New Pres. Fidel V. Ramos Stamps

New stamps, souvenir sheets and first day covers of President Fidel V. Ramos were released by the Philippine Postal Corporation on November 25, 2022. 

The stamps were issued to celebrate the November National Stamp Collecting Month and pay tribute to President Ramos who passed away on July 31, 2022. 

A stamp collector, President FVR signed Proclamation No. 494 on October 27, 1994, declaring every November as National Stamp Collecting Month 🇵🇭

📷 Photo credit: Pilipinas Philately

Selyo ug Kasaysayan: Ang Presidente Soon In Malls

Selyo Ug Kasaysayan: Ang Presidente (Stamps and History: The Presidents) will be launched in a mall in Cebu City and will coincide with the Cebu Stamp Club 25th Anniversary Grand Reunion which will be held in a hotel. 

After the Cebu City mall launching, it will be at a selected mall in Mandaue City and Lapu-lapu City  🇵🇭

Jose P. Laurel Takes Oath As President

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

OCTOBER 14, 1943

The Japanese-sponsored Philippine Republic was inaugurated. 

Supreme Court Chief Justice Jose Yulo administered the oath of office to Jose P. Laurel, who was sworn in as President of the Republic of the Philippines. 

The Philippine flag, which was used during the Philippine-American War, was hoisted by former President Emilio Aguinaldo and Gen. Artemio Ricarte. 

Later in the afternoon, Laurel signed the Japan-Philippines Pact of Alliance which provided political, economic and military cooperation between the two countries. 

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

Photo credit: malacanang.gov.ph

Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. Delivers A Privilege Speech

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

SEPTEMBER 13, 1972

Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. delivered a privilege speech that focused on “Oplan Sagittarius.” 

He mentioned a top secret plan wherein President Ferdinand E. Marcos will place Metro Manila, Bulacan and the towns in Rizal Province under the control of the Philippine Constabulary headed by General Fidel Ramos. 

He added that this move is a prelude to the declaration of Martial Law, and that the Plaza Miranda bombing as well as other bombings will be used as an excuse to place the country under authoritarian rule. “Oplan Sagittarius” was made by General Romeo Espino in February 1971.

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

Photo credit: Presidential Museum and Library

Happy Birthday President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Today is the 65th birthday of the 17th President of the Republic of the Philippines, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. Happy Birthday Your Excellency PBBM!

There is still no official stamp featuring President BBM but the Philippine Postal Corporation (Post Office) released an inaugural cover on June 30, 2022 to highlight his historic inauguration as president. The commemorative cover is marked with a special postmark to highlight the event.

PHLPOST announced the release of the inaugural stamps soon!

Photo Credits:                                                PHLPOST                                                                  Senator Imee Marcos FB Page

President Ferdinand E. Marcos Birth Centenary Stamp

The Philippine Postal Corporation released on September 11, 2017 a stamp commemorating the 100th birth anniversary of former president Ferdinand Edralin Marcos, the father of Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr. 

PBBM on Sunday, September 11, 2022 together with his family commemorated the 105th birthday of his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos with a Mass at the Libangan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

Photo Credits:                                                PHLPOST                                                              RTVM                                                                  Senator Imee Marcos FB Page

Anti-graft Court Convicts President Erap

Today in  Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

SEPTEMBER 12, 2007

The Sandiganbayan anti-graft court convicted President Joseph Ejercito Estrada for the crime of plunder and imposed the penalty of reclusion perpetua or life sentence. 

On October 26, 2007, President Estrada was granted executive clemency by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and his civil and political rights were restored. 

Popularly known as Erap and born Jose Marcelo Ejercito, President Estrada is a popular movie actor and producer who became mayor, senator, and vice president to President Fidel V. Ramos.

He won a landslide victory and became the 13th President of the Republic of the Philippines. He was ousted from power through the EDSA People Power 2 in 1991 which installed Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the new president. Erap later became the mayor of Manila.

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

Photo credit: Joseph Ejercito Estrada fb page

President Ferdinand E. Marcos

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

SEPTEMBER 11, 1917

Ferdinand E. Marcos (September 11, 1917 – September 28, 1989), the tenth President of the Philippines, was born in Sarrat, Ilocos Norte. 

