Fernando Zobel and Jaime Zobel de Ayala with Louie G. Gonzalez, Boling Reyes, Cory Quirino, Ruby Q. Gonzalez, Pinky Valdes with Cecilia, Justin, Daniel and Poncy Quirino at the launch of Elpidio & Alicia: The Love Letters at the Ayala Museum
To commemorate President Elpidio Quirino’s 125th birthday, there were numerous events to honor him. This son of Ilocos Sur was born in 1890, starting his career as a barrio teacher and becoming a lawyer in 1915. He joined politics as an Ilocos Sur representative in 1919, eventually becoming senator, vice president and the sixth president of our country upon the untimely death of Manuel Roxas in 1948.
Marrying the love of his life, Ilocos heiress Alicia Syquia in 1921, they had five children and an idyllic marriage. However, the family encountered huge personal losses during the country’s liberation in 1945 when Manila suffered merciless bombings and killings. I remember my mother, Nati Osorio Aguinaldo, recounting the horrors of not only witnessing, but experiencing the cruelty of the enemy (Japanese) soldiers who would randomly bayonet wounded citizens and passersby amid sniper attacks. Among the fatalities were Alicia Syquia and her three young children, as well as six other family members. Only their children Tommy and Vicky survived.
To commemorate his life and accomplishments, the Ayala Museum featured the launch of Elpidio & Alicia: The Love Letters book by Rene Guatlo. Highlight was the donation of two Amorsolo portraits of President Quirino and Vicky Quirino-Gonzalez from the family’s private collection, which were graciously accepted by Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala, chairman emeritus, Ayala Foundation.
The love letters between the couple cover the period when they were already husband and wife. During the early years of their marriage, Elpidio was based in Manila because of his law practice and political life. On the other hand, Alicia preferred to stay in Vigan where she raised their children. The exchange gives us a picture of life during the American period — a time of learning and preparation for eventual independence. We are brought back to a more genteel way of life that showed Manila as a beautiful and clean city that used calesas and tranvias as the main forms of transportation.
While Alicia did not live long enough to witness her husband’s election to the highest office, her spirit lived on in the person of her children, Tommy and Vicky. The young Vicky became her father’s official first lady during his term (1948-1953). As was customary during that time, she was active in social and civic works.
Quirino’s six years as president covered a period of post-war reconstruction with strong economic gains.
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