A Treasure Find: Obsessed With Star Wars (Book)

Me and my sons Julian Kael and Jerald Kervin went to a mall last night for dinner at a famous fast food restaurant to celebrate Kervin's latest achievement as one of the top honor students in his class at the Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion Mandaue.

It is always our habit to make it a point to drop by at the various book shops in a mall to check out their books. After Kervin found what he liked, a book on "How to Draw The Best of Nickelodeon" from Walter Foster Publishing Inc. and me carting my favorite hobby magazine the "Model Railroader", I decided to search for more specifically Star Wars books to add to my SW collection. I wasted no time in buying some older issues such as the "Star Wars Episode 1: Watch Out, Jar Jar! from Random House", "Star Wars: The Story of Darth Vader" from DK Readers, "Star Wars Jedi Apprentice: The Mark of the Crown" and Star Wars: Last of the Jedi" both from Scholastic Inc.

As I pursued further among the shelves, what caught my fancy was this hardbound book "Obsessed with Star Wars" by Benjamin Harper from Chronicle Books. Immediately I fell in love with it and bought it to add to my Star Wars Collection. I only knew later that what I just bought was a treasure!

What's so special about this book is that it is a must have for all serious Star Wars collectors. I checked out the different reviews online and indeed, it got a perfect 5-star rating from everyone.

To quote Google books "..even the most die-hard Star Wars fans will find themselves challenged by this entertaining new approach to the details of the saga. This fourth volume in the popular, addictive Obsessed With series again includes an innovative scoring module right in the book, so a player can select questions by number or at random and keep score. With 2,500 original questions covering little known facts, entertaining quotes, and tough trivia from all six episodes, Obsessed With Star Wars will have readers dominating the galaxy in no time".

Two Star Wars Darth Vader Additions

The fearsome Darth Vader is among my favorite Star Wars figures. My collection of this Sith Lord includes stickers, figures, bobble heads, books, mugs, etc.

Just last week, I was excited to see two Darth Vader toys up for auction in Ebay so I wasted no time in bidding. Lucky me, there were no other bidders so I won the items.

The toys were delivered to my house last Saturday to my heart's delight.

What struck me with the new additions to my Star Wars collection is the Darth Vader figure from POTF2. Anakin Skywalker's face is shown once the helmet is removed. The other figure from the Bespin Duel comes with a cape made of cloth.

My New Star Wars Collection Cabinet

These past two months, I got occupied supervising the people involved in renovating my house. This is one reason that I was out of touch with everyone except of course in attending Cebu Stamp Club meetups.

One of the things I requested my carpenters is to make me a cabinet that would be bigger than the usual cabinets sold in furniture stores and malls.

Of course I got what I wanted! I have a new cabinet for my Star Wars items. Although the paint job will have to wait for another month right after they finish work on the second floor, I can't wait to display some my collections at once.

My TPF's Star Wars Keychain Collection

A wonderful gift I got for myself this Christmas is being able to acquire the last four pieces of the Star Wars Keychains from The Promotions Factory of Australia. I earlier talked about these keychains in one of my blogs some months ago. Click here to open that previous blog.

The 21 keychains featuring well known Star Wars characters like Yoda, Darth Vader, Anakin Skywalker, C3P0, R2D2, and Queen Amidala are a welcome addition to my Star Wars treasures.

Star Wars Galactic Village Collection

Here's a first-ever illuminated Star Wars village collection from Collectibles Today. This handcrafted and hand-painted collection recreates a detailed memorable scene from the Star Wars movie in 3-D.

Issue One features Mos Eisley that includes a Luke Skywalker figure. Issue Two showcased the Hoth Rebel Base with a Darth Vader figurine.

Star Wars Episode II Secret Bottle Caps

The Star Wars Episode II Pepsi Cola Bottle Caps Collection included two hard to find caps intended for the Japanese market way back when the promo was ongoing in 2002.

These two bottle caps include a back to back head of Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader (#53) and Clone Trooper and Jango Fett (#54).

I never expected that Cedric, my favorite Ebay seller could come out with the two rare items. Of course, I didn't waste time buying it early this week.

Jar Jar Binks with Kaadu Diorama

Another diorama I made features Jar Jar Binks and Kaadu. The background I used is a photoshopped image of Naboo before the Battle of Grassy Plains.

Jar Jar Binks is an outcast Gungan from the planet Naboo. He appeared in the Star Wars movies The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, Revenge of the Sith, and The Clone Wars.

The Kaadu is a large two-legged reptavian used by the Gungans as mounts. Fast runners and strong swimmers, they are known to be fearless creatures that are loyal to their Gungan masters.

Star Wars Miniatures

Kinda bored today so me and Kervin decided to play around with some of my Star Wars miniatures that I got from Ebay. The figures are composed of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, R2D2, Yoda, and a Storm Trooper. The small figs measure around an inch and a half.

