Today in Philippine History: General Artemio Ricarte Returns from Exile

FEBRUARY 28, 1903

At the height of the Filipino-American War (1899-1914) Lt. General Artemio Ricarte y Garcia returns from exile in Guam. He continued to defy the American occupation of the Philippines by refusing to take allegiance to the United States of America.

Photo credit to www.malacanang.gov.ph)

CSCI Executive Director Visits PHLPOST Head in Cebu

Cebu Stamp Club Executive Director Richard Allan Uy pays a courtesy call to the new Postal Area Director for Central and Eastern Visayas of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPOST), Atty. Raul Buensalida for continued partnership between Cebu Stamp Club and PHLPOST.

My Son's First Stage Play Appearance

What a great blessing for my son Jerald Kervin as he plays the role of Dopey, the dwarf without a beard on his very birthday on March 14, 2014 in Benedicto College's musical play entitled "Walt Disney's Treasures" with Dr. Mila Espina as the play's director. This is his first appearance in a stage play and I am one very excited dad!

Two shows are scheduled on that day and tickets will be available to relatives and friends @ a very minimal amount.

EDSA 28: Kapitbisig Tungo sa Pagbangon

Today is the 28th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution. We remember this day as the day we  regained freedom from the dictatorship of then President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

Let the spirit of this peaceful revolution live on as we strive to make this nation free of corruption and poverty.

Watching Margo Frasco's Natividad at SM

It was an exciting evening as me and son Jerald Kervin went to SM Cinema 1 here in Cebu. We arrived before 7pm to support my niece Ansel Eve Baz Ancajas who plays the role of Fatima in Stage Left Productions' Natividad. 

The story of Natividad takes place in the household of the Natividad family where everyone regroups for their mother's birthday. The relationship of the family members is put to the test when the eldest son Miguel, a political rebel comes back home leading to the disgust of his father the governor of the town. Turmoil and anguish grips the family as the story progresses.  

It was all wows for me and the audience for the superb performances of the cast, the great set design, superb choice of music and nice costume design. 

Bravo and thumbs up to producer and director Margarita Domingo Frasco. The play was indeed worth our time and we are looking forward to seeing more of these presentations from Director Margo. 

Off cam With Ms. Cherry Pie Picache

Here's an off cam conversation after my scene with award winning actress Ms. Cherry Pie Picache in Ina, Kapatid, Anak, an ABS-CBN top-rating teleserye.

Ms. Cherry Pie: Father, totoo ka ba talagang pari? (Father, are you a real priest?)
Me: Hindi po Miss Pie.. (No Miss Pie..)
Ms. Cherry Pie: (Amused and starts to laugh) hahaha.. buong akala ko talagang pari ka! (continues laughing). (hahaha.. all along, I really thought you were a real priest!)

I am glad that I was able to justify my role opposite one of Philippine Cinema's best actress.

Cebu Stamp Club's 2014 Mega Exhibit

Cebu Stamp Club's 18th Anniversary presentation this year celebrates the sainthood of St. John Paul II, St. John XXIII and San Pedro Calungsod.

Domingo Domingo in Cinema Rehiyon 2014

I got very excited when Director Chloe Veloso informed me that our Cebuano indie film DOMINGO DOMINGO was also included in Cinema Rehiyon 2014 held in Cagayan de Oro City. She further added that the full-length movie was well applauded.

Yours truly play the role of a grandfather arnis fighter in Director Steven Atenta's film "Hangaway". Domingo Domingo is an omnibus film collaboration of seven Visayan filmmakers: Archie Manayon, Chloe Veloso, Grace Lopez, Aldo Banaynal, Nicolo Manreal, Steven Atenta, and James Luib.

Congratulations to the seven Visayan directors of Domingo Domingo as well as to my fellow actors, the actresses and the crew.

Vatican To Release Canonization Stamps

 

The Vatican Stamp and Coin Office will release these beautiful Canonization stamps featuring Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII on March 21, 2014 along with a joint issue with Poland. 

In Cebu Stamp Club's past Pope John Paul II exhibits, the said office was one of our major sponsors. (photos courtesy of Catholic News Service)

Stage Left Productions' Natividad

 
I just learned that my niece Ansel Eve Baz Ancajas plays the role of Fatima in Natividad, the maiden offering of Stage Left Productions which will open at SM Cinema 1 on February 23, 2014 @ 10am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm and 7pm.

This production is a must watch I was told and is produced and directed by Margo Frasco.

2013 Philippine Stamps Issues (January to December)

Here's the complete 2013 Philippine Stamp Issues (singles, se-tenants, blocks of 4, souvenir sheets, miniature sheets and pre-stamped envelopes) issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPOST) from January to December 2013.

I compiled it these beautiful stamp issues into a photo collage. 

The Showbiz Bug Bit Me!

I never thought I will be pulled back to where I grew up - showbiz! It's as if the showbiz bug came back years later and bit me.

My grandfather Charles Uy (Uy Kieng San) started his moviehouse empire long before I was born. Together with my grandmother Carmen and the children, he owned or manage movie houses in the Visayas and Mindanao from the 1960's to the 1980's but sad to say, the family business folded up when Betamax and VHS became the fad. 

In the 80's, people preferred to watch movies in the luxury of their homes. The last movie house we operated was Constellation Theater infront of Cebu Eastern College in Leon Kilat Street. 

Then suddenly after several decades, here I am in my 40s doing things I never thought I would be doing. God surely has a purpose and I owe all my blessings to the Heavenly Father, the Santo Nino as well as to Mama Mary, San Pedro Calungsod and St. Pope John Paul II.. To God be the glory!

The photo above highlights the different projects I did in 2013.

Playing Around With An Android App

I find it cool after I converted one of my photos to a colored sketch using one of the apps I downloaded from the Google Play Store.

Selyo ug Kasaysayan sa Fort Ends in March

Cebu Stamp Club's historical stamp and photo exhibit "Selyo ug Kasaysayan sa Fort (Stamps and History at the Fort) which opened in April last year will finally end on March 31, 2014.

With more than a thousand local and foreign visitors visiting the fort everyday, we are proud to say that this is the club's most viewed exhibit of the club to date.

I personally thank the City Government of Cebu headed by Honorable Mayor Michael Rama, the Philippine Postal Corporation led by Director Carlo Reynalda Argana, Himlayang Pilipino Life with its Assistant Vice President for Vismin Mr. Charles Mark Uybengkee, Fort San Pedro Executive Director Erwin dela Cerna, Cebu Star Wars Club, Governor Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Mary Kay, Emie Patalagsa, Mary Luz Alaura, Director Rowena Montecillo, Atty. Clarence Paul Oaminal, Dante Luzon, Edwin Uy, Richard Beethoven Uy, Ricardo Teves, Elmer Silva (deceased), Jerald Kervin Uy, Aileen Simbajon, Hsingyi Uy, Khezh Rylette Uy, Duchess Blythe Uybengkee, Marvin Bonjoc, Edmund Gruenbaum, Steve and Dinah Potolin, Kenneth and Gina Turner, Rachel Betos, Eli Espina, Florence Balungcas, Flora May Combate, Nimfa Dakay, Jessa dela Pena, Ferdinand Butch Talon, Reina Kupperblatt, CNU Tourism Management Students (OJT) and everyone who have contributed in making this endeavor a tremendous success.

Happy Hearts Day Folks!

Wishing one and all a day full of Love and Happiness. Happy Valentine's Day!