He was 2nd District Representative of Ilocos Norte (1949-59), Senator (1959-1965), and President in 1965. 

He won a second term in 1969 and before the end of his term, he declared martial law in 1972, that extended his constitutional term. 

He was the sixth President of the Third Republic, and the first President of the Fourth Republic. He ruled for 21 years and was ousted by the EDSA People Power revolt in 1986.

Photo credit: malacanang.gov.ph

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

Today in Philippine History: Senate Convenes After World War II

JUNE 9, 1945

The Senate of the Philippines convened for the first time after the end of World War II and Manuel Roxas sat as senate president (July 9, 1945 - May 25, 1946) after being elected by his fellow legislators. In 1940, the 1935 Constitution was amended that adopted for the creation of a bicameral Congress of the Philippines consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives. Because of the war, elected legislators in 1941 were not able to serve their term. Immediately after the war, President Sergio Osmena Sr. restored the Commonwealth government.

Photo credit: http://pcdspo.gov.ph/

Philpost Releases Pre-stamped Envelopes of EDSA at 25

February 25, 2011 is a celebration for the Philippines as we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

To highlight the event, the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) has decided to release two pre-stamped envelopes with the cancellation bearing the February 25, 2011 date.

In my opinion, Philpost should have used real stamps instead of just printing a stamp design on the envelopes. Some friends in Manila told me that the postal administration claimed that they don’t have the funds for this. It would have been nice to see Cory and Ninoy together on a stamp. That would have been a first!

President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III FDC

Here's the official first day cover of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) on July 26, 2010.

This completes the tradition of the Philippine postal administration to release stamps and fdcs of Philippine presidents featuring their inaugurals.

President Benigno S. Aquino III Stamps

Finally it's going to be out in two days! The President Benigno S. Aquino III stamps will be released on July 26, 2010 by the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost).

The stamps are valued at P 7.00 and P 40.00 and relive President Aquino's historical inaugural speech and oathtaking last June 30, 2010 at the Quirino Grandstand at the Rizal Park.

The issuance of the stamps coincides with the first State of the Nation address of the Philippine President.

The Philippine Presidents Stamp and Photo Exhibit

An upcoming exhibit that Cebu Stamp Club, Incorporated will undertake in September this year is "The Philippine Presidents: A Stamp and Photo Exhibit" which is going to be held in one of the malls here in Cebu City.

Taken from my collections, this exhibit will highlight the stamps and first day covers of all Philippine Presidents from Emilio Aguinaldo to Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III.

Also featured in this exhibit is a collection featuring Philippine History which will include stamps from the Spanish Dominion, American Regime, Commonwealth Period, Japanese Occupation, and the Republic Issues.

Email cebustampclub_inc@yahoo.com if you would like to be a sponsor of this event.

The Philippine Presidents on stamps website will be fully updated with a new page featuring Noynoy and his stamps and will be relaunched on the opening day of the exhibit.

President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III Takes His Oath Today

For the Philippines, today is a day of hope, a day of change and a day of unity.

The whole country watched as Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III takes his oath of office at exactly 12:00 noon as the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines.

I am glad I voted for him. In spite of his shortcomings, I know that he will be a good president.

To President Noynoy, May God Bless you and this country!

Philpost To Issue Noynoy Stamp

It's all over the news today!

The Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) is set to issue a commemorative stamp featuring President-elect Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III.

“It has been part of our tradition that when there is a new president, we would come out with a new stamp,” said Assistant Postmaster General Luis Carlos.

The stamp is set to be issued after the new president's oathtaking on June 30, 2010.

“There is a protocol that we have to follow. The pictures of Senator Aquino that would be used in the stamp would depend on the photos that would be provided by president-elect Aquino’s staff. As soon as we receive the pictures, we would process it immediately,” Carlos adds.

The Noynoy Aquino stamp will surely be a hit. I can't wait to have a complete set so I can add it to my Philippine Presidents on stamps collection and website.

