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81-398: The Baywalk was greatly improved during the administration of Manila City Mayor Lito Atienza as part of his flagship program "Buhayin ang Maynila" (English: Revitalize Manila). When Mayor Alfredo Lim took office in 2007, he removed the establishments along Baywalk with the reason that they block the sunset. Since then, vagrants have occupied the area and the once vibrant seaside promenade

162-479: A Liberal Party stalwart, was able to keep his post during the entire martial law years by maintaining his clean public service record. He was also one of the first officials to voluntarily step down to allow for a leadership transition after the 1986 People Power Revolution . Bagatsing was an accomplished International Director and Governor of the Lions Clubs International , the longtime Chairman of

243-566: A huge Alabang ranch, where he raised many champion thoroughbreds. Since his death, the annual Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Memorial Cup has been held on his birth anniversary, becoming one of the biggest horse-racing festivals in the country, and whose receipts and earnings go to different charities. Asides from his passion for horses, Bagatsing also dabbled in cattle raising, as well as, enjoyed planting all kinds of fruit bearing trees in his other farms and agricultural properties. A devout and deeply religious man, Bagatsing, along with his wife, Annie,

324-891: A legislator, Bagatsing authored several laws, such as the Philippine Veterans Act, the National Stud Farm Law, the laws creating the Bureau of Immigration , the Integrated Bar of the Philippines , the National Defense College of the Philippines and the Eulogio "Amang" Rodríguez Institute of Science and Technology , among others. After his second term, he joined the Cabinet, becoming the country's chief graft-buster as Head of

405-685: A rather large security detail and even accompanied the American boxer to some of his training sessions. In December 1979, Manila Avenue in Jersey City, New Jersey , the first main thoroughfare in the United States named after the Philippine capital, is inaugurated by Bagatsing together with members of the Jersey City Council before an elated Filipino-American community. Due to their collective effort,

486-621: A security and safety danger and issued an eviction notice to the oil companies. The concern was raised after the terror attacks that started on September 11, 2001, that destroyed the World Trade Center in New York. Atienza and the council decreed that the Pandacan district was to be converted from an industrial zone to a residential-commercial zone. A moratorium was set and the oil companies have agreed to gradually scale down their operations. During

567-417: A splendid procession of select pageant candidates parading around and throughout Manila's inner-streets, communities, and barangays , with the aim of bringing closer together the foreign international beauties and the city's common folk. A pioneer, Bagatsing was among the first City Mayors to establish a Manila Tourism bureau. The following year, adding to its global acclaim, the city's name became renowned in

648-502: A women's livelihood organization. In 1992 while serving as Vice-Mayor, he established the "Home for the Angels," a child care center for abandoned and abused infants. In the areas of urban renewal for the City of Manila, Atienza implemented the "Buhayin ang Maynila" ( transl.  Revive Manila ) program, renovating most of Manila's decaying public facilities such as lighting and improving

729-483: Is a Filipino politician, who served as a 21st Mayor of Manila for three consecutive terms from 1998 to 2007, He also served as the 30th Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources from 2007 to 2009 in the Administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo , and was Party-list Representative for Buhay from 2013 to 2022, as House Deputy Speaker from 2020 to 2022. He unsuccessfully ran for vice president of

810-570: Is the country head of International Finance Company (IFC) in Nepal . Another two sons, Amado and Ramon Jr. (Dondon), were former congressmen representing the Fifth District and Fourth District of Manila , respectively. His eldest son also named Ramon Jr. (Boy) is a former actor. He is the grandfather of siblings Raymond Bagatsing (who will run as Mayor in 2025), RK Bagatsing and Monina Bagatsing, children of Ramon "Boy" Bagatsing Jr. and all in

891-534: The barangay (village) system as the basic socio-political unit for Manila. This was quickly replicated by the national government and still survives to this day. He also set up the Manila Youth Bureau and the Tourism Office of Manila, which was a first for any local government. Bagatsing then spearheaded the awarding of land titles to many of the city's indigent landless families, further endearing him to

