Cebu City's CHAC Approves Exhibit

I got a call last week from the Cebu City Government's Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC) asking for my attendance for the December 14, 2012 meeting with the commissioners regarding my proposal to hold the Pedro Calungsod (John Paul II Celebration Exhibit 2012) on December 28 at the city's museum.

On the day of the meeting, the commissioners were in full attendance led by Cebu City Vice Mayor Joy Young who is also the chairman. I presented the concept of the exhibit to the body who were all very excited. Immediately thereafter, I got the full approval from all the commissioners.

It's official, the Pedro Calungsod (John Paul II Celebration Exhibit 2012) opens on December 28, 2012 at 10:00 AM at the Cebu City Museum and coincides with the Anniversary Culmination Party at 12:00 noon at the El Jardin of Montebello Villa Hotel, Cebu City Philippines. Both events are part of Cebu Stamp Club @ 15 Anniversary Culmination Event.

Thanks to all the CHAC commissioners and staff..

Cebu Celebrates Tres De Abril Today

April 3 each year is a day of celebration for the Cebuanos. This is the day when Cebuano revolutionaries headed by Pantaleon Villegas, popularly known as Leon Kilat won a battle against the Spanish troops in 1898. That battle came to be known as the Tres de Abril Uprising.

Years ago, I wrote an article about the Cebuanos' victory in my column in the Freeman Newspaper. You can read the story about the Tres de Abril Uprising in Cebu Stamp Club's website by clicking here.

In 1998, Cebu celebrated the 100 years of the historic battle. It was also in that year that I came out with the idea of coming out with a stamp featuring the Tres de Abril uprising.
Together with the support of Cebu Stamp Club executives, Philpost officials and the Cebu City Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission, the idea became a reality. Cebuano artist Jose "Kimsoy" Yap was chosen to do the painting.

On June 12, 1998, the Philippine Postal Corporation issued the Centenary of Philippine Independence Series 6 Souvenir Sheet which included the Tres de Abril Uprising.

The Cebu City Government together with Cebu Stamp Club unveiled the stamp on August 30, 1998 to coincide with the city's National Heroes Day celebration.

The Tres de Abril stamp is Cebu Stamp Club, Incorporated's legacy to the Cebuanos.

In the picture are CSCI Founding President Richard Allan Uy with Philpost 7 Regional Manager and CSCI member Fabiolita Ferraris together with Jose "Kimsoy" Yap Jr. Standing from left are CSCI Executives, Maria Luisa Potian, Rachel Betos, Teresita Caballero, Patricia "Noeng" Perez, Beeling Yap, and Erwin Allan Orosco.

Andres Bonifacio Remembered

November 30 is a holiday here in the Philippines. Today, the whole country commemorates the birth anniversary of Filipino hero Andres Bonifacio.

Born in Tondo, Manila on November 30, 1863, this revolutionary leader founded the Katipunan on July 27, 1892. The Katipunan was created to enjoin the Filipinos to rise against the Spanish Crown.

The bitter rivalry between him and General Emilio Aguinaldo led to his death in Mount Buntis on May 10, 1897 when fellow Katipuneros upon the orders of Aguinaldo executed him.

Andres Bonifacio first appeared on Philippine stamps on March 23, 1947. During the Philippine Centennial celebration in 1998, Bonifacio and other Filipino heroes were featured on stamps with the aim of arousing Filipino nationalism and love of country.

I recall in 1998 the successful "A Philatelic Tribute to Andres Bonifacio" stamp and memorabilia exhibit of Cebu Stamp Club, Incorporated (CSCI) and the Cebu City Government's Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC) held at the Cebu City Museum. It was our way of paying tribute to this great Filipino hero.

The stamps shown above were released on November 7, 1997 by the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost).

Upgrading Cebu Stamp Club's Exhibition Stands and Frames

For the past 13 years, Cebu Stamp Club, Incorporated (CSCI) under my leadership has lived up to its promise to promote the stamp collecting hobby.

Exhibits were held in different schools, malls, cities and municipalities all over the Province of Cebu and in the cities of Dumaguete and Bacolod.

The cooperation of the Philippine Postal Corporation Region 7, the Cebu City Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation, various corporations, government agencies and individuals have made all our exhibits successful.

In December this year, the club will open the Cebu StampShow 2009 at SM City Cebu Mall. This is a competitive philatelic exhibition exclusively for Cebu Stamp Club members that will showcase their different collections in different levels and categories.

To make the event more presentable, the club's exhibition frames and stands will have to be upgraded. The design will be similar to those used in international competitions (see above photo). This will bring our exhibits to a higher level and captivate more people to start collecting stamps.