He received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle of Bataan. Calugus was born on December 29, 1907 in Barrio Tagsing, Leon, Iloilo, Philippines. Calugas was a Sergeant in Battery B of the 88th Field Artillery of the Philippine Scouts when he was awarded the medal on January 6, 1942 at Culis in the Bataan Province.
Isinilang si Quirino sa Vigan, Ilocos Sur Noong Nobyembre 16, 1890 kina Mariano Quirino at Gregoria Rivera. Nagtapos siya ng abogasya sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas (University of the Philippines) noong 1915.