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972-550: The 5th district . Ramon Bagatsing Ramon Delaraga Bagatsing Sr. (August 19, 1916 – February 14, 2006) was a Filipino politician, He was the only Filipino of Indian ancestry and person with disability (an amputee ) who served as 17th Mayor of Manila from 1971 to 1986. Bagatsing held the unique distinction of being the only person to survive both the Bataan Death March and the Plaza Miranda bombing in 1971. He

1053-518: The Hiligaynon form Bagatsing has since become standard for the Philippine branch of his family. The young Ramon worked as a bus conductor, night watchman, and security guard to augment his basic and school expenses. To escape the hardships of poverty, he left his home province for Manila . Bagatsing began his stint as a patrolman with the Manila Police Department from 1939 to 1941. When

1134-541: The Liberal Party (Philippines) . Corazon Aquino and Jovito Salonga , inter alia , signed the resolution. Roxas is to unite the two LP factions, and set the stage for his presidential campaign in the 2010 election. Atienza, however, questioned Roxas' appointment, attacking the composition of Liberal Party's National Executive Council (NECO) and alleged that the Supreme Court of the Philippines ' June 5 resolution ordered

1215-574: The Manila City Hall and across the entire stretch of España Boulevard, as well as, the coconut trees on the famous bay-walk of Roxas Boulevard along Manila Bay . Before the life-threatening injuries he sustained in the Plaza Miranda tragedy, Bagatsing was an avid sportsman and created the Manila Sports Council, the city's grassroots sports development office. The Anak ng Maynilà (Child of Manila) Youth Leadership Training Program, which

1296-486: The National Housing Authority (Philippines) in 1986 and he promoted low-cost housing for teachers and police officers. Together with former Manila police general Alfredo Lim running for mayor, Atienza ran for vice mayor of Manila. The two defeated the incumbent slate of then-Mayor Mel Lopez . The tandem won a second term in 1995. When Lim resigned to run for President of the Philippines in 1998 , Atienza

1377-696: The Philippine Red Cross Manila, a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Organization, a past Director of the Philippine Jaycees and the Manila Junior Chamber , and an active leader and solid patron of various charitable institutions. In 1958, Bagatsing founded one of the largest scholarship programs of that time, the Ramon D. Bagatsing Scholarship Foundation, providing thousands of citizens

1458-522: The Plaza Miranda bombing in 1971. After the 1971 elections, Atienza was hired by then Manila Mayor Ramon Bagatsing as chief information officer at the City Hall. He worked under Mayor Bagatsing for almost ten years. He later became a barangay captain in 1972, serving in this capacity for 10 years. During Martial Law, Atienza was arrested twice for exposing human rights abuses under the dictatorship regime of President Ferdinand Marcos . He remained with

1539-650: The Second World War broke out in 1941, he enlisted with the United States Army Forces in the Far East (USAFFE). He began as a first sergeant from 1941 to 1943, was promoted to first lieutenant in 1944, then to captain in 1945, and major in 1946. He is a survivor of the Bataan Death March , where he was able to escape from soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army . For his military service, Bagatsing

1620-521: The University of Santo Tomas . His interest and degree in architecture proved useful in rehabilitating and renewing the City of Manila, which had fallen to decay over years of unmanaged growth in population and the lack of an urban planning & community development. Atienza started his political career in 1968 when he organized the Democratic Youth Movement. He was one of those who survived

1701-525: The " Karga Krus " procession every Good Friday , wherein all devotees take turns bearing a life-size crucifix around the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary , situated in the streets and Barangays of the Parish district. Even in his later years, with advancing age and only one good leg, Bagatsing would religiously lead this special tradition, carrying the heavy Cross with the people beside him. For nearly half-a-century until

