Frisco San Juan Sr.
Frisco R. San Juan Sr. | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 1966 | |
| Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Rizal's Second District | |
| In office 1965–1972 | |
| Preceded by | Francisco Sumulong |
| Succeeded by | District abolished following Martial Law under Ferdinand Marcos |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Frisco R. San Juan July 21, 1922 Cardona, Rizal, Philippines |
| Died | February 18, 2019 (aged 96) |
| Party | Nacionalista |
| Spouse | Amalia Santos |
| Children | 6 |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation |
|
Frisco R. San Juan Sr. (July 21, 1922 – February 18, 2019) was a Filipino politician, civil engineer, and decorated World War II guerrilla leader. He represented the Second District of Rizal in the Philippine House of Representatives from 1965 until the abolition of Congress in 1972. He was a trusted adviser to President Ramon Magsaysay and served as chairman of the Presidential Complaints and Action Committee (PCAC).
Early life and education
San Juan was born on July 21, 1922, in Cardona, Rizal, to Simplicio San Juan, a hardworking fisherman, and Juana Francisco. As a young boy, he worked selling peanuts, candies, and as a bootblack.[1]
He attended Binangonan Elementary School and graduated from Rizal High School in 1939 as one of the top members of his class.[1] San Juan entered the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City, graduating in 1944. After the war, he completed the Infantry Officers' Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, United States in 1946 and earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Mapúa University in 1949.[2]
Military career
During World War II, San Juan served in the resistance movement as the chief of staff of the Hunters-Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Guerrillas with the rank of lieutenant colonel.[1] The Hunters ROTC was a group organized by Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and ROTC cadets who were disallowed to serve in the army because of their young age. The unit conducted raids, infiltrated enemy strongholds, and provided vital intelligence for General Douglas MacArthur's return to the Philippines.[1]
He received the Philippine Gold Cross, Military Merit Medal, Philippine Defense Medal, and Liberation Medal, including recognition for his actions during the liberation of Ipo Dam. From the United States, he was awarded the Presidential Distinguished Unit Badge, Asiatic Defense Medal, American Defense Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Southwest Pacific Area Combat Medal, and World War II Medal. Internationally, he received the Medal of Honor (First Class) from South Vietnam and the Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol (Chevalier grade) from the Kingdom of Laos.[1]
Political career
After the war, San Juan served as executive director of the Rizal Economic Development Commission under Governor Isidro Rodriguez. He focused on economic programs for the province and initiated the Laguna Lake development project to promote industrial and agricultural growth in the bay area.[2] In 1965, he was elected to Congress representing the Second District of Rizal, defeating former representative Francisco Sumulong by more than 21,000 votes. He served two terms until Congress was abolished in 1972 following the declaration of Martial Law. In Congress, he authored and sponsored legislation that became Republic Act 4850, creating the Laguna Lake Development Authority to preserve and develop Laguna Lake.[3]
San Juan also served as National Commander of the Philippine Veterans Legion from 1954 to 1957, Assistant Commandant and associate professor in the Department of Military Science and Tactics at the University of the Philippines in 1947, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation from 1960 to 1963, and as president and board chairman of Eastern Construction Company, Inc.[1]
Personal life and death
San Juan married Amalia Santos, a physician and public health specialist from Tanay, Rizal. The couple had six children, namely Guia Salvacion, Frisco Jr., Reginaldo, Napoleon, Davina, and Rachel, who is deceased.[1]
San Juan passed away on February 18, 2019, a day after the birthday of his son Reginaldo. He was 96 years old.[3]
Legacy
People in Rizal referred to him as "Lolo Frisco" and remembered him for his service in both government and the military, as well as for his role in the preservation and management of Laguna Lake.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g House of Representatives, Philippines. Congress (1946-1949). (1967). Official Directory of the House of Representatives: Hon. Frisco San Juan – The Philippine Congress, 1965–1972. Bureau of Print. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Philippine Government Elective Officials: Semi-pictorial Directory (Second Edition). Urera Publishing Co., LTD. 1966. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
- ^ a b c Ynares, Dr. Jun (2019-03-03). "Lolo Frisco: True Rizaleño". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved February 7, 2026.