Sergio Osmeña Sr. was born on September 9, 1878, in Cebu, Cebu Province, Central Visayas, Philippines. He was first married to Estefania Rosales "Pepang" Chiong Veloso Osmeña and later to Esperanza Escolar Limjap Osmeña. He completed his early schooling at the Colegio de San Carlos in Cebu, then continued his studies in Manila at Colegio de San Juan de Letran, where he developed strong skills in writing, debate, and political thought. He later studied law at the University of Santo Tomas, graduating with distinction and placing second in the 1903 Philippine Bar Examinations. He was a Filipino lawyer and statesman who served as the fourth President of the Philippines from 1944 to 1946 and the country’s first Vice President from 1935 to 1944. A founder of the Nacionalista Party, he was a central figure in Philippine politics during the American colonial period and the Commonwealth era. Widely respected for his integrity and restraint, he was known as the “Grand Old Man of Cebu” and was the first Visayan to become president.

Osmeña began his public career as governor of Cebu, later becoming the first Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives and a long-serving senator, including a term as Senate president pro tempore. As vice president under Manuel L. Quezon, he served during the difficult years of World War II and the government-in-exile. Upon Quezon’s death in 1944, Osmeña succeeded to the presidency, leading the Commonwealth government during the liberation of the Philippines alongside Allied forces. His presidency focused on restoring civil government, rebuilding war-torn institutions, reestablishing international relations, and preparing the country for full independence in 1946. He died on October 19, 1961, and is now buried in the Manila North Cemetery, Manila, Capital District, National Capital Region, Philippines.

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