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1782-503: The "barangay" was so innovative that then President Marcos adopted it and rolled it out nationwide. This achievement is immortalized and recognized in the historical marker under Bagatsing's portrait at the Manila City hall. The City of Manila was at the height of its stature and prestige during most of Bagatsing's leadership as Makati and Quezon City were still largely undeveloped. It was during this time that Manila, once again, became

1863-488: The American colonial period was one of the last remaining art-deco style buildings that survived World War II . The mayor battled the country's three major oil companies, the partly state-owned and Saudi Aramco managed Petron, Dutch-owned Pilipinas Shell and Caltex-Chevron. Atienza and the Manila City Council decreed that the presence of oil distribution depots in the heavily populated district of Pandacan poised as

1944-445: The City and Borough of San Francisco , overseeing many mutual economic and cultural exchanges involving the two key bay cities, including high-profile back-to-back official missions and "sister-city summits" between then-San Francisco Mayor, now U.S. Senator , Dianne Feinstein and Mayor Bagatsing who visited each other's city, of which emanated a friendship that remained even following their respective mayoral incumbencies. Bagatsing,

2025-553: The City of Manila and for historical reasons, with the gardens an untapped archaeological resource that dates back to the time of the Spanish colonial era. Historians also questioned Atienza's respect for historical architecture when the mayor ordered the demolition of the Manila Jai Alai Building along Taft Avenue to give way to the envisioned Hall of Justice to house the city's regional trial courts. The building, built during

2106-606: The Daza-Drilon Amendments to the LP's Charter. It also ruled that all certificates of nomination signed by Atienza are worthless unless they moved to another political party like Batangas Governor Armando Sanchez and Manny Pacquiao , who moved to KAMPI , and Mike Defensor , who moved to Lakas-CMD , in February 2007. Voting 9–5, the court said the amended Salonga Constitution extended Drilon's term to November 2007. On July 16, 2007,

2187-500: The Home for the Angels. Atienza's urban renewal programs also faced certain controversies when he decided to build a new campus for the Universidad de Manila , (formerly called City College of Manila ) on the historical Mehan Gardens. Environmentalists and historians were opposed to the project stating that Mehan Gardens should remain as an open space, one of the few remaining open spaces in

2268-633: The House of Representatives of the Philippines José Yulo , convinced him to run for Congress in Manila's then third district of Sampaloc , Sta. Mesa , Santa Ana , San Miguel , and Bacood. He was elected Congressman for the first time and was the chairman of the House Veterans Committee. He was elected again as Congressman in 1961 and held the chairmanship of the powerful Justice Committee. As

2349-589: The LP leadership's status quo maintenance. In February 2007, Atienza formally and officially announced that his son, the Presidential Adviser on Youth Affairs and Manila's Chair of the Inner-City Development Committee, Arnold Atienza , would run for mayor of the city on May 14, 2007. Arnold Atienza lost the mayoralty race to Sen. Alfredo Lim, who was also a former mayor. Atienza, a staunch supporter of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ,

2430-551: The Ospital ng Maynila and the building a permanent campus for the Universidad de Manila are among the achievements under Atienza's administration. Atienza is a devout Roman Catholic and under his administration, he pursued programs that were " Pro-Life " and opposed any forms of campaign or programs that promoted contraception or abortion, or sex education programs. All of the City's health centers do not promote "family planning" programs involving contraception . He and his wife founded

2511-698: The Ospital ng Sampaloc, the College of Medicine Building of PLM or the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila , the Plaza Noli, the Rajah Sulayman Plaza, the bigger Manila Public Library, the Dapitan Sports Complex, Tondo High School and other public schools. Bagatsing, an early environmentalist, embarked on a massive citywide tree planting program, personally planting, even watering, most of the trees in and around

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2592-514: The P1,000 budget for the Commission on Human Rights and the re-imposition of the death penalty. He also expressed his intent to campaign for the withdrawal of the reproductive (RH) law that was passed in 2013, or if not possible, he intends to minimize the funding of the law's programs. Atienza also supported the rejection of environment secretary Gina Lopez . Atienza is an investor in the mining industry in

