Quirino, Elpidio (1890-1956), was president of the Philippines from 1948 to 1953. He enacted an extensive program of industrialization during his term. Ramon Magsaysay defeated him in the 1953 elections.
Quirino was born on Nov. 16, 1890, in Vigan, Ilocos Sur province, on the island of Luzon. In 1915, he graduated with a law degree from the University of the Philippines, in Manila. Quirino served as a member of the Philippine House of Representatives from 1919 to 1925 and was a senator from 1925 to 1935.
When the Philippine Commonwealth was established in 1934, Quirino became secretary of finance. During World War II (1939-1945), the Japanese imprisoned him for three weeks on suspicion of guerrilla activities. After the war, he served as vice president under President Manuel Roxas. He became president when Roxas died suddenly in 1948. Quirino died on Feb. 28, 1956.
