Manny Pacquiao Faces Floyd Mayweather Today

The fight of the century will finally happen today! The whole world will witness the match between American pound for pound boxer Floyd Mayweather and Filipino boxer Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao.

Here in the Philippines, all major television networks will air the match for free. As always in every Pacquiao fight, crime rate in the country will be down with Pinoys glued on the match.

To commemorate the event, the Philippine Postal Corporation (Phlpost) came out with a set featuring Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao. This is the second time the postal administration honored Pacquiao on Philippine stamps.

Today in Philippine History: Quezon Wins Commonwealth Presidency

MAY 14, 1935

An election was held to fill the position of the newly created Office of the President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. Manuel L. Quezon, a Nacionalista won the seat and was inaugurated into office on November 15, 1935. The Commonwealth has a strong executive, a unicameral (later amended to bicameral) National Assembly, and a Supreme Court. A plebiscite was also held to ratify the Constitution after Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt approved it on March 23, 1935 as conforming with Public Act No. 127 earlier passed by the U.S. Congress.

Photo credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/

Today in Philippine History: Pres. Macapagal Moves Philippine Independence Day

MAY 12, 1962

Pres. Diosdado Macapagal moved the celebration of Philippine Independence Day from July 4 to June 12 through Republic Act 4166. Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo first declared Philippine Independence from Spanish rule on June 12, 1898 but America and Spain did not recognize the proclamation. Spain soon ceded the islands to the United States through the Treaty of Paris in 1898 which ended the Spanish-American War. On July 4, 1946, America granted the country her freedom. Filipinos then started celebrating Philippine Independence Day every 4th of July.

Photo credit: http://tumblr.malacanang.gov.ph/ and http://www.gov.ph/

Philippine Papal Philatelic Collection 2014

The 2014 Joint Stamp issue between the Philippines and Vatican City State featuring Pope Francis released by the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) on March 21, 2014 (Richard Allan Uy collection)

The first Circular stamps in 3D embossed and in gold foil stamping featuring Pope John XXIII released by the Philippine Postal Corporation on April 28, 2014. (Richard Allan Uy collection)

The first Circular stamps in 3D embossed and in gold foil stamping featuring Pope John Paul II released by the Philippine Postal Corporation on April 28, 2014. (Richard Allan Uy collection)

The first Circular stamps in 3D embossed and in gold foil stamping featuring Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII released by the Philippine Postal Corporation on April 28, 2014. (Richard Allan Uy collection) 

2013 Philippine Stamp Sets (Mint/Complete/Unmounted)

Here's my complete Philippine Stamp Issues for 2013 released by the Philippine Postal Corporation. The issues are not yet mounted on the official Cebu Stamp Club 2013 Philippine Stamp Album pages. (Richard Allan Uy collection)

Today in Philippine History: Fall of Corregidor (Part 2 of 2)

MAY 6, 1942

Lt. Gen. Jonathan Wainwright, commander of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines decided to surrender Corregidor. He sent a radio message to U.S. Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt and said "There is a limit of human endurance, and that point has long been passed." Through the Voice of Freedom, he informed Japanese Gen. Masaharu Homma of his decision to surrender with his men. By noon, the American flag was lowered and replaced by a white flag. The defenders were made to march to Manila and jailed in Fort Santiago and Bilibid prison. 

Photo credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/

Today in Philippine History: Fall of Corregidor (Part 1 of 2)

MAY 6, 1942

After the Fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942, the only obstacle of Lt. Gen. Masaharu Homma’s 14th Imperial Army was the island fortress of Corregidor. Japanese aerial, naval and artillery bombardments increased from December 1941 to April 1942 but the defenders from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, Philippine Scouts, Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and civilians all numbering around 15,000 held on. But on May 6, 1942, Japanese tanks and troops successfully landed in Corregidor after the defenders couldn't contain the relentless invaders.

