It's Cory's Birthday Today!

If former president Corazon "Cory" Aquino is alive today, she would have been celebrating her 79th birthday and it would have been a wonderful scene to see two presidents in the family celebrating a special occasion.

I wouldn't have remembered Cory's birthday today if I had missed for a minute the short video clip honoring her that was aired this morning in Kris TV, an ABS CBN morning show hosted by her daughter Kris Aquino.

The late president was born on January 25, 1933 and passed away on August 1, 2009. She became the first woman leader of the country after the EDSA People Power Revolution in 1986 ousted President Ferdinand Marcos.

She is the wife of former Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and the mother of the country's incumbent president, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

In 2009, I came up for Cebu Stamp Club the unique exhibit, A Tribute To Cory Aquino that honored this great lady using stamps and photos of her. I have long considered her as God's greatest gift to the Filipino nation.

The photo above features the September 18, 2009 se -tenant pair stamps, the cachet of the January 25, 2010 Cory Aquino 77th Birth Anniversary limited edition commemorative cover and the August 1, 2011 EDSA People Power Revolution souvenir sheet.

Happy Birthday Cory Aquino! My prayers are with you..

Philpost Issues Noynoy Commemorative Cover

To highlight the inauguration of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III today as the 15th president of the Philippines, the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) issues on the same day the limited edition Commemorative Cover of President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III.

The commemorative cover features a cachet of Noynoy but the stamp used is the 7-peso President Cory Aquino Memorial stamp 2nd edition issued on September 18, 2010. Because the Cory stamp came out in a se-tenant issue, the other design featuring Cory flashing the L-sign (Laban) is also used.

The cover is valued at 15.00 but Philpost has released only 2,000 pieces of the cover. Each FDC has a unique number on the left edge so that each FDC will be different from each other.

Update 07.01.10:

My friend and Cebu Stamp Club member Henry Chua informed me that during the inauguration ceremony of President Benigno Aquino III which was a holiday, post office tellers went to the inauguration site and sold out 1,500 of the 2,000 covers made. The remaining 500 pcs. were quickly bought by stamp dealers and collectors.

Happy 77th Birthday President Cory!

My favorite president the late Cory Aquino is 77 today!

Catholic Churches all over the country honored her through different Masses while her children Viel Dee, Pinky Abellada and Ballsy Cruz led the prayer at the Aquino mausoleum in Manila Memorial Park.

The highlight of her birth anniversary is the unveiling of a 15-foot monument by the City Government of Manila. The bronze statue was sculpted by Eduardo Castrillo and stands beside Ninoy Aquino along Padre Burgos Drive and Roxas Boulevard.

Presidential candidate and Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III was the guest of honor for the occasion while Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim led the unveiling ceremonies.

All the days activities were beautiful birthday presents for the most loved president of the Philippines.

Happy birthday to you Madame President!

The stamp I featured above was released on June 30, 1992 and depicts Presidents Cory Aquino and Fidel Ramos.

Continuing the Tribute to Cory Aquino Exhibit at SM City Cebu

Come December 28-30, 2009, the Tribute to Cory Aquino Stamp and Photo Exhibit which was launched in Ayala Center Cebu last August 27-30, 2009 will be at SM City Cebu Mall.

In the Ayala Center Cebu exhibit, the new Cory stamp issues of September 8 and September 18, 2009 were not included as the stamps were non existent then.

The two new Cory issues which consists of full sheets, blocks of four, singles and First Day Covers (see photo above) will be featured at the SM City Cebu show.

As a side presentation, the Cebu Stamp Club's Cebu StampShow 2009, an annual stamp competition among club members will also be included.

A new poster design, souvenir covers and canceller will be made to highlight the event. Special exhibit stamp booklets with the new Cory stamps will be given to deserving Cebu Stamp Club members and friends.

Cory and Ninoy's Wedding Anniversary

Today is the 55th wedding anniversary of the country's greatest couple.

Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino and Corazon "Cory" Cojuangco were joined together in Holy Matrimony at the Our Lady of Sorrows Church in F.B. Harrison Street in Pasay City on October 11, 1954. Cory's gown was done by famous Philippine fashion designer Pitoy Moreno. President Ramon Magsaysay stood as their sponsor.

On their 19th wedding anniversary, a beautiful poem "I Have Fallen In Love With The Same Woman Thrice" was written by Ninoy for Cory which Filipino Balladeer Jose Mari Chan made into a song. Christian Bautista revived this song in his latest album featuring the songs of Jose Mari Chan.