2673-641: The Philippine Armed Forces in the 1960s during the term of President Diosdado Macapagal . A third uncle, Arturo, became a renowned lawyer. The four brothers were all members of the Hunters resistance against the Japanese occupation during World War II. He took up his primary and secondary education from Ateneo de Manila University 's Basic Education Unit and completed a Bachelor's Degree in Architecture from

2754-459: The Philippines in the 2022 elections as the running mate of Senator Manny Pacquiao . He is also well-known for hosting the drama anthology television series Maynila , which aired on GMA Network from 1999 to 2020. Atienza was born on August 10, 1941, in the San Andres Bukid district of Manila, four months before the outbreak of World War II . Atienza's father, Jose J. Atienza Sr.,

2835-518: The Philippines, and has been blocking the national land use bill since his stint as representative. On October 1, 2021, Atienza filed his certificate of candidacy for Vice President for 2022 Philippine presidential election under PROMDI together with Senator Manny Pacquiao for President . Atienza underwent knee replacement surgery in February 2022 days after spraining his foot, making him unable to join Pacquiao in his campaign sorties, as well as

2916-556: The Presidential Agency on Reforms and Government Operations (PARGO) from 1967 to 1969. During his stint at PARGO, Bagatsing was dubbed by the Philippine Free Press as "The Incorruptible" for his prosecution of several high-profile corruption cases against prominent and high-ranking officials, including the conviction and expulsion of a city mayor for graft. In 1969, he ran again for his old congressional seat in Manila and

2997-686: The Supreme Court dismissed with finality a motion for consideration filed by Atienza (en banc resolution dated July 5, 2007). COMELEC earlier ruled that Drilon's term as LP president has already expired and called for the holding of elections to end the leadership vacuum in the country's oldest political party. The ruling came after the poll body invalidated the so-called "rump elections" of LP leaders in March 2006. On November 26, 2007, at Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan , LP National Executive Council officials resolved to appoint Senator Mar Roxas as president of

3078-414: The blast, with shrapnel embedding her stomach, thighs, and hands. This became a rallying point that galvanized support for their party and their electoral campaign. In the 1971 local elections, Bagatsing defeated incumbent Mayor Antonio Villegas for the mayoralty of the City of Manila. Early in his fifteen-year term, he established the first Barangay Bureau in the Philippines, creating the blueprint for

3159-624: The building of an education office and a teacher's dormitory, sparking a lawsuit. The Kalikasan People's Network said that Atienza had no moral authority to be at the helm of the DENR because he had "neither had sterling qualifications nor a clean track record of protecting the environment as former Manila Mayor." In 2010 , Atienza ran for a comeback as Mayor of Manila under Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino , with Manila 6th district councilor Bonjay Isip-Garcia as his running mate for vice mayor. However, he lost to incumbent Mayor Alfredo Lim , who received 59.52% of

3240-466: The bureaucracy in dealing with the city government of Manila. In almost forty years of Atienza's political career, he has established social development projects such as the "Mahal Ko si Lolo, Mahal Ko si Lola" ( transl.  I Love My Grandfather, I Love My Grandmother ) foundation in 1976, a model for today's Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA). In 1984, he also founded the "Kababaihan ng Maynila," ( transl.  The Women of Manila )

3321-448: The capital city of the Philippines, through an executive order by then President Ferdinand Marcos , and evolved to be the center of the country's arts, music, cinema, pop culture and fashion scene with the advent of the so-called disco-craze, the popular Manila Sound , and the classic films of the era, such as Maynila sa mga Kukó ng Liwanag and Manila by Night . It was also during this period that Manila gained further prominence in

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3402-491: The chance to receive quality education. He also had a genuine concern for persons with disabilities, and through the Mahaveer Foundation , would often help underprivileged amputees by giving them artificial prosthetic legs, as well as, wheelchairs and crutches. He obtained his Master of Laws degree in 1971 from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Graduate School (GS) and finished his Doctor of Civil Law degree in 1977 at

