1890
- Born in Vigan
- Graduated from elementary school,
- Teacher at Capariaan while studying in high school.
- Transferred to Manila to finish high school at (SCHOOL)
- Enrolled at the University of the Philippines
1910s
1915
- Graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Law, passed the Bar Examination with the second highest grade.
- Employed by the Philippine Commission, the legislative body.
1916
- Employed by Manuel L. Quezon as assistant and secretary, in the new Philippine Assembly.
- Married Alicia Syquia of Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
- Elected Congressman representing the First District of Ilocos Sur.
- Elected Senator representing the (Region)
1930s
1934
- Joined Manuel L. Quezon on the independence mission that lobbied the US Congress for the Tydings-McDuffie Act that created the Commonwealth of the Philippines and promised independence to the Philippines.
1935
- Member of the Constitutional Convention that created the 1935 Constitution of the Philippines
- Appointed Secretary of Finance in the first Cabinet of President Manuel L. Quezon, later appointed Secretary of Interior
1937
- Implemented Women’s Suffrage upon ratification by 90% of voters.
1940s
1941
- Reelected Senator
- Founding Dean of the College of Law of Adamson University
- Start of the War in the Pacific (World War II)
1945
- Battle of Manila, wife Alicia and three children killed by Japanese sniper fire
- Elected Senate President Protem with the reopening of the Philippine Senate
1946
- Elected Vice President of the Commonwealth with President Manuel A. Roxas, served as Secretary of Finance
- Independence of the Republic of the Philippines
- Oath-taking as Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines
- Appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs, established overseas diplomatic missions in the United Nations, the Americas, Europe and Asia.
1948
- Assumed the presidency upon the death of President Roxas.
- Established the Social Security Commission as precursor of the SSS.
- Granted absolute amnesty to the Hukbalahap.
1949
- Established the Central Bank, precursor of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
- Elected President of the Republic.
1950s
1950
- Baguio Conference with representatives of the Republic of China, Australia, Indonesia, India, Ceylon, Pakistan, Australia, Thailand and the Philippines.