Photo credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/

Today in Philippine History: Gregorio Aglipay

MAY 5, 1860

Gregorio Aglipay (May 5, 1860 – September 1, 1940) was born in Batac, Ilocos Norte. He was a Catholic priest who became the Military Vicar General of the revolutionaries during the Philippine-American War. He sent letters to the clergy to ask Rome to appoint Filipino priests in all church positions. For his activism, Aglipay was excommunicated by Manila Archbishop Bernardino Norzaleda on May 5, 1899 with the permission of Pope Leo XIII. He became the first bishop of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, a separate church founded by Isabelo delos Reyes in 1902. 

Photo credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/

Making the Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition)

Making the installments of Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition), a first-of-its kind way of sharing history every day using stamps is no joke. Lots of research from different historical sources have to be to done to make sure that the info I write are accurate as they can be. I have learned that the internet information from different sources do have discrepancies in dates and information. 

The next process is finding the right photos and the corresponding stamps in each article. It takes an hour for me to finish one installment while others may take as long as 2 hours and 3 at the most.. but I don't mind. This is my simple way of sharing our rich history and promoting the hobby of stamp collecting. 

Thanks to all who have been consistent in sharing and liking the articles for the past 3 months in Facebook. There will be more until I have completed the 365th day which will be on February 27, 2015. I would appreciate it if you LIKE my page for Cebu Stamp Club at https://www.facebook.com/CebuStampClub

Today in Philippine History: The Wood-Forbes Mission

MAY 4, 1921

Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood and William Cameron Forbes arrived in Manila after newly-elected president Warren G. Harding (Republican) created the Wood-Forbes mission to determine whether the Philippines was ready for self-rule. After four months, they submitted a report that called for the postponement of Philippine independence. Month’s earlier during the term of Pres. Woodrow Wilson (Democrat), Senate Pres. Manuel Quezon and Senator Rafael Palma led a mission to the U.S. and convinced Democrats in Congress to hasten Philippine Independence.

Photo credit: http://diglib.amphilsoc.org/

Today in Philippine History: Nick Joaquin

May 4, 1917
Nicomedes Marquez Joaquin (May 4, 1917 – April 29, 2004) was born in Paco, Manila. He was the Philippines third best Filipino writer in English next to Jose P. Rizal and Claro M. Recto. His works include short stories, novels. plays and Philippine history. He also wrote books that give tribute to Jose Rizal. As a journalist, he used the pen name Quijano de Manila and raised the level of reportage in the country with his intellectual and provocative style of journalism. Nick Joaquin was conferred the rank and title of National Artist for Literature.

Photo credit: http://tl.wikipedia.org/

Today in Philippine History: Isabelo Abaya is Killed in Action

MAY 3, 1900

Major Federico Isabelo Abaya (1854 – May 3, 1900) was killed as he led an attack against a U.S. detachment composed of 30 soldiers from the 33rd Infantry led by Lt. McCleland during the Philippine-American War. Abaya, a member of the revolutionary group Espiritu de Candon was known for declaring a Republic of Candon on March 25, 1898. He led the Cry of Candon that successfully drove away the Spaniards. In the war against the U.S. he joined the revolutionary army under Gen. Manuel Tinio and later commanded guerrilla forces under Col. Juan Villamor.

Photo credits: http://philippineamericanwar.webs.com/ and http://philippines-islands-lemuria.blogspot.com/

Today in Philippine History: Dewey Cuts Telegraph Cable

MAY 2, 1898

After his victory in the Battle of Manila Bay, Commodore George Dewey told the Spanish Governor-General Basilio de Agustin y Davila that he wanted to use the underwater Manila-Hong Kong telegraph cable operated by the British-owned Eastern Extension Australasia China Telegraph Company and Manila’s only link to the outside world since it was considered neutral. After the Governor-General refused, Dewey dredged up and cut the cable. Agustin would later inform Dewey through British Consul Edward H. Rawson-Walker of his willingness to surrender.

