Tomas Morato

This article is about the Spanish-born Filipino politician. For the street in Quezon City, see Tomas Morato Avenue.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Morató and the second or maternal family name is Bernabéu.

Colonel Tomás Morató
Morato as an Army Officer
1st Mayor of Quezon City
In office November 9, 1939 – July 19, 1942
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Ponciano Bernardo
Member of the House of Representatives from Tayabas's 2nd district
In office May 25, 1946 – December 30, 1949
Preceded by	Francisco Lavides
Succeeded by	Gaudencio V. Vera
Member of the National Assembly from Tayabas
In office 1943–1944
Mayor of Calauag, Tayabas
In office 1934–1938
Preceded by	Jacinto Lerum
Succeeded by	José Jiménez
Personal details
Born	Tomás Eduardo Morató Bernabéu (1887-07-03)July 3, 1887 Xàbia, Alicante, Spain
Died	March 6, 1965(1965-03-06) (aged 77) Quezon City, Philippines
Resting place	Manila North Cemetery
Nationality	Filipino
Political party	Liberal Party Nacionalista
Spouse(s)	Cecilia Racoma Pica Consuelo Eclavea Lim
Domestic partner	Marcela Spanya
Children	12 (including Manuel)
Residence(s)	Calauag, Tayabas Quezon City
Occupation	Lumberman, politician
Military service
Allegiance	Philippine Commonwealth
Branch/service	Philippine Army
Years of service	1942-1946
Rank	Colonel
Commands	Philippine Army
Battles/wars	World War II * Japanese Occupation (1942-1944) * Allied Liberation (1944-1945)

Tomas Eduardo Bernabeu Morato (born Tomás Eduardo Morató Bernabéu, July 3, 1887 – March 6, 1965) was a Spanish-born Filipino businessman and politician of full-blooded Spanish ethnicity who became the first Quezon City Mayor from 1939 to 1942.

Early life and career

Morato was born on July 3, 1887 in the picturesque seaport of Alicante on the Mediterranean coast of Spain to Francisco Morató Arabí and Josefa Bernabéu Ferrer. His father was a ship captain who sailed from Spain to the Philippines and frequently stopped at the coastal town of Calauag, Tayabas. An only son, Tomas was brought to Calauag in 1898 by his father. There the 13-year-old boy first met and studied with the 22-year-old Quezon. Tomas finished his engineering course and entered the lumber business where he amassed quite a fortune. By virtue of a provision in the Treaty of Paris which granted Filipino citizenship to all Spaniards who have decided to stay in the Philippines, Morato became a Filipino citizen.

Friendship with Quezon

President Manuel L. Quezon (1935-1944) climbs up the grand staircase of Malacañan Palace with aide-de-camp Col. Manuel Nieto and Presidential Guard Battalion Commander Col. Manzano.

It was in Baler where he met Manuel L. Quezon, the 2nd President of the Philippines, and became friends with him. His friendship with Quezon was a rare and unique one. They courted girls together and helped each other during difficult times.

When Quezon was elected president in 1935, he entered Malacañang for the first time with Morato and Manuel L. "Nonong" Quezon, Jr. And thereafter, Morato was one of the very few people who could enter Malacañang at all times, even staying overnight in some often cases.

Quezon himself urged Morato to enter politics, so he ran as Mayor of Calauag and won with ease. At his second term, Quezon invited him to help build a new city, a city that would later be known as Quezon City.

Mayor of Quezon City

Morato was a leader full of energy, taking difficult tasks that hinders growth and progress of the new city. Even though his administration faced low funds, it was able to create a network of new roads, and maintenance of satisfactory health conditions. With a police force of 48, crime rates remained at controlled levels. He also promoted social and economic programs to alleviate the condition of the residents.

The first musical piece composed for Quezon City was the “Quezon City March”, which was composed by Amando Calleja and the lyrics made by Jesus Balmori. The sponsors of this musical piece were the officials and members of the Cubao Women’s Club headed by Morato's wife.

He was arrested by the Imperial Japanese troops was entered in Quezon City Hall by the enemy hands during their occupation and ended the term as mayor of the city and became parole and exile on July 19, 1942 during World War II.

Death

He died on March 6, 1965; his remains were interred at the Manila North Cemetery.

Legacy

The popular restaurant row Tomas Morato Avenue, as well as a road in San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City were named after him. A barangay (Don Tomas) and a street in Calauag, Quezon were also named in memory of the last municipal President and first municipal Mayor of Calauag, Quezon.

External links

• Tomas Morato at Find a Grave