3483-502: The community. Atienza appeared in a series of advertisements alongside the Mayor of Townsville from The Powerpuff Girls (voiced by Tom Kenny ) to promote the campaign. Atienza is married to Ma. Evelina Ilagan with six children, including TV hosts Kim Atienza and Chi Atienza-Valdepeñas , athlete-turned-newscaster Ali Atienza , and Manila 3rd district councilor Maile Atienza. The couple's sons Kim and Ali are also former councilors from

3564-437: The driver of the company bus of Elizalde & Co. From 1947 to 1957, he climbed the corporate ladder to become the company's Public Relations and Personnel Manager, and during the same period, passed the bar examinations and became a lawyer. He was also a bank safe and home safety box salesman. Bagatsing first entered public service in the 1957 elections when his province mate, then-presidential candidate and former Speaker of

3645-462: The entertainment industry; professional basketball player Hyram Bagatsing ; 4th district city Councilor Don Juan "DJ" Bagatsing , son of Dondon Bagatsing, and Fifth District of Manila Representative Cristal Bagatsing who served from 2016 to 2022 which is daugther of Amado Bagatsing. On the morning of February 14, 2006, Bagatsing died in his sleep due to cardiac arrest . He was buried beside his wife Juanita, who died almost eight years before him, in

3726-663: The expansion, to the south of Manila, of the Benedictine educational institution of San Beda , which is the present site of the San Beda College Alabang campus, located inside Alabang Hills Village, Muntinlupa . When he was still alive, Bagatsing would always mark his birthday by conducting a two-day spiritual retreat in the company of the imprisoned accused at the Manila City Jail , often breaking bread with them in their cells and leading them to reflection and prayer at

3807-670: The family mausoleum at the Manila South Cemetery . Memorial services were held at the Manila City Hall and at the Our Lady of Loreto Church in the Sampaloc district, which he represented in Congress. Bagatsing is survived by his children Rica, Amado , Ramon "Boy" Jr., Rey, Roy, Ramon "Dondon" Jr. , Jesus, Manuel, Eduardo, Raul, Marilyn, Lani and Valentino. Even after his incumbency and death, Bagatsing continues to be held in high regard by

3888-531: The finest edifices of art deco "streamline-moderne" in the world was destroyed unheeded by the mayor. Barely days after Atienza stepped down from office, his successor, Mayor Alfredo Lim reversed several of the former's civil works projects such as the removal of the promenade along Rizal Avenue and the closure of the cafe and bars along the Roxas Boulevard Baywalk. In a separate development, the former Vice-Mayor Danilo Lacuna accused Atienza of selling out

3969-533: The former Grove Boulevard had been rechristened Manila Avenue upon adoption of local Jersey City Ordinance S-326, which further cemented the partnership among the two major cities and was considered a milestone in global intercity relations and diplomacy. Immediately after advancing Manila's presence in the East Atlantic Seaboard, Bagatsing then focused towards the Pacific side, strengthening its close ties with

4050-521: The international spectrum, becoming the first city in Asia to host the Miss Universe 1974 pageant that saw Spanish beauty Amparo Muñoz win the title, crowned by Filipina Margarita Moran , Miss Universe 1973 . Just days prior to the main event, in order to emphasize and promote the core essence of the Miss Universe movement's advocacy, cause, and purpose, Bagatsing had organised a local festival featuring

4131-459: The only son of President Manuel A. Roxas , whom Bagatsing has shared a special bond with, as both were from Western Visayas as well as being active leaders of the Liberal Party , having entered Congress at the same time in 1957. During the early 1970s, Bagatsing, a prime advocate of education for others, voluntarily set aside nearly ten hectares of his vast farm and village estate in Alabang for

