positive comment about us, we feel like we are not respected and we get offended. If all people in the country do not know how to accept constructive criticism, then we can never expect unity.
13. Living beyond their means (social climbing) One of the reasons why a lot of Filipinos live in poverty is because of overspending. Since most people want to live an elite lifestyle, many resort to social climbing or living beyond their means. Sometimes, some of us think that as long as we wear designer clothes and shoes, and we send our children to the most expensive schools, it is alright to be swimming in credits and loans.
14. Passivity (lack of leadership) Filipinos’ lack of initiative for change is also one reason why our country does not progress. We keep on complaining against the government and other societal issues. However, we do not do anything about them. One of our excuses is the lack of faith that our small actions can bring change. However, the worse reason for this could be our lack of care for what is happening around us. Common Filipinos also lack courage and confidence. If you can notice it, in classrooms, churches, or conference rooms, most of us don’t like to sit in the front seat.
source: https://faq.ph/14-bad-habits-that-filipinos-should-break-to-achieve-progress/
