The U.S. Census Bureau continually strives to ensure an accurate count of 

the people of the United States. For this reason, it has always embraced 

the hiring of a diverse workforce representative of the local communities. 

In the middle of the 19th century, the United States expanded west into 

areas formerly governed by Spain and Mexico. Since many of the citizens 

and local officials only spoke Spanish, the Census Office quickly realized 

that it needed to employ workers fluent in the language. The 

establishment of a permanent Census Bureau in 1903 and increased 

immigration from Cuba and Central and South America expanded the 

need for Spanish-speaking employees both in the field and at 

headquarters.

Tranquilino Bautista Aquino, called Frank, was born on July 6, 1907, in 

the Philippine municipality of Binmaley, to Alipio and Juliana Bautista 

Aquino. In 1929, Frank immigrated to Berkeley, California, where he 

attended the University of California. At UC Berkeley Frank earned his 

B.A. in political sciences in 

1934, followed by his 

master’s degree in political science in 1935. Following 

his graduation, Frank worked as an economist for the 

Works Progress Administration (WPA), where he 

focused on the Filipino economy using information 

from the Department of Commerce. When the WPA 

became part of the Federal Work Agency in 1939, 

Frank went along, and soon found himself helping to 

standup America’s wartime economy as the clouds of 

World War II gathered on the horizon.

By 1941, Frank had relocated to Washington, DC, where he courted 

and wed fellow government employee Virginia Everett. Frank 

continued working towards the war effort—at the Office of Price 

Administration and the War Production Board—until it was his turn 

to serve. In July 1942, Frank enlisted in the U.S. Army Signal Corps.

He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant and worked mainly as a trainer 

in the Signal Corp Replacement Training Center in California. In 

1945, Frank returned to the newly redesignated Civilian Production 

Administration, the peacetime incarnation of the War Production 

Board.

 

Filipino Economist

Counterparts, 27 Aug 1954.

The Washington Post

(Washington, DC) 9 June 1946.

Frank’s 1930 census, as a student in Berkeley, CA.
By 1946, wartime production and services ended and 

Frank, by this time an experienced statistician, came to the 

Industry Division of the Census Bureau. Frank’s timing was 

fortunate, in 1946 the Secretary of Commerce, Henry A. 

Wallace, outlined new benefits for returning U.S. 

Commerce Department veterans. Although the Selective 

Service Act guranteed returning employees their previous 

jobs, many had missed promotions and raises by being 

absent for several years. Secretary Wallace’s directives set 

the stage for veterans to receive broadscale, in-grade, and 

replacement promotions upon return.

During his time at the Census Bureau, Frank worked in 

both the Industry and Foreign Trade divisions. After 

spending 10 years in five different government 

organizations, Frank’s 10 years at the Census Bureau finally 

allowed him to stay in one place. The employees of the 

Census Bureau gladly welcomed Frank, not only because of 

his knowledge of international economics, but 

because of his prowess as a bowler. Within his first 

year, Frank was known as one of the best bowlers in 

the building, and served as the team captain of the 

Industry Division men’s bowling team. When he 

changed divisions, the Census Bureau’s newsletter

noted, “Foreign Trade’s men bowlers welcome 

Tranquilino Aquino like the Washington Senators 

welcome a home run.”

In 1937, Frank began working towards a second 

advanced degree, this time in economics. He 

attended a variety of universities in the Washington, 

DC area, including George Washington University, 

American University, and Georgetown University. In 

1955, Frank completed his dissertation on the 

Philippine economy and earned his PhD.

Following his domination of the Census Bureau bowling 

league in 1956, Frank left the Census Bureau and headed to 

the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as a supervisory 

statistician. He then became chief of Statistical Services in the 

Bureau of Economics at the FTC until his retirement in 1971.

Although Frank devoted almost his entire life to his adopted 

country, he remained proud of his heritage. As a young man 

in the late 1930s, Frank served as an officer of the Filipino 

Students Club in Washington, DC, and later he would take 

part in the Philippine-American Association. When the 

Washington Post wrote incorrect or politically slanted articles 

about the Philippines, Frank would send a letter to the editor 

to ensure Filipino voices were heard. In addition to his work 

with Filipino groups, Frank enjoyed membership in the 

American Statistical Association and the American Economics 

Association. On November 6, 1971, Frank passed away in the 

Washington suburb of Falls Church, Virginia, where he and his 

wife raised two daughters together. The Census Bureau is 

thankful for Frank’s contributions, both as a statistician and a 

sportsman.

Frank, upper right, in a writing class. Counterparts, 23 Mar 1956.

Frank, right, receives a bowling trophy. Counterparts, 24 Aug 1956.

Frank, right, receives the Major C.M. Zepp 

Trophy as the captain of the Industry Division 

men’s bowling team. Census News, May 28, 1948.

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