José Yulo Day in Calamba Date in the current year: September 24, 2024

José Yulo was born on September 24, 1894 in Bago, Negros Occidental. He studied law at the University of the Philippines and passed the bar in 1913. However, Yulo did not practice law until two years later due to his young age. Upon finally starting his legal career, he established a successful practice and soon came to be regarded as one of the best corporate lawyers in the Philippines.

Yulo’s career in politics and government began in 1934, when Governor-General Frank Murphy appointed Yulo as Secretary of Justice. The next year, President Manuel L. Quezon reaffirmed his appointment, and Yulo held the post until 1938.

Following the establishment of the unicameral National Assembly of the Philippines in 1935, Yulo was elected to the Assembly as a representative of Negros Occidental. In 1939, he became the Speaker of the National Assembly. After the transformation of the National Assembly back into a bicameral legislature, Yulo was elected to the Senate in 1941. However, the elected senators did not start to serve due to Imperial Japan invading the Philippines a month after the election.

During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, Yulo was a member of the Preparatory Committee for Philippine Independence. Upon the establishment of the Japanese-backed Second Philippine Republic in 1943, he was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by Japanese Governor-General of the Philippines Masaharu Homma. Despite pressure from the occupational government, Yulo is said to have maintained the integrity of the judiciary system.

After the war, Yulo was briefly arrested by the Counter-Intelligence Corps of the US Army for collaborating with the Japanese. However, he was let go and served his elected Senate term until the 1946 general election.

In 1953, Yolo participated in the presidential election as the vice presidential candidate and running mate of Elpidio Quirino, but the duo lost to Ramon Magsaysay and his running mate Carlos P. Garcia. In 1957, Yulo ran for president but lost to Garcia. In 1966, President Ferdinand Marcos appointed Yulo as Secretary of Justice, a post Yulo held until August 4, 1967.

In addition to his political career, Yulo owned and ran the Canlubang Sugar Estate in Calamba, Laguna, which he and his family bought in 1948. Today, Canlubang is one of the main industrial zones outside Manila, in no small part thanks to the Yulo family.

José Yulo’s birth anniversary was designated as a special non-working holiday in Calamba to highlight his contributions and accomplishments. José Yulo Day in Calamba should not be confused with Carlos Yulo Day in Manila. The latter is celebrated on August 4 in honor of the Filipino artistic gymnast who worn gold medals at the floor exercise and vault events at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.