Showing posts with label cory aquino. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cory aquino. Show all posts

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Today in Philippine History: Jovito Salonga

JUNE 22, 1920
Jovito “Jovy” Salonga (June 22, 1920), known as “The Nation’s Fiscalizer” was born in Pasig, Rizal. He was a World War II hero, congressman, Presidential Commission on Good Government Chairman and consistently topped three senatorial elections in the administrations of Presidents Diosdado Macapagal, Ferdinand Marcos and Cory Aquino. He became senate president before he retired. During the martial law years, he fought the Marcos dictatorship. Salonga is a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 2007. 


Saturday, June 21, 2014

Today in Philippine History: Jaime Lachica Cardinal Sin

JUNE 21, 2005
Jaime Lachica Cardinal Sin (August 31, 1928 – June 21, 2005), the charismatic Archbishop of Manila died at the age of 76 due to renal failure. The government through Presidential Proclamation No. 863 gave him a state funeral and a period of national mourning with thousands attending his funeral. Cardinal Sin was instrumental in toppling Pres. Ferdinand Marcos’ regime through People Power 1 in 1986 that installed Cory Aquino as president. Again in 2001, he intervened that led to the ouster of Pres. Joseph Estrada and made Gloria Arroyo president.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

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.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Cory and Ninoy on Philippine Christmas Seals

Another popular collecting interest in the Philippines is the collection of Philippine TB Seals now popularly called the Philippine Christmas Seals. The Philippine Tuberculosis Society, Inc. is the government agency that issues these seals.

Cory and Ninoy Aquino were both featured on these seals. The 2008 Christmas Seal depicts the Outstanding Filipinos of the Century issue of 1999 but overprinted with the words "2008 Collect Seals" in gold foil.

The set also included Philippine heroes such as Apolinario Mabini, Macario Sacay and Jose Abad Santos, presidents Manuel L. Quezon, Jose P. Laurel, Ramon Magsaysay, and Diosdado Macapagal. Journalist Chino Roces also appeared on the issue.

Foremost Philippine philatelist who is the authority on these issues is Nemi L. Rivera.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Remembering Martial Law

September 21, 1972 was the day when President Ferdinand E. Marcos issued Proclamation No. 1081 placing the entire Philippines under Martial Law.

All the members of the opposition including Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., students, journalists, and activists were arrested by the military. Around 30,000 were detained.

Newspapers were shut down and the media was controlled. Marcos even closed Congress and took over its legislative powers and responsibilities.

The people suffered during those years. There was no freedom nor democracy. The rights of the Filipino were curtailed.

It took a Ninoy Aquino to reawaken the Filipinos. His death encouraged Cory Aquino to stand against Marcos in a snap election that would see the end of the Marcos dictatorship though the peaceful revolution called People Power.

Let us always be vigilant in guarding our freedom and democracy and let the spirit of EDSA 1 always live in our hearts.

Stamps above feature Marcos during the martial law years.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Noynoy For President

It's all over the news these past days. Senator Mar Roxas announcing on national tv of his intention to withdraw from the presidential race in favor of Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

After many months of going around the country and touching base with the people, giving way to a fellow party mate is not an easy thing to do. I admire Senator Mar for what he did.

"Noynoy Aquino for president" is now the call of the masses. The son of Senator Ninoy Aquino and President Cory Aquino, I see in him a sincere and better president. If he finally decides to run and win, the country will be in very good hands. He will be our Barack Obama. (photo from yahoo news)

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Araw ng Dilaw

Tomorrow August 21, 2009 is Ninoy Aquino Day. Everyone who loves freedom and democracy is enjoined to wear something yellow. I will surely wear one and light a yellow candle. The organizers call it "Araw ng Dilaw" or Day of Yellow.

Above photo is from Cory Aquino's website. Click here to be taken to the site.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Charter Change

The death of Cory may have postponed moves by the House of Representatives in its bid to amend the Constitution but in the coming days or weeks, I have this feeling that Congress will go full blast with it. At the moment, House Resolution No. 1109 hasn't been withdrawn yet.

HR No. 1109 seeks to make amendments to the Constitution through the convening of a constituent assembly (Con-ass). It aims to make the House and the Senate as one body, not separate, and voting as one. The Senate is against this and wants to vote as a separate body.

Critics claim that the main agenda of Con-ass is to change the present form of government to a parliamentary one to extend President Arroyo's stay in the Palace.

I wish Congress would end its bid for charter change and heed Cory's strongest message against it, a few months before she passed away.

“Here we are again in the midst of the shameful abuses of the powerful that seek to destroy our sacred laws. Over the years, I have learned to endure pain and sadness,” Cory said. “But perhaps, there is nothing that causes me greater pain than to see our people betrayed again and again by those they have elected to lead and serve them. To those of us who fought long and hard to restore our democracy, the pain deepens at the thought that all our gains have so quickly been eroded.”

In a few months, we will be voting again for the next president. I believe that President Arroyo has done her best for this country in her incumbency. I thank her in advance for everything she has done for us and believe that she will hand over the presidency to the new president who will be serving under the 1987 Constitution.

Cory's Honor Guards

During Cory Aquino's funeral cortege, I was among those who can't help but admire the dedication and discipline of the four honor guards who remained motionless in front of President Cory Aquino's casket for nine hours in spite of the heat, the rain and multitudes of people who I believe took turns taunting them. I am reminded of a scene from an old Mr. Bean show where he plays around with his camera infront of a Royal guard but still the guard remained motionless.

The Fantastic Four, as they are now popularly known are PO1 Danilo Malab, Pfc. Antonio Cadiente, Airman 2nd Class Gener Laguindam, and Navy Petty Officer 3 Edgardo Rodriguez. These gentlemen earned the respect from all of us and they surely deserve the commendations, the rewards and promotions that they got.

Congratulations to the four of you! You make us more proud to be called Filipinos!

Saturday, August 15, 2009

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.

Friday, August 14, 2009

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.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

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.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

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...