This Week’s Milestones: Dec. 22-28, 2019
Dec. 24, 1941
The seat of the Commonwealth Government was temporarily transferred from Manila to Corregidor Island after Japanese forces started attacking the Philippines on Dec. 8, 1941.
Former President Manuel Quezon and Vice President Sergio Osmeña, accompanied by American Gen Douglas MacArthur, left for better-defended Corregidor.
Quezon was inaugurated on his second term as the second President of the Philippines outside the Malinta Tunnel.
In his second inaugural address on Dec. 30, 1941, Quezon said that the seat of government was transferred to “a place in close proximity to the headquarters of our Armed Forces, where I am in constant touch with Gen. Douglas Macarthur.”
Dec. 25, 1898
Article continues after this advertisementThe Ejercito Libertador (Liberating Army), the Ilonggo rebel forces who fought the Spaniards, staged a triumphal parade into Iloilo City, Spain’s last capital in the Philippines.
Article continues after this advertisementThe parade followed the surrender of Iloilo City by Governor General Diego de los Rios, finally liberating the entire Iloilo province.
The Army led by Gen. Martin Delgado, known as Tan Martin, marched to the beat of “Marcha Libertador” composed by Col. Posidio Delgado and played by the famous Banda del Regimento-72.
Most of the people who went to see the parade on Calle Real cried with joy, shouting “Viva Independencia! Viva Libertad!”
Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research
