Today in Philippines' History

On September 17th day of year 1935, Manuel Luiz Quezón y Molina elected as the First President of the "Commonwealth of the Philippines" (1935-1941). He also reelected to his second term on December 1941 to August 01, 1944).

The late Quezón (1878-1944) is "considered" as the second President of the Philippines after late Emilio Aguinaldo (1897-1901 tenure).

If you're wondering in his last term (3 years), remember that on 1942 Japanese forces invasion threat at Manila was imminent. Manuel Quezón and his Cabinet fled to Australia then U.S. to set an "exile of Commonwealth of the Phillipines" in Washington (1942). On the first day of August 1944, Quezon died in Saranac Lake, New York due to tuberculosis.

The remains were first buried at Arlington National Cemetery during the WWII and then move to Manila where his final resting place is at Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City.

Manuel L. Quezón is known as the "Father of the National Language" for supporting Filipino-language amendments to the 1935 Constitution.

For further details of Manuel L. Quezón's career and historical autobiography, read "The Good Fight" (1946).

Manuel L. Quezon's legacy still stood today such as the Manuel L. Quezon University, various streets named after him, the Quezon City and Province, etc. As a Filipino by blood, we always have piece of Quezon's memory as his birthdate is celebrated as Special Non Working Public Holiday in the Quezon City and province.

Also, he is memorialized as one of the Presidents and national heroes used in Philippine New Generation Currency (NGC) Banknotes and coin today - the 20 pesos.

As the ₱20 bill is the lowest denomination among Phillipines banknotes, last December 2019, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) released the new 20-NGC coin. The coin features front face of Manuel L. Quezon, while the reverse side shows the BSP logo, the Malacañan Palace, and Nilad plant. See below for the picture and video presentation courtesy BSP YouTube channel.