The background is from a scene in Star Wars Episode IV that I photoshopped and printed.

The "MagTV Na" Video

For those who are not from Cebu, here's the home-made vid I took and the director's cut of the ABS-CBN Cebu's MagTV Na show aired last September 13, 2009 featuring my stamps and Star Wars collections. The original vid is rendered in AVI but I had to convert it to MPEG4 for faster uploading in YouTube and divided it into three parts. Just click on the videos to view.

The Star Wars Clone Wars Keychain Collection

Everytime I go to malls and toy shops to scout on items that catch my fancy, I always notice the Star Wars Clone Wars keychain figures being prominently displayed. Maybe it isn't a hot item with lots of stocks being displayed in Toy Kingdom, Gaisano Metro, Toys'R'Us and other stores since last year.

Seeing that I could still be able to complete the whole set with lots of stocks available, I decided to start buying them this week. The complete set consists of only 21 figures as seen in the box.

I was curious about the manufacturer of the products so I did some research. The keychains were made by The Promotions Factory, Australia. The TPF website reveals that the figures are grouped in three series, and there are three figures not included in the back portion of the items I bought. These are Jabba the Hutt, Darth Maul, and Count Dooku.

Series 1 consists of Darth Maul, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Queen Amidala, Qui Gon Jin, C3PO, Princess Leia, R2D2, and Storm Trooper.

Series 2 has Darth Vader, Jango Fett, Mace Windu, Super Battle Droid, Boba Fett, Chewbacca, Han Solo, and Count Dooku.

Series 3 features Anakin Skywalker, Clone Trooper, General Grievous, Emperor Palpatine, Yoda, Luke Skywalker, Wicket and Jabba the Hutt.

Star Wars Early Bird Action Figure Kit

I love the quality of the sculpt of the Early Bird figures I recently got. The figures look great and they were made to capture the nostalgia of the pioneer Star Wars figures that were sold in 1977.

The retro-cool set includes Luke Skywalker with a telescoping saber, Princess Leia in her star puffs hairdo and a laser pistol that exactly looks similar to the one Carrie Fisher used in the movie, R2D2 with a rotatable head, and Chewbacca with his laser rifle and ammo belt.

The Early Bird figure collection was released by Hasbro in 2005 and is among the best Star Wars toy set. I did some research and found out that only 50,000 of these figures were made available and given for free from a mail-in offer found in the Early Bird Certificate Package.

Click here for more info on this set.

ABS-CBN's "MagTV Na" Highlights Stamps and Star Wars

It's a very exciting Sunday for me and the whole family. Today is the day that ABS-CBN Cebu's "MagTV Na" show airs the segment featuring my stamps and Star Wars items.

At 10:45am, the show started airing. The first segment shows my childhood neighbor Joseph Kimseng with his vast collection of Coca Cola items, die cast airplanes along with his daughter Mary's collection and his wife's one million peso Barbie Doll collection.

Joseph's house is right across ours when we were kids. Me and my siblings used to be invited to their house whenever his parents threw a party. His mom, whom we fondly called Lola Angging and my grandmother Carmen were best friends. His mom was the godmother of my younger sister Cathy, who now works as a dean at the University of San Jose Recoletos. Both me and Joseph go to the same Jesuit school here in Cebu. He was one or two years ahead of me at Sacred Heart School for Boys.

Back to "MagTV Na", the segment that featured my collections began later. I never thought that the show would feature my son Kervin too.

Working with Mark Mayol, the segment producer almost everyday after the video shoot really paid off. An hour or two before lunch these past days, Mark would call me to request additional materials for the segment's animation. In a few minutes, what he needed were sent to his email.

The result was fabulous! Congratulations to MagTV Na's hosts and crew for a well conceptualized and great episode. My sincere thanks too to my friends, relatives and acquaintances who texted, emailed, and called just to let me know they were watching.

Photo above is from MagTV Na's multiply site featuring hosts Blinky, Erwin, and Mommy Tikay. Click here to visit the site.

The New Cory Aquino Stamps

What I hoped the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) will issue finally happened. The new Cory Aquino stamps are out!

Philpost issued two new Cory Aquino stamps today September 8, 2009, a day before her 40th day of the period of mourning.

The commemorative se-tenant stamps are each sold at 7.00 pesos and designed by Marco Ruben Trinos Malto II and photographed by Menchit Ongpin.

The first stamp's design features President Cory flashing the Laban sign while in front of a podium. The second one depicts her in her famous smile.

These new stamps will surely be a welcome addition to the Cebu Stamp Club, Incorporated's "Selyo At Kasaysayan 2009... A Tribute To Cory Aquino" ongoing exhibit tour this year that will culminate at SM City Cebu Mall in December.

