The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen commemorated the 125th Birth Anniversary of President Elpidio Quirino, the 6th President of the Republic of the Philippines, from 17 April 1948 to 30 December 1953, with a commemorative program on 13 November 2015 at the Consulate General’s Bulwagang Bagumbayan.
The program was attended by members of the Filipino community in Xiamen including officers of the Filipino Association in Xiamen (FAX), teachers from the Manila-Xiamen International School (MXIS), Cambridge International School (Red Oar Kindergarten), and Sky Avenues International Kindergarten.
In his message, Consul General Julius Caesar A. Flores cited President Quirino’s humble beginnings from a barrio teacher to becoming the President of the Philippines. He underscored Quirino’s remarkable values of tolerance and goodwill as exemplified by his presidential pardon for Japanese soldiers still in detention in 1953 for World War II atrocities. He also mentioned President Quirino’s valuable role as a member of the Philippine Independence mission to the U.S. as well as his impressive knowledge of foreign relations with his skillful stirring of Philippine foreign policy during his stint as Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
Subsequent to Consul General Flores’ remarks, a short video clip on the life of President Quirino was shown followed by sharing and exchanges of views with the audience. END
