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!

New Philippine President Proclaimed Today

A historic event unfolds today here in the country. Senator Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" C. Aquino has been formally proclaimed minutes ago as the 15th president of the Republic of the Philippines.

Noynoy won the May 10, 2010 Presidential Elections after garnering a record 15.2 million votes or 42% of the ballots cast in the country's first automated national elections.

The 50 year old bachelor and son of Philippine hero Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino and former Philippine president Corazon "Cory" Aquino formally takes office on June 30, 2010.

Vote Casted

Today is a historic day for us Filipinos. This is the first time that our elections will be fully automated.

The country will be voting for the next president, vice president, senators, congressmen, partylist, governor, vice governor, provincial board members, mayor, vice mayor and councilors.

As usual, together with my wife and siblings, we went early to the polling precint at the Subangdaku Elementary School. Long time ago, my great grandfather, Isidro Velasquez donated one half of the lot where the school now stands that's why our houses are just adjacent to the school.

We left at 7:00 AM and arrived at our precint 5 minutes later but had to wait for almost 45 minutes. After casting my vote, there was a feeling of apprehension whether the Print Count Optical Scan (PICOS) machine would accept my vote. After waiting for a few seconds, I was glad that the machine confirmed my vote was successful.

It is my belief that my vote will bring Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino to the presidency. We need a new leader who will eradicate corruption and bring prosperity and unity to the Philippines.

The stamp above features the 50th anniversary of Woman Suffrage in the Philippines released on December 7, 1983.

Senator Noynoy Aquino Turns 50 Today

Presidential aspirant Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III celebrates his 50th birthday today.

He spent this special occasion with students of the Payatas C Elementary School, a school situated near that Payatas dumpsite in Quezon City.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted him as saying, “I saw the real condition of the children we are educating. Their seats were almost crammed beside each other while I also saw those errors in textbooks.”

Coming from a family of educators, I am glad to know that Noynoy promised to make education reforms a top priority of his administration once he becomes presiident.

Happy birthday Noynoy!

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.

Hindi Ka Nag-iisa

I am quite impressed with this new video featuring Senator Noynoy Aquino. A vid that captures the heart!

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.

Noynoy Leads In Latest Survey

It came as no surprise to me when I saw on tv an ABS-CBN news report highlighting Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III's remarkable lead over all the presidential aspirants from the administration and the opposition in the latest special survey done by the Social Weather Station. The report added that 50% of the respondents in the Luzon area will vote for Noynoy.

The candidates that were overtaken in the survey included Senator Manuel Villar, former President Joseph Estrada, Senator Francis Escudero, and Vice President Noli de Castro.

It will be very interesting to see a united opposition fielding Noynoy as their official candidate for next year's presidential elections. But will the other presidentiables follow what Senator Mar Roxas did?

Many believe that he is the new hope for this country. His character, integrity, and humility has never been questioned. Is he our next president?

If he wins, I am sure his inauguration ceremony will be on stamps It will be the first in the Philippines where a father, a mother and a son are on Philippine stamps.

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)