18 February 2016 - The Philippine Consulate General New York, in partnership with the President Elpidio Quirino Foundation, will host a commemorative event to mark the 60th death anniversary of President Elpidio Quirino, 6th President of the Philippines, in the evening of February 29 at the Philippine Center New York.
The event will coincide with the re-interment of President Quirino at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Manila in a ceremony to be held on the same day, led by President Benigno S. Aquino III and members of the Quirino family. Video footage of the re-interment ceremony will be screened during the event.
The commemorative event will consist of reflections on President Quirino’s life and legacy.
Philippine Consul General to New York Mario L. de Leon, Jr. will talk on President Quirino as the Father of the Philippine Foreign Service.
Mr. Elpidio “Elpi” Pineda Quirino, grand-nephew of President Quirino and one of the members of the Board of Advisers of the President Elpidio Quirino Foundation, together with his wife, Elizabeth Ann, will narrate how his Lolo Elpidio's passion and commitment to the Philippines remains inspirational to this day.
Ms. Lilia Clemente, a Filipina trailblazer on Wall Street, will present how President Quirino focused on the economic rebuilding of the country in the aftermath of World War II. Ms. Clemente's grandfather, Melecio Fabros, was President Quirino's Customs Commissioner during the Quirino term.
Dr. Jesus Ligot, Jr., a Quirino grand-nephew and a psychiatrist specializing in post-traumatic stress syndrome, will give a talk on how President Quirino demonstrated resilience and fortitude in spite of the tragic death of his wife Alicia Syquia Quirino and their three children during the Battle of Manila in February 1945.
Michael Quirino Martinez, President Quirino’s great-grandson, will give the closing remarks.
During the event, the family of President Quirino in the United States will also launch the book they co-authored, titled "Statesman and Survivor Elpidio Quirino, 6th President of the Philippines," which is available on Amazon.com and Blurb.com.
The commemorative event will be a fitting tribute to President Quirino, complementing the honor accorded to him by the country through his re-interment at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Manila, his rightful resting place, alongside past Philippine presidents, heroes and war veterans. END