"Selyo At Kasaysayan 2009... A Tribute To Cory Aquino" was launched in Ayala Center Cebu Mall on August 27-30, 2009 and was made possible with the support of The City Government of Cebu through the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission, Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu Stamp Club Incorporated members and officers, Himlayang Pilipino Plans Inc., STRADCOM Corporation, Cebu Star Wars Club, Governor Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo of the Province of Camiguin, Richard Allan Uy, Emie Patalagsa, Atty. Maria Lynna P. Adviento, Ricardo Teves, Edwin Al Cuizon, Richard Beethoven Uy, Edwin Uy, Reina Tugot, Jerald Kervin Uy, Charles Mark Uybengkee, and Eyan Yu.

Click here to read more about the new Cory Aquino stamps.

Star Wars Episode II Pepsi Bottle Cap Collection

The success of the Star Wars Episode 1 Pepsi Cola Bottle Caps in Japan in 1999 was the reason that Pepsi decided to release the Episode II Bottle Caps in July of 2002.

Just like my Episode I, completing this set composed of 52 figures took me more than 3 years. The complete list follows:

1. Anakin Skywalker

2. Obi-Wan Kenobi
3. Padme Amidala (battle)
4. Padme Amidala (senator)
5. Mace Windu
6. Yoda
7. Saesee Tiin
8. Plo Koon
9. Kt Fisto
10. Luminara Unduli
11. Shaak Ti
12. C-3PO
13. R2-D2
14. Dexter Jettster
15. Zam Wesell

16. Jango Fett
17. Boba Fett
18. Count Dooku
19. Poggle the Lesser
20. Geonosian
21. Battle Droid
22. Super Battle Droid
23. Chancellor Palpatine
24. Darth Sidious
25. Senate Guard
26. Taun We
27. Lama Su

28. Clone Trooper
29. Tusken Raider
30. Captain Typho

31. Ric-920
32. Jar Jar Binks
33. Mas Amedda
34. Orn Free Taa
35. Wat Tambor
36. Anakin Skywalker (head)
37. Obi-Wan Kenobi (head)
38. Saesee Tiin (head)
39. Plo Koon (head)
40. Kit Fisto (head)

41. Luminara Unduli (head)

42. Shaak Ti (head)

43. C-3PO (head)

44. Dexter Jettster (head)

45. Zam Wesell (head)

46. Jango Fett (head)

47. Count Dooku (head)

48. Geonosian (head)

49. Senate Guard (head)

50. Taun We (head)

51. Clone Trooper (head)

52. Mas Amedda (head)

Star Wars Episode I Pepsi Bottle Cap Collection

Sometime in 2006, I came across some items in eBay that caught my fancy. These were the Pepsi Cola Star Wars bottle caps. Immediately thereafter, I fell in love with them and immediately bid on them. Lucky for me coz I won the bid.

After the items arrived, I did some research on the net and learned that there were a lot of them released by Pepsi in different dates exclusively in Japan to highlight the movies featuring Episodes I, II, and III.

Trying to collect the complete set of these 2.25" figures was not easy. It was only this year that I was able to complete Episode I and Episode II. My Episode III still lacks 11 figs to complete.

The Star Wars Episode I bottle caps collection was released by Pepsi in 1999. Photos above are from my personal collection to show the reader how beautiful these figures are. Here is the complete list of characters included in that set.

1. Anakin Skywalker (1)

2. Anakin Skywalker (2)

3. Anakin Skywalker (head)

4. Padme Naberrie

5. Queen Amidala (1)

6. Queen Amidala (2)

7. Queen Amidala (3)

8. Queen Amidala (head)

9. Princess Leia

10. Senator Palpatine

11. Chancellor Valorum

12. Mace Windu

13. Mace Windu (head)

14. Obi-Wan Kenobi (1)

15. Obi-Wan Kenobi (2)

16. Qui-Gon Jinn

17. Jar Jar Binks

18. Jar Jar Binks (head)

19. R2-D2

20. C-3PO

21. Darth Vader

22. Darth Vader (head)

23. Darth Maul (1)

24. Darth Maul (2)

25. Darth Maul (head)

26. Darth Sidious

27. Battle Droid

28. Nute Gunray

29. Nute Gunray (head)

30. Yoda

31. Yoda (head)

32. Ki Adi Mundi

33. Watto

34. Watto (head)

35. Sebulba

36. Sebulba (head)

37. Boss Nass

38. Boss Nass (head)

39. Tuscan Raider

40. Captain Tarpals (head)

ABS-CBN Cebu's "MagTV Na" Comes To Visit

Yesterday was quite a hectic day. The night before, I got a confirmation from Venice Polancos and Lindo Mark Mayol of ABS-CBN Cebu that they will be dropping by to do a segment featuring my stamps and Star Wars collections in the top rating Cebu television show called "MagTV Na."

