She was sworn in as the 14th President of the Philippines on January 20, 2001 by Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide Jr. President Arroyo won once again in the 2004 elections.

President Arroyo was born April 5, 1947, the daughter of President Diosdado P. Macapagal, a descendant of Lakandula and known as the "poor boy from Lubao’’ in Pampanga, and of Dr. Evangelina Macaraeg Macapagal of Binalonan, Pangasinan, who was equally known for her integrity and simple but dignified lifestyle.

As a student, President Arroyo upheld the high academic standards of her parents, graduating valedictorian of her high school class in Assumption Convent. She studied for two years at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, where former US President Bill Clinton was her classmate. She graduated magna cum laude from Assumption College with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce. She later earned a Master of Arts degree in Economics from the Ateneo de Manila University, and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of the Philippines.

She entered government service as an Assistant Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry during the administration of President Corazon C. Aquino. She became Executive Director of the Garments and Textile Export Board, steering the garments industry to become the top net dollar earner for the country, then Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry.

During her tenure in the Senate, she authored 55 laws on economic and social reform and was named outstanding Senator several times. Elected Vice President with President Joseph E. Estrada, he pointed her as concurrent Secretary of Social Welfare and Development. As Head of State, she continues to implement the reforms needed to bring about economic development, political stability, and social cohesion for the country.

We wish President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo good health and long life on the occasion of her 58th Birth Anniversary.