Significant Events in March in Filipino History
Antoon Postma, born on March 28, 1929, in the Netherlands, was a distinguished Dutch anthropologist and paleographer who dedicated his life to studying and preserving the culture of the Mangyan people in the Philippines. His journey began in 1958 when he arrived in Mindoro as a SVD missionary.
Camilo Osias, born on March 28, 1889, in Balaoan, La Union, was a distinguished Filipino educator, writer, and statesman. His parents, Manuel Osias and Gregoria Olaviano, instilled in him a passion for learning and public service from a young age.
On May 28, 1943, Shigenori Kuroda (黒田 重徳) was made Japanese military governor of the Philippines, succeeding General Shizuichi Tanaka. General Kuroda later became the first Commander in Chief of the Japanese 14th Area Army in the Philippines from July 28 to September 26, 1944. He was the third Japanese military governor of the country.
On March 28, 1945, Rodrigo Roa Duterte was born in Maasin, Leyte (present day Southern Leyte). He is a Filipino lawyer and politician who served as the 16th president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. Duterte is the first president of the Philippines from Mindanao, and is the oldest person to assume office, beginning his term at age 71.
On March 28, 1907, Governor James Francis Smith issued peace certificate declaring that since the publication of the Philippine Census in 1905 there had been no serious disturbances of the public order save those by outlaws and religious fanatics and that the great mass of the Filipino people for the previous two years had been "law-abiding, peaceful and loyal to the United States".
On March 28, 1979, President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed into law the Dairy Industry Development Act of 1979, meant to accelerate the production, processing, marketing and distribution of local milk products.
On March 29, 1936, Quirino Navarro, a distinguished Filipino scientist and pioneer in nuclear chemistry, was born in Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro. His life's work would leave an indelible mark on Philippine science, blending academic rigor with a passion for advancing knowledge in a field that was then in its infancy in the country.
On March 30, 1955, Marilou Diaz-Abaya was born. She was a renowned figure in the world of Philippine cinema. Her illustrious career spanned over three decades, during which she made significant contributions to the industry as a film director.