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4212-548: The opposition even if he was on constant threat of incarceration for opposing Marcos. Atienza was first elected as Member of Parliament in the then At-large Congressional District of Manila under the Batasang Pambansa in 1984 and served until Marcos was peacefully ousted during the People Power Revolution of 1986. Under the administration of President Corazon Aquino , Atienza was appointed general manager of

4293-570: The people of Manila as some of his children and grandchildren have been elected, in various times, as well as, at present, to Philippine Congress and the City Councils of Manila, Pasay, and Muntinlupa. In commemoration of his career as mayor and a supporter of horse racing industry, the Bagatsing family organized the Mayor Ramon D. Bagatsing Racing Festival in 2009. The racing festival, usually held at

4374-512: The poor, who were all grateful and glad to have the achievement of finally owning the land of their homes. He also established several multi-sectoral cooperatives especially benefiting the vendors in the city's public markets, providing vital financial assistance and livelihood opportunities for Manila's less fortunate citizens. Many schools, educational institutions, hospitals, health centers, public markets, daycare centers, roads and public parks were built and developed in his incumbency, among them,

4455-417: The present, the "Karga Krus" tradition still faithfully continues with Bagatsing's descendants and the parishioners of Sampaloc . Bagatsing maintained a very close friendship with the Archbishop of Manila , Cardinal Jaime Sin . When both were still alive, he would frequently seek the good Cardinal's advice on many public and, even, personal matters. The same rings true for the late Senator Gerardo Roxas ,

4536-437: The prison chapel. He actually would spend the night in jail, talking and listening to the incarcerated, helping them with their problems before going to bed in a makeshift sleeping area near the prisoners. Of course, they were much to happy to be with Bagatsing, who would also give them plenty of food, clothing, supplies, and legal assistance for their pending cases. This was occasionally featured in various newspapers, usually with

4617-402: The property allocated for the Jose Abad Santos High School in the district of Binondo . Atienza hosted the Philippine television drama romance anthology, Maynila , broadcast by GMA Network from December 13, 1999 (a year after he became Mayor of Manila) until its hiatus in August 1, 2020 due to the implementation of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila amid

4698-416: The same university. As a benefactor of the UST-GS Alumni Association, he supported the association's projects and annual awarding ceremonies through his regular donations. Bagatsing also served as the first president of the Negros Occidental High School (NOHS) Alumni Association, Inc. in the Bacolod . Bagatsing was well known for his love for horses. He successfully revived the Gran Copa de Manila and owned

4779-484: The second week of December 2006, Atienza, in his show of commitment to "Pro-Life," terminated the Commander of the Manila Police District (MPD) detachment in Quiapo district for failing to rid the area of herbalists who are supposedly selling concoctions that induce abortion. Atienza had been severely criticized by cultural activists for his heavy-handed decision to demolish the famed Jai-Alai Building along Taft Avenue, designed by Hollywood architect Welton Beckett . One of

4860-421: The sidewalk by the Manila Bay along Roxas Boulevard and the area is now filled with al fresco restaurants and coffee shops. Public places such as the Plaza Miranda, the Andres Bonifacio monument, Rajah Sulayman, the Binondo areas, the creation of a Linear-Park in Pandacan, renovating Carriedo and the R. Hidalgo streets in Santa Cruz , upgrading services of the city's public libraries, schools and hospitals including

4941-432: The sporting world due to the Thrilla in Manila between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier . The legendary match was actually held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City , but the promoters decided to highlight the City of Manila, with Ali enjoying his stay at the historic Manila Hotel , often jogging around the boulevards of Manila, mingling and interacting with the locals. Because of this, Bagatsing gladly provided Ali with

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5022-416: The surge of COVID-19 cases in the region, where sometimes he acted for some cameo role , who gives advice to the characters. In 2002, Atienza, through the Metro Manila Mayors League, collaborated with children's cable channel Cartoon Network in a civic project entitled "Cartoon Network Mayors' Awards of Excellence" where youths aged 10 to 16 were nominated and awarded for their exemplary contributions to