It was in August 2005 when I got invited by ABS-CBN Cebu to guest in Jude Bacalso's "Jude Morning" at Ayala Center Cebu to talk about our exhibit highlighting the stamps of Pope John Paul II. The TV network was one of the sponsors of the event.

At around 1:30pm the network's people arrived in our compound. There were nine of them! I was introduced to everyone, from the director to Blinky, the segment host. I couldn't accommodate the crew to my house as renovation work is ongoing so we had to use the house of Debbie Uy and Mark Uybengkee of Himlayang Pilipino Plans, Inc. who incidentally is my younger sister and brother-in-law. Their daughter Duchess Blythe Uybengkee is one of ABS-CBN's talents.

The crew took time to arrange everything - from my stamp albums, exhibit frames, star wars books, posters, action figures and bottle caps.

Once everything was done it was lights, camera, action! Blinky de Leon did an excellent job as host. She makes one feel comfortable in front of the cam although I am used to being on it occassionally.

The one person I admired most was the director, Reggie Molina. He's so down-to-earth and easy to get along with. He even helped in the setting up just to speed things up. Mark and Venice did great in the preparation and coordination. To sum it all, everyone was superb and very professional.

By 4:30pm, the interview was over. After a hearty snack of hamburgers and Coke, we said our goodbyes and thank yous. Mark handed me a bag with a "MagTV Na" mug inside. Another mug to add in my collection!

The "MagTV Na" experience was such a nice one that I will never forget! My special thanks to ABS-CBN Cebu, Lindo Mark Mayol (Segment Producer), Blinky de Leon (Host), Reggie Molina (Director), Vince Moree Polancos (Researcher), Daki Bolutano (Cameraman), Tata Poligrates (Cameraman), Randy Berrame (Lightman), Ronald Albaraccin (Audioman), and Nick Nadela (Production Driver).

"MagTV Na" will be featuring my stamps and Star Wars collections this month. If you're in Cebu, please take time to watch it on September 13, 2009 at ABS-CBN TV 3!

The photos featured above came from a video taken by Edwin Uy from a side angle. The network cams were in front of Blinky and I. Mark Mayol is also shown in the background.

Collecting Star Wars Books and Comic Books

Still talking about Star Wars, I collect Star Wars Books and Comics too! I can't help myself buy these items in bookstores here and in eBay.

Although at present I don't have the time to read all of them, just by looking at them transports me to a galaxy far, far away..

My First Star Wars Diorama

Aside from collecting stamps, I love to acquire Star Wars items. My passion for Star Wars inspired me to found Cebu Star Wars Club.

I enjoy creating dioramas for my Star Wars figures. Featured here is the first Star Wars diorama I made. I call this "Darth Vader's Dramatic Entrance".

A Tribute to Cory Aquino

Now it's final. I just got the confirmation today from the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission of the Cebu City Government that we will have a joint exhibit again this August.

Cebu Stamp Club, Incorporated's major philatelic event this month will open at the 2nd floor of Ayala Center Cebu Mall on August 27-29, 2009 in cooperation with the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC) and Cebu Star Wars Club.

The exhibit titled ”Selyo at Kasaysayan 2009.. A Tribute to Cory Aquino” coincides with the country’s celebration of the Philippine Heroes month and highlights stamps and philatelic materials that feature Cory Aquino, our heroes, presidents and our country’s history with some stamps dating as far back as 1898 and 1906.

This is our tribute to the late president and to the men and women who made this country great.

Star Wars: My Obsession

Collecting Star Wars items has always been a challenge for me. I collect anything that is Star Wars!

I still remember the first Star Wars memorabilia I had that include movie posters and promotional pictures. Of course, I got this from our moviehouse in 1977. I also had a large comic book of “The Empire Strikes Back” and a Marvel issue of the movie. It was in the late 90s that I started buying Star Wars items.

Presently, my Star Wars collection has grown, and it includes books published by Bantam, DelRey, Scholastic, Skylark and even Lucas Books. I have SW mugs, post cards, calendars, posters, videos, magazines and trading cards, and more than a handred action figures and vehicles. Lucky for me, I was able to get hold of the Star Wars stamps a few days after they were released by the US Postal Service in May 25, 2007. To date, Ebay sellers are selling this for Php 1000.00 per sheet.

What occupies me lately is the completion of my Star Wars Japan Pepsi Cola bottle caps collection. Just last month, I was able to complete Episode I which has 52 figures and Episode II which also comes with 52 figures. My Episode III composed of 60 figures still lacks 11 pieces. I see myself like a treasure hunter hunting for a long lost treasure. In due time, I believe I will be able to complete what's lacking. In my future blogs, I will be featuring these beautiful bottle cap figures.

Looking at my collection, I see myself transported to a galaxy far, far, away...

Click here for Sun Star Daily Cebu's article featuring my collections.