Our Ilocano Presidents

Among the 14 Philippine presidents, five are of Ilocano descent. Four are Tagalogs (Aguinaldo, Quezon, Laurel and Estrada), three Kapampangans (Macapagal, Aquino, and Arroyo), one Cebuano (Osmeña) and one Ilonggo (Roxas). Some even claimed that Aguinaldo is Ilocano and is related to the Aguinaldos of Ilocos Norte but it was never proven.

The truth that five Ilocanos had run the country, we can see that Ilocanos has the capability to lead. As been proven and seen in Philippine history, many Ilocanos became great leaders of revolts and propagandas when the country was under colonizers. From unknown farmers in Dingras rebellion to the World War II guerilla leaders, from Pedro Almazan to Gregorio Aglipay,and from Gabriela Silang to Josefa LLanes-Escoda.

When the Philippines became independent, a new face came for the Ilocano leadership. Before, they lead people in advocacies, propagandas and battles. Now, its the country to lead against economic problems and toward unity and progress.

Ferdinand Marcos when he was first running for a seat in Congress said to Ilocos Norte people, "Elect me now as your congressman and I promise an Ilocano president in 20 years".

But before this was fulfilled, Elpidio Quirino of Ilocos Sur became the first Ilocano president in 1948 after the death of Roxas. He was elected as a president the next year in his own right.

When Quirino ran for reelection in 1953, he was defeated by fellow Ilocano, Ramon Magsaysay of Zambales.

Magsaysay died in a plane crash in 1957 and was succeeded by then Vice President Carlos P. Garcia of Bohol. Garcia is of Ilocano descent because both of his parents were from Abra.

Next in line was Ferdinand Marcos of Ilocos Norte when he won the presidential election in 1965, thus fulfilling his prophetic speech that an Ilocano would become a president after 20 years.

Fidel V. Ramos of Pangasinan became the fifth Ilocano president in 1992.

The terms of these Ilocano presidents bacame big marks in Philippine history. And a strong proof that Ilocanos are great leaders. In the past, today, and the future, Ilocanos were, are, and will be always be a good leader. A leader to himself, to a family, to an organization, to a community and to every part of society.