5103-416: The tongue-in-cheek headline " Bagatsing in Jail ", which never failed to put a smile on the face of Bagatsing and the fellow inmates. Throughout his life, Bagatsing was fondly called " Bumbáy " (a colloquial, slightly derogatory Filipino term for the Indians , derived from Bombay ), by his friends and constituents because of his Indian ancestry and strong facial features including his large Indian nose, and

5184-438: The vice presidential debates. He lost the race with 270,381 votes, placing 5th behind Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte . Atienza's leadership can be described into three aspects; (1) social and community development – where he focused on improving the welfare of senior citizens and of children, especially for abandoned children, (2) improving living conditions by improving government services and facilities, and (3) simplifying

5265-464: The votes. In 2013, Atienza became the representative of Buhay Partylist in the House of Representatives. He opposed the divorce bill and tried to oppose the anti-discrimination bill as well, but withdrew after seeing a massive backlash against him. He also opposes the department of culture bill and the civil union bill. Atienza supports the Philippine Drug War , ironic since it is the complete opposite of his party's advocacies. Other moves he supports are

5346-420: The welfare of the city's workers and public school teachers by increasing their salaries, wages and benefits. It was also in 1973 when Bagatsing established the Manila Barangay Bureau which recognized and institutionalized the barangay (village) as the basic political unit, this was an administrative first in local governance which enabled basic services to be delivered at the grassroots level. The establishment of

5427-427: The world as the founding chairman of the Philippine Anti-Communist League. Bagatsing was one of the survivors of the Plaza Miranda bombing on August 21, 1971, which was at that time considered one of the bloodiest political massacres in Philippine history. Nine were killed and almost a hundred more—including Bagatsing—were wounded after two grenades were thrown on the stage by still-unknown assailants. The public rally

5508-450: Was a distinguished public servant to three Philippine presidents . An uncle, Hermenegildo Atienza , was a World War II guerrilla leader and after the war was appointed Military Mayor of Manila by Gen. Douglas MacArthur himself and one of the founders of the Liberal Party in 1946. Another uncle, Rigoberto Atienza, a World War II veteran, a victim of the Bataan Death March and former Philippine Army commanding general, became Chief of Staff of

5589-407: Was a leading figure in the relationship between the Philippines and India . Bagatsing married his first wife Corazon Cabigo Belmonte (June 1917 - before 1944) on September 13, 1939, in Manila . After his first wife's death, he married his second wife Juanita "Annie" Humbria Sevilla (May 4, 1918 in Carigara , Leyte - August 10, 1998) on August 19, 1944, in Manila . His son Valentino Bagatsing

5670-440: Was a self-help seminar and spiritual improvement retreat, regularly held in the nearby rural, coastal and mountain areas of Cavite , Batangas and Alabang, was also implemented by Bagatsing, as the multitudes of Manila's young, the children and students, especially the disadvantaged, would always look forward, with eager anticipation and excitement, to be part of this worthwhile endeavor. Bagatsing also made sure to take good care of

5751-403: Was again re-elected in 2001 and finally in 2004 . During his term as mayor, numerous heritage buildings in Manila were demolished, notably the Jai Alai Building , which used to be the best Art Deco building in all of Asia before its demolition. The Supreme Court ruled on April 17, 2007, that Franklin Drilon was the real president of the Liberal Party and not Atienza and has approved

5832-1011: Was awarded the American Defense Ribbon, the Philippine Defense Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the Asia-Pacific Campaign Medal and the Plaque of the Silver Kris of the Philippine Veterans Federation. He was National Commander of the Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor and a member of the Philippine Veterans Legion, American Legion and American Disabled Veterans. With the war over, he continued his law studies while working as