Today in Philippine History: Labor Day in 1903

MAY 1, 1903

Labor day was first celebrated during the American period. Isabelo delos Reyes’ Union Obrera Democratica de Filipinas (UODF), the first labor group in the Philippines led by its new president Dominador Gomez enjoined 100,000 workers to march from Plaza Moriones, Tondo to Malacanang, the residence of Gov. Gen. William H. Taft. They demanded better working conditions and political independence. Gomez was arrested for illegal assembly and sedition. He was vindicated after being elected as a delegate to the Philippine Assembly in 1907.

Today in Philippine History: Battle of Manila Bay

MAY 1, 1898

The Battle of Manila Bay was a naval battle during the Spanish-American War. Commodore George Dewey’s U.S. Asiatic Squadron consisting of 9 new warships led by the U.S.S. Olympia sailed into Manila. The Spanish Armada of 10 old ships under Admiral Patricio Montojo was caught off-guard. Dewey’s fleet engaged and destroyed the entire Spanish navy with 167 Spanish sailors dead and 214 wounded with 0 casualty on the U.S. side. The battle marked the end of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines.

Today in Philippine History: Women Win Right to Vote

APRIL 30, 1937

In a special plebiscite, women won the right to vote after 90% were in favor of the measure. 447,725 were for yes while only 44,307 said no. This was the result of a law passed by the National Assembly under the 1935 Constitution which extended the right of women to vote which required only 300,000 votes. In 1907, Congressman Filemon Sotto of Cebu filed a women’s suffrage bill in the American-sponsored Philippine Assembly upon the encouragement of Pura Villanueva Kalaw, a women’s rights pioneer. Their dream would only be a reality 30 years later.

Photo credit: http://tumblr.malacanang.gov.ph/

Today in Philippine History: Procopio Bonifacio Testifies in Court

APRIL 29, 1897

Procopio Bonifacio, the younger brother of Katipunan Supremo Andres Bonifacio testified in the Military Court Martial under Emilio Aguinaldo’s government. Col. Pantaleon Garcia sat as Judge Advocate and Gen. Mariano Noriel presided the Council of War. Asked where he was captured and why his clothes have blood smears, he narrated his capture at the trench in Limbon and the blood came from his nose after a soldier struck it with the butt-end of a gun. The 24-year old Procopio was surprised with the treatment since he never resisted when they were arrested.

Photo credit: http://philippines-islands-lemuria.blogspot.com/

Today in Philippine History: Aguinaldo's Men Arrest Andres Bonifacio

APRIL 28, 1897

Col. Agapito “Yntong” Bonzon and Maj. Jose Ignacio Paua, Emilio Aguinaldo’s brother -in-law carried out an order to arrest Andres Bonifacio after he refused to recognize Aguinaldo’s new government on charges of treason and sedition. In Barrio Limbon, Yntong’s men fired at Bonifacio’s soldiers killing Ciriaco Bonifacio. The Supremo’s men were disarmed and Bonifacio was shot and wounded by Bonzon while Paua stabbed him on the neck. They then arrested him and brother Procopio. Some accounts say Yntong also raped his wife Gregorio de Jesus.

Photo credit: http://lucbanhistoricalsociety.blogspot.com/

Canonization of John Paul II and John XXIII Stamps

Today the whole world celebrates the canonization of two great popes - Blessed John Paul II and Blessed John XXIII 

To coincide with the sainthood of the two popes, the Philippine Postal Corporation released two souvenir sheets valued at 200 pesos each highlighting this historic event. 

Photo credit: Philpost.gov.ph

A Papal Exhibit at the Kadaugan sa Mactan

In 2005, days after the death of Pope John Paul II, I came out with "A Philatelic Tribute to Pope John Paul II", a stamp exhibit featuring JP2 at the Mactan Shrine, Lapu-lapu City. 

This was a project initiated by yours truly, Ahmed Cuizon and Edwin Al Cuizon together with Cebu Stamp Club, Lapu-lapu City Government, Lapu-lapu City Tourism, Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission and the Philippine Postal Corporation as part of the Kadaugan sa Mactan activities in 2005. 

The exhibit was then toured and opened at the Talisay City Post Office and Ayala Center Cebu.