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.

Today in Philippine History: Rajah Lapu-lapu Against Ferdinand Magellan

APRIL 27, 1521

Ferdinand Magellan with his 49 armored men armed with swords, crossbows, guns, axes and shields sailed from Cebu to Mactan to confront Rajah Lapu-lapu. There, they walked to the shore in waist-deep water as their boats couldn’t go near because of the rocks. As they set foot on land, they were met by 1,500 screeching warriors led by Lapu-lapu. The Spaniards burned the houses which angered the warriors more. In the battle, Lapu-lapu killed Magellan and this came to be known as the Battle of Mactan or “Kadaugan sa Mactan”.

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

Today in Philippine History: Datu Zula of Mactan

APRIL 26, 1521

Datu Zula, one of Mactan’s two chieftains sent his son to Ferdinand Magellan bringing along two goats as presents and to relay the news that more would have been given if not for the opposition of the other chief named Lapu-lapu. Days earlier, Rajah Humabon sent an order to all nearby chiefs to provide food supplies for Magellan’s crew and to be converted to Christianity. Humabon with Zula suggested to Magellan to go to Mactan and force the rebellious Lapu-lapu to abide with the order issued by Rajah Humabon, the ruler of the Visayan region.

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

Today in Philippine History: America Declares War Against Spain

APRIL 25, 1898

President William McKinley’s government declared war on Spain. This was a result of earlier events in Cuba which resulted in the blowing up of the USS Maine in Havana harbor. Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt (who would become president) ordered Commodore George Dewey, the commander of the American Asiatic Squadron to attack the Spanish naval forces in the Philippines. Earlier in Hong Kong, Dewey had discussions with Emilio Aguinaldo’s government-in-exile on the imminent war between America and Spain.

Today in Philippine History: Juan Marcos Arellano

APRIL 25, 1888

Juan Marcos Arellano (April 25, 1888 - Decembe 5, 1960), was born in Tondo, Manila. He finished architecture in the United States and trained in Beaux Arts and was influenced by Art Deco architecture. He designed the Manila Metropolitan Theater (1935), Legislative Building (1926), Manila Central Post Office (1926), Central Student Church now the Central United Methodist Church (1932), Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol (1937), Cebu Provincial Capitol (1937) Bank of the Philippine Islands Cebu Main Branch (1940) and the Jones Bridge.

Today in Philippine History: Fernando Amorsolo Dies at 79

APRIL 24, 1972

Fernando Amorsolo (May 30, 1892 – April 24, 1972), one of the Philippines most important artists died of heart failure. He was a shy, innocent and a pure person whose traits spilled over in his paintings. This artist from Paco, Manila created masterpieces that showed the bright side of things and the purest manifestation of beauty. Amorsolo was popularly known for his mastery in the use of light. One of his works sold for $440,000 in a Christies’ auction in 2010. He was the first National Artist of the Philippines. 

Today in Philippine History: Battle of Quingua

APRIL 23, 1899

The Battle of Quingua was fought during the Philippine-American War (1899-1902) in Quingua, now Plaridel in Bulacan. Gen. Gregorio del Pilar with Col. Pablo Tecson successfully thwarted the advances of the U.S. 4th Cavalry led by Major James Franklin Bell. However, when the 1st Nebraskan Infantry of Col. James M. Stotsenburg arrived to reinforce Bell along with Irving Hale’st 51st Iowa Infantry, 1st South Dakota Infantry and Utah Artillery, the Filipinos retreated. The battle saw Col. Stotsenburg dead with 6 others and wounding 44. Only 13 Filipinos died.

Photo credit: http://philippineamericanwar.webs.com/

Today in Philippine History: Spain Declares War Against America

APRIL 23, 1898

Spain declared war on the United States. Earlier, although faced with revolutions in the Philippines and Cuba, Spain tried to mend the rift with the United States. She wanted to avoid  a war with a nation having modern technology and weaponry even if the U.S. was meddling in the Cuban war of independence. However, the blowing up of the U.S. warship Maine in Havana  harbor killing 260 officers and crewmen changed everything. American officials considered it an act of treason and a reason to declare war even without proof of Spain’s involvement.  

Today in Philippine History: Brig. Gen. Mateo Capinpin

APRIL 22, 1887

Brigadier General Mateo Capinpin (April 22, 1887 – December 28, 1958) was born in Morong, Rizal. He was a patriot, soldier, hero, guerrilla leader and military strategist. During World War II, he commanded the Philippine Army’s 21st Division and was in the Death March. He joined the puppet government upon President Jose P. Laurel’s invitation but used his position to strengthen guerrilla activities against the Japanese. He was awarded the Service Cross and other commendations for his gallantry and heroism.