The CSCI Newsletter September 2009 Issue

Every month, as the Editor-in-Chief of all the publications of Cebu Stamp Club, Incorporated (CSCI), I always make it a point that what we feature contain interesting and informative articles and news.

The monthly "CSCI Newsletter" and the newest publication, "Philippine Stamps" quarterly e-magazine have been getting good comments from our readers. The great support we are getting for the e-magazines have driven us to strive harder to come out with the best issues all the time.

This month's issue of the CSCI Newsletter talks about the September stamp meetup held at the 2nd floor of McDonalds Jones, Cebu City. It features the new Cory Aquino stamps and the latest Philippines and international stamps. Stamp stories and tips are also included.

For a free copy of the CSCI Newsletter, send an email to cebustampclub_inc@yahoo.com. The Philippine Stamps magazine is given exclusively to regular members of the club.

Both e-magazines are in pdf format.

The Tribute To Cory Aquino Stamps & Photo Exhibit Video

The whole day yesterday kept me occupied creating the video of the "Tribute To Cory Aquino Stamp and Photo Exhibit" held at the Ayala Center Cebu last month.

This is the first of several videos that I will be loading in YouTube for Cebu Stamp Club. Click here to view the video from YouTube.

Revised Cory Aquino Stamps Will Be A Hit Too!

Glad I was able to get hold of a few copies of the September 8, 2009 Cory Aquino Commemorative se-tenant stamps.

My friend Marco Ruben Malto, the designer of the stamp relayed "...the first series are already out of stock within 5 days after its release... Philpost is really surprised with the turn out of sale of the Cory stamps, to quote them saying - selling like hot cakes!"

On September 18, 2009, Philpost decided to print 300,000 revised version of the Cory Aquino stamps. These reprints are actually a second series. There are changes in the layout of texts (PILIPINAS) and the denomination (p7). If one compares the two issues, they are completely different from each other.

Stamp collectors in the country believe that the second series will be as popular as the first and will be a big hit too!

Cory Stamps Are Sold Out!

I just got an email a while ago from a friend in Manila informing me that the new Cory Aquino stamps are all sold out. People are really getting their hands on the stamp issue. There is a volume of people making reservations for the stamps at the Manila Central Post Office.

It is indeed a collectors item. Collectors and non-collectors alike are buying the stamps to remind them of Cory, the greatest president the country has produced.

For those who haven't got the stamps yet, don't despair. My friend said that Philpost will be reprinting more of the stamps.

Update: The reprints are slightly different from the first Cory se-tenant stamps issued by Philpost on September 8, 2009. I was informed that the new Cory stamps were released on September 18, 2009. Word is, the second printing will be as popular as the first and it will also be sold out at once.

Updates for the Philippine Presidency on Stamps Site

The new Cory Aquino and Gloria Arroyo stamps are the reasons why I have to spend a few more hours in my pc. There is a need to update the Philippine Presidency On Stamps site with the issuance of these two issues.

The latest Gloria Arroyo stamp was released on August 3, 2009 while the Cory Aquino stamps came out on September 8, 2009.

I have to redo the main page too. The "Selyo At Kasaysayan 2009.. A Tribute To Cory Aquino" exhibit teaser had to be added together with the new group pictures of Cebu Stamp Club members. For the latter, a mouse over effect will be included to save on space. A new slide show had to be made with the inclusion of the logos of Stradcom Corporation and Himlayang Pilipino Plans, Inc.

Hopefully by Wednesday, the new updates will be uploaded and published. Check out the site by clicking here.

The Philippine Presidency On Stamps is an interactive website that features all the stamps of the Philippine Presidents from Emilio Aguinaldo to the incumbent chief executive, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The stamps are from my Philippine Presidents collection.

The site also includes the presidential seal and banner of every president. Their signatures, photos, videos, and informative data make it more interesting.

This is the one of the best websites I have done and it really took a lot of my time conceptualizing, designing and creating it.

We Started Ahead!

Cory fever is all over the country once again. Her son Noynoy appearing on national tv yesterday announcing his plan to run as president next year and the celebration of the 40 days of her death with different masses held all over the country flooded the news in tv, radio, print and the net.

Groups and individuals started to come up with exhibits, memorabilias, bags and of course, stamps. My personal thanks to the Philippine Postal Corporation for issuing the Cory stamps.

One thing I am happy about is that here in Cebu, weeks before different Cory exhibits started to mushroom all over the country, we came out with a very fitting tribute to the great icon of democracy using stamps.

Cebu Stamp Club, Incorporated's "Selyo At Kasaysayan 2009... A Tribute to Cory Aquino" stamp and photo exhibit will continue to be on tour until its culmination in December 2009.

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.