Erap's 73rd Birthday

Former Philippine President Joseph "Erap" Ejercito Estrada celebrated his 73rd birthday yesterday April 19, 2010.

Erap's birthday wish is a "clean and victory for him and his party in the upcoming elections."

The Pwersa ng Masa standard bearer adds, "I have already been given everything that I asked for, including my renewed freedom. But my freedom is empty if I cannot use it for the greater good of the Filipino people, that is why I am running and I hope to be able to serve the people as president again."

Shown above is the November 10, 1998 stamp of President Joseph Estrada taking his oath as the 13th President of the Republic of the Philippines.

The World's First Multimedia Stamp

Technology has again taken a front seat when China came out with the world's first multimedia stamp in September this year.

One can listen to the great poems from the Tang Dynasty that include works by Li Bai, Du Fu and Bai Juyi with the mere touching of the stamps by a special device called the aigo pen. This pen is a unique gadget that combines an infrared recognition system, mass data storage and an MP3 player,

We can expect other countries using this new technology on their stamps soon. Can you imagine a Philippine stamp showing the Philippine Flag and once the aigo pen touches it, the Philippine National Anthem is played? Or a Cory Aquino or Ninoy Aquino stamp that can play their famous lines? How about a stamp of a Philippine President that plays the president's inauguration speech?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Stamp

Some weeks ago, more than 50 journalists and relatives of a political clan were brutally murdered in Mindanao. This dastardly deed is now known as the Maguindanao Massacre.

The alledged masterminds are now in government custody but other perpetrators numbering more than a hundred are still being hunted down by the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the National Bureau of Investigation.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Proclamation No. 1959 declaring Martial Law in Maguindanao last Friday night. This move has made everyone apprehensive. The Senate and the House of Representatives convened yesterday as one body to tackle the issue.

Filipinos have a bad experience with Martial Law when President Ferdinand Marcos declared it in 1972. A lot of atrocities and human rights violations were committed during those years.

As the whole world celebrates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights today, I hope that the rights of the people in Maguindanao will not be violated and all the perpetrators be brought to justice.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights stamp was issued by the Philippine postal authorities on December 9, 1988.

Justice Cecilia Muñoz-Palma

Another great Filipino is honored on Philippine stamps recently by the Phililippine Postal Corporation (Philpost).

The P7.00 stamp issued on November 22, 2009 features Justice Cecilia Muñoz-Palma, the first woman Supreme Court Associate Justice.

Cecilia Muñoz Palma was born on November 22, 1913 in Bauan, Batangas.

On October 29, 1973, President Ferdinand Marcos appointed her to the Supreme Court. This made her the first woman to be appointed to the highest court of the land.

After her retirement from the court, Muñoz-Palma became a staunch critic of Marcos. She became a prominent figure in the anti-Marcos opposition.

During the Aquino presidency, she was appointed by President Corazon Aquino to be one of the members of the 1986 Constitutional Commission tasked to draft the new constitution. She would eventually be elected by the members to the their President.

By the time she was 85 years old, President Joseph Estrada appointed her to head the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office until 2000. A loyal supporter of Erap, she strongly denounced the circumstances of Estrada's ouster from power and the assumption of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo into office.

She passed away on January 2, 2006 at the age of 92.

A Day of Mourning

Four days ago, a group of people composed of journalists, lawyers, civilians and the wife of a candidate for a governatorial position in Maguindanao and their relatives were waylaid in what could be the country's most brutal slay in recent history. As of press time, the fatalities have reached the 57 mark. If not for a helicopter hovering above the area, all the victims and their vehicles would have been completely buried by a backhoe owned by the provincial government.

I could not believe that things like this would still be happening in this country that is supposed to be practicing the rule of law.

Being with media as a columnist in one of the top newspapers here in Cebu some years back, I condemn in the strongest sense this blatant attack against the press and the innocent civilians.

Together with everyone else in this country, I demand justice for the victims. I mourn with the families for their loss and may all the perpetrators believed to be more than a hundred be arrested and brought to court.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has declared today a day of mourning and has ordered a quick action on the incident.