Among the so-called four “ber” months of the year, September may be considered as the most significant because it is the birth month of four out of the 17 Philippine presidents so far dating back since 1898, along with several historical events.
Sergio Osmena Sr. (1944-1946), the late fourth president of the Philippines, was born in Cebu on Sept. 9, 1878. During Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon’s term, Osmena also served as a vice president.
The ninth Filipino president, Diosdado P. Macapagal (1961-1965), was born in Pampanga on Sept. 28, 1910. Macapagal first served as vice president until he ascended to the presidency in November 1961.
Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., dictator and the country’s 10th president, was born in Ilocos Norte on Sept. 11, 1917. His only son, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the 17th and incumbent president, was born on Sept. 13, 1957. Marcos Sr. is remembered for his declaration of a nationwide martial law on Sept. 21, 1972, becoming one of the most significant events in Philippine history.
Moreover, the following is a list (not in chronological order) of some other memorable events in Philippine history that occurred in September as delivered by the 1998 Centennial Edition of Filway Marketing Inc.’s Philippine Students’ Almanac edited by Children’s Communications Center Director and National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario:
Sept. 1, 1900 – Establishment of the Civil Service in the Philippines through Philippines Commission Act. No. 5
Sept. 1 1910 – Philippine General Hospital (PGH) was established on Taft Avenue, Manila in 1947 and became an affiliate of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and College of Nursing.
Sept. 11, 1969 – The inauguration of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)
Sept. 5, 1976 – The inauguration of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC)
Sept. 12, 1896 – The execution of 13 Martyrs of Cavite at the Port of San Jose
Sept. 8, 1954 – The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was formed in Manila to dissuade communism in the region.
Sept. 13, 1907 – The execution of revolutionary leader Macario Sacario, considered as president of the Republikang Tagalog
Sept. 13, 1986 – The signing of the Generics Act or Republic Act No. 6675 by former president Corazon C. Aquino that provided prescription and production of medicines and drugs with identified generic names.
Sept. 15, 1898 – The opening of the Malolos Congress at the Barasoain Church
Sept. 16, 1991 – The Philippine Senate rejected the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Security that would extend the stay of the United States military bases in the Philippines
Sept. 29, 1637 – The death of the first Filipino Saint, Lorenzo Ruiz, in Nagasaki, Japan
September is full of memorable happenings in the country as recorded throughout different timelines. But every year, the month also brings us a constant remembrance that it is the beginning of a festive season.
Photo Courtesy: Facts.net