Fr. Mariano Dacanay

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 26, 1862

Fr. Mariano Dacanay, an Ilokano priest was born in Bacnotan, La Union. 

He was responsible for giving the title “Mi Ultimo Adios” (“My Last Farewell”), a poem by Jose Rizal written in Spanish on December 29, 1896. 

Fr. Dacanay was a noted translator of religious works and was jailed for his Masonic leanings and a supporter of the Katipunan. 

He published the poem in the first issue of “La Independencia” on September 28, 1898. 

“Mi Ultimo Adios”, Rizal’s 14 five-line stanza poem was written a day before he was executed by firing squad at the Luneta. 

It was unsigned, untitled and undated. Rizal placed the poem inside a small alcohol stove (cocinilla). 

When his mother Teodora together with his sisters visited him in prison, he told his sister Trinidad that there was something in the stove. 

A guard gave them the stove as they left. At home, they found a folded paper with the poem and made copies and sent them to Rizal’s friends in the country and abroad.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: joserizal.com

The University of Southern Philippines Foundation's Jose P. Rizal Post Cards

A few years ago I was priviledged to work on a special project with Dr. Lourdes Jereza, the Vice President of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation here in Cebu City.

The project involved a photo reproduction of the 1906 Jose Rizal Post Cards composed of 14 pieces with each card highlighting stanzas from Rizal's masterpiece, "Mi Ultimo Adios."

Issued in limited quantities, the reproductions were a hit. The original post cards are on exhibit at the University of Southern Philippines Museum in Lahug, Cebu City.