Photo credit: http://www.army.mil.ph/

Today in Philippine History: Mariano Marcos

APRIL 21, 1897

Mariano Marcos (April 21, 1897 – March 8, 1945) was born in Batac, Ilocos Norte. An educator and a lawyer, he also ran for Congress under the Nacionalista Party and won representing  Ilocos Norte from 1925 to 1931. Marcos was the father of President Ferdinand E. Marcos. He served during the war but two versions surfaced pertaining to his death. The first was that he was executed by the Japanese in Bacnotan, La Union. The other says that he was killed by troops of the Philippine Commonwealth together with guerrilla fighters for being a collaborator.

Photo credit: http://www.mmsu.edu.ph/

Today in Philippine History: Mayon Volcano Erupts

APRIL 20, 1968

Mount Mayon also known as Mayon Volcano erupted. The 1968 eruption spared the lives of 70,000 people living near the 6-mile diameter danger zone after the government evacuated them to safer grounds. Mount Mayon, the majestic volcano with the perfect cone is located in the province of Albay and is the country’s most active volcano. Its eruptions produced pyroclastic flows, mud flows and ash falls that forced thousands people to be evacuated. The 1814 eruption was the most violent where 1,200 residents perished and many towns were devastated. 

Today in Philippine History: President Joseph Ejercito Estrada

APRIL 19, 1937

Joseph Ejercito Estrada popularly known as Erap was born as Jose Marcelo Ejercito in Tondo, Manila. He is a movie actor/producer who became the mayor of San Juan, a senator and vice president to Pres. Fidel V. Ramos. In the 1998 elections, he won by a landslide and became the 13th President of the Philippines and the Third President of the Fifth Republic. Erap was ousted from power during People Power 2 in 1991 and was charged and sentenced for plunder. He was pardoned by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and is the incumbent mayor of the City of Manila.

Please visit my personal collection featuring the stamps of President Estrada at
http://thephilippinepresidentscollection.yolasite.com/joseph-ejercito-estrada.php

Photo credit: http://www.gmanetwork.com/

Eight Churches 2014

Jerald Kervin and I went on with our traditional eight churches visitations (Visita Iglesias) which we always do every Holy Week. We offered our prayers in each place of worship we went. 

The first leg started at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino then to Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and Sto. Rosario Parish. We took a break and dropped by Jollibee P. del Rosario beside Sto. Rosario to have our servings of garlic bangus (milk fish) with rice, fries and some soda and ice cream. 

Church 1: Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, Cebu City

Church 2: Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Cebu City 

Church 3: Sto Rosario Parish, Cebu City 

 

 Food break @ Jollibee Restaurant P. del Rosario Branch, Cebu City

After the meal we proceeded to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish, St. Joseph Patriarch (Mabolo) Church, National Shrine of St. Joseph Mandaue and ended at San Roque Parish. It sure was a very blessed and exciting day for us both! To God be the Glory!

 Church 4: Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Cebu City

Church 5: San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish, Cebu City 

Church 6: St. Joseph Patriarch Parish, Cebu City 

 Church 7: National Shrine of St. Joseph, Mandaue City

 Church 8: San Roque Parish, Mandaue City

Procession @ San Roque Parish, Mandaue City

It's 60 and More to Come..

It's officially 60 posts today for Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition). I hope you enjoyed reading our rich history with stamps and photos. More to come until I finish this series on February 27, 2015.

Today in Philippine History: Vicente Y. Sotto

APRIL 18, 1887

Vicente Yap Sotto (April 18, 1877 – May 28, 1950), the Father of Cebuano Letters was born in Cebu City. In 1899, he came up with La Justicia and published El Nacional. After his relea.se from prison for his writings he used the pseudonym Taga Kotta and published Ang Suga on June 16, 1901. Sotto was a lawyer, a Cebu municipal council member (1902), elected mayor (1907), a representative of the 2nd District of Cebu (1922) and a senator (1946). He authored the 1946 Press Freedom Law (R.A. No. 53) that protects journalists from naming their sources.

Photo credit: Sen. Tito Sotto by Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC)

Today in Philippine History: Vice President Elpidio Quirino Becomes President

APRIL 17, 1948

Vice President Elpidio R. Quirino (November 16, 1890 - February 29, 1956) assumed the presidency after President Manuel A. Roxas died of a heart attack in Clark Field, Pampanga. In the 1949 elections, he ran for president under the Liberal Party and won. His six years in office was credited for postwar reconstruction and a booming economy as well as increased support and aid from the United States. However, his government was accused of widespread graft and corruption and failed to contain the Huks, a communist group led by Luis Taruc.

Please visit my personal collection featuring the stamps of President Quirino at

http://thephilippinepresidentscollection.yolasite.com/elpidio-quirino.php

Today in Philippine History: Gen. Miguel Malvar Surrenders

APRIL 16, 1902

General Miguel Malvar (September 27, 1865 – October 13, 1911) surrendered to U.S. Brig. Gen. James Franklin Bell in Lipa, Batangas. His surrender officially ended the Philippine-American War. Malvar assumed the command of the Philippine Forces after President Emilio Aguinaldo’s capture and exile to Hong Kong in 1901. He then created a new government with him as the head and Commander-in-Chief and conducted guerrilla operations against the Americans.