5913-682: Was born on August 19, 1916, in Fabrica , Sagay , to an ethnic Filipino mother Dionisia Delaraga and Amado Bagatsing, a Punjabi immigrant from British Raj India ,. His father, originally named Mataram Siṅgh Baṅgā, had arrived after the bloody British Raj Colonial destructions and who, later inspired by the deeds of famous Indian revolutionary Bhagat Siṅgh , founded the Manila chapter of the Indian Indian Ghadar Party . Thereafter he changed his name from Mataram Siṅgh Baṅgā ( Punjabi : ਬੰਗਾ ) to Amado Bhagat Siṅgh ( Punjabi : ਭਗਤ ਸਿੰਘ ), of which

5994-403: Was briefly clinically dead until he was revived by emergency medical staff in the hospital, being confined for almost three months while undergoing numerous delicate operations. Shrapnel fragments damaged Bagatsing's lower abdomen, right arm, and right cheek bone, and Bagatsing's leg was amputated, badly damaging also his abdomen, right cheek bone and right arm. His wife, Juanita, was also hurt in

6075-522: Was elevated to mayor to finish Lim's second term. He won his first full term in 1998 and took his oath of office on June 24. After former president Joseph Estrada 's arrest on April 25, 2001, Atienza claimed during a radio interview to have brought numerous Estrada supporters to the pro-Estrada rally at the EDSA Shrine , which preceded the May 1 riots caused by the rallyists' march to Malacañang Palace . Atienza

6156-755: Was gone. Afterwards, the national government undertook a rehabilitation of the Baywalk after it was destroyed by storm surges . In 2020, a beach, called Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach , was constructed along the shores of the Baywalk. The program for creating the artificial beach was launched in January 2019 under the management of Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Roy Cimatu . 14°34′06″N 120°58′59″E  /  14.56844°N 120.98293°E  / 14.56844; 120.98293 Lito Atienza Jose " Lito " Livioko Atienza Jr. ( Tagalog pronunciation: [ɐˈtʃɛnsa] ; born August 10, 1941)

6237-587: Was meant to be Bagatsing's official proclamation as mayoral candidate for Manila of the opposition Liberal Party . He was among the three most critically injured, along with Senators Jovito Salonga and Sergio Osmeña, Jr. , who nearly lost their lives as they were front and center on the elevated platform, which was the epicenter of the bomb blast. Others who were also hurt included prominent Philippine politicians such as Gerardo Roxas , Eva Estrada-Kalaw , Genaro Magsaysay , Ramon Mitra , Eddie Ilarde , Salipada Pendatun , Roberto Oca Jr. and John Osmeña . Bagatsing

6318-523: Was named Environment Secretary on July 18, 2007, replacing Angelo Reyes , who was moved to the Department of Energy after incumbent Raphael Lotilla resigned. Atienza's appointment came as a shock to environmental groups, who had dubbed him as the "butcher of Arroceros." As Manila mayor, Atienza in 2003 enraged environmentalists when he ordered the closure of the Arroceros Forest Park to give way to

6399-575: Was overwhelmingly elected to a third term. During his ten years, or three terms, in the Philippine House of Representatives , Bagatsing was consistently awarded and included in the lists of the country's "Ten Most Outstanding Congressmen" and "The 10 Most Useful Legislators of the Republic". He was a leading reformer and a relentless crusader against the spread of communism in the Asia-Pacific region of

6480-454: Was the military hero for the Liberation of Manila during the Second World War . Before occupying the city's highest office, Bagatsing served as a Representative to Congress for Manila, member of Cabinet , lawyer, lay minister , and policeman. He earned the moniker "The Incorruptible" for his clean record in public service and for his unwavering anti-graft and corruption stance. Bagatsing

6561-566: Was very active and supportive of the Catholic Church , especially in Manila's Sampaloc area, his home district, as he was very instrumental in having helped build many structures essential to the different Parishes and Church groups of the city. Moreover, Bagatsing is revered for founding a long-continuing annual Holy Week tradition in Sampaloc, which is the public Way of the Cross , popularly known as

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