Cory Exhibit Souvenir Cover

The latest exhibit poster I designed and made was for Cebu Stamp Club's "Selyo At Kasaysayan 2009... A Tribute To Cory Aquino" stamp and photo exhibit. I also decided to come up with the official souvenir cover that features the exhibit poster design.

The envelope carries a cache that depicts the exhibit poster. An "AUG 27, 2009" postmark is stamped that highlights the day of the exhibit opening. The words "CEBU STAMP CLUB, INC." and "AYALA CENTER CEBU" are also included. The stamp shown in the above photo is the Oath Taking of President Cory Aquino issued on March 04, 1987.

This limited edition souvenir envelope is a collectors item and available exclusively to Cebu Stamp Club members and friends.

Making a Tribute to Cory Aquino Using Stamps

It is almost August 27 but I haven't started the main exhibit pages for the "Selyo At Kasaysayan 2009... A Tribute to Cory Aquino" as of last night. Knowing that it is crunch time, I had to wake up early this morning and began working on the 8-page exhibit. Cory and Ninoy stamps, first day covers and references were scattered all over my work table. After creating the layout and the text in my PC, I came out with the printed pages and mounted the stamps and the FDCs. Finally, I am done with it!

All the materials are now set for Thursday's event. The award winning "Las Islas Filipinas", a 64-page philatelic essay on the history of the Philippines has been prepared months before together with the 40-page "Philippine Presidents on Stamps". Other collections include "The Tres de Abril Stamp" (8 pages), "Philippine Heroes in Masonry" (16 pages), "Rizal, Bonifacio and Aguinaldo.. A Tale of Three Heroes" (16 pages) and a lot more.

The "Tribute to Cory Aquino" collection is a short essay on how Cory became the icon of democracy. It includes a page where Ninoy Aquino's poem "I Have Fallen In Love" was featured. He dedicated the poem to Cory and was made into a song by Filipino balladeer Jose Marie Chan.

All Systems Go!

It's exhibit time once again for my group, the Cebu Stamp Club, Incorporated (CSCI). We see ourselves busy preparing for the upcoming event on August 27, 2009 for our tribute to Cory Aquino. Lots of things have to be done at such a short time.

I remember the same time last year when we were also very busy setting up the mega exhibits in Silliman University, Dumaguete City and at SM City Cebu. The result was a tremendous success. Two grand exhibits in a week. Whew... we never did it in all the 13 years of Cebu Stamp Club's operation but we surely did it last year. To top it all, Postmaster General Hector RR Villanueva of the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) dropped by to grace the event. He even stayed for an hour after the program just to have a casual talk with me and the group about stamps and the postal system. What more can we ask for?

Come August 27, 2009, our event will be attended by top Cebu City officials led by Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña and Vice Mayor Michael L. Rama.

Photo below features Postmaster General Hector RR Villanueva (in black shirt and khaki pants) with (from left) Benito Quiros, Aidalyn Arabe, Monserrat Magbanua, Sharee Ann Trapa and yours truly.

New Cory Stamps Soon?

The late president Corazon "Cory" Cojuangco Aquino was featured several times on Philippine stamps. Most of these issues were released during her incumbency.

Unlike in the United States where there is a law that prohibits a living person to be featured on a US stamp, the Philippine Postal Corporation has issued stamps of famous personalities such as boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, former Miss Universe Gloria Diaz and Margie Moran, and incumbent presidents.

With the passing away of Cory last August 1, 2009, there is a clamor to make her a national hero and a saint. Some people want her portrait to be placed beside her husband Ninoy on the 500 peso bill. Of course, I believe that Philpost will be coming out soon with a new Cory Aquino commemorative stamp. Last November 27, 2008, two new Ninoy Aquino stamps were issued. Click here to view the Ninoy stamps.

The new Cory Aquino stamps will surely be a big hit among collectors. I can't wait to get my hands on them once Philpost decides to come out with these stamps!

The photo featured above are just some of the Cory stamps Philpost released years ago. Check out http://philippinepresidents.110mb.com for the complete set.

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.

Farewell Cory Aquino

Among my favorite presidents is Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. Popularly called Cory, she was a symbol of democracy here in the Philippines. Her bout with colon cancer eventually led to her demise today, August 1, 2009. She is one person that the world will surely miss..

I will never forget the day I approached her in one of her campaign visits here in Cebu sometime in April 1998 while she was campaigning for Alfredo Lim who was running for President. I was very privileged to have her sign a Cebu Stamp Club cover which bears her different stamps. I will always treasure that uncancelled cover with her signature.

Farewell Madame President! Our prayers will always be with you...