Today in Philippine History: Emilio Jacinto Dies at 23

APRIL 16, 1899

Emilio Jacinto (December 15, 1875 - April 16, 1899), the brains of the Katipunan died after contracting malaria. Some accounts however narrate that he was critically wounded in a battle in Majayjay, Laguna that led to his death during the Philippine-American War. This brilliant revolutionary who stood by Andres Bonifacio through thick and thin during the Philippine Revolution and the rivalry issues with the Magdalo faction of Emilio Aguinaldo was only 23.

Today in Philippine History: President Manuel A. Roxas Dies

APRIL 15, 1948

President Manuel A. Roxas (January 1, 1892 – April 15, 1948) died of a heart attack. Earlier, he gave a speech before the U.S. Thirteenth Air Force but was rushed to the residence of Major General E. L. Eubank in Clark Field, Pampanga after he felt dizzy. Roxas passed away that same night. He was the fifth President of the Philippines, the first president of the 3rd Philippine Republic and the last president of the Philippine Commonwealth. On April 8, 2001, Pres. Fidel V. Ramos signed R.A. No. 9067 declaring April 15 as President Manuel A. Roxas Day.

Today in Philippine History: The Philippine Red Cross (PRC)

APRIL 15, 1947

 The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) was inaugurated in Malacanang after President Manuel A. Roxas signed Republic Act No. 95 with Aurora Aragon Quezon (February 19, 1888 – April 28, 1949) as the first Chairman. Dona Aurora was the wife of Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon who established an independent Red Cross in 1934. That time, the Philippines was not granted recognition by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) because it was a U.S. territory and then a Commonwealth. At present, Richard Gordon sits as the PRC Chairman.

Today in Philippine History: Magellan's Gift to the Queen

APRIL 14, 1521

After Cebu’s Rajah Humabon and his wife were baptized, Ferdinand Magellan gave Queen Juana an image of the Child Jesus. This gift was well loved by the Cebuanos that they called HIM the “Sto. Nino of Cebu”. Antonio Pigafetta also gave the queen a statue of Our Lady. After being the first to be recovered years later, the Sto. Nino became the symbol of the Catholic Faith in the Philippines and is venerated by Filipinos today. The original image is found at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino and is under the care of the Augustinian Fathers.

Today in Philippine History: Magellan Plants Cross in Cebu

APRIL 14, 1521

Ferdinand Magellan (1480 - April 27, 1521) had a cross planted in Cebu and told Fr. Pedro de Valderama to bless it. Later, the priest baptized Cebu’s Rajah Humabon, his wife and 800 subjects composed of men, women and children. Humabon was named “Don Carlos” in honor of King Charles V of Spain while the queen was called “Dona Juana”, taken from the name of the Spanish queen. The Magellan’s Cross is very much around and is the landmark of Cebu.

Manny Pacquiao Faces Timothy Bradley Again

Here in the Philippines, everyone will be watching the rematch between the People's Champ Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley.  

The last fight between the two was a controversial one wherein Pacquiao lost to Bradley. Let's see who is the better among the two this time. I just hope that this will be Manny's redemption after he knocks down Timothy.

UPDATE: After 12 rounds of dominating Bradley, Manny won the match by a unanimous decision by the judges. Congratulations Pacman for the victory.

Today in Philippine History: Trinidad H. Pardo de Tavera

APRIL 13, 1857

Trinidad Hermenegildo Pardo de Tavera y Gorricho (April 13, 1857 – March 26, 1925) was born in Manila with Spanish and Portuguese ethnicity. A man of vast learning, he was a physician, historian, politician and a versatile writer next to his friend Jose Rizal. His sister Paz was the wife of Juan Luna. During the American period, he was a member of the Philippine Commission and founded the Federal Party. Prior to his death on March 25, 1925, he was the director of the Philippine Library and Museum and founded the Philippine Library Association.

Photo credit: http://bayanihannews.com.au/

Today of Philippine History: Cry of Paminitan

APRIL 12, 1895

Katipunan leader Andres Bonifacio (November 30, 1863 – May 10, 1897) along with Emilio Jacinto, Aurelio Tolentino, Guillermo Masangkay and other Katipuneros went to the mountains of San Mateo and Montalban. A Good Friday, they came across Paminitan cave in Montalban,  Distrito de Morong (Rodriguez, Rizal) and went inside to hold an initiation rite for new members. Bonifacio then wrote on the walls “Viva la Independencia Filipina” and this came to be known as the Cry of Paminitan or The First Cry for Freedom.