World Stamp Today:
FEBRUARY 28, 2023
Greenland Post releases on February 28, 2023 two more stamps in the series ‘School Savings Coupons in Greenland’.
Graphic designer Nina Spore Kreutzmann creates two delightful stamps that reproduce some of the historic savings coupons in 1957 which were original designs by Alex Secher.
The stamps feature Hvalsey Church Ruin and Mt. Thule.
(Concept and design: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved
Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):
FEBRUARY 28, 1903
After his capture in 1900 during the Filipino-American War (1899-1902), 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.
(Design, concept, stamp and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: malacanang.gov.ph
World Stamp Today:
FEBRUARY 27, 2023
On February 27, 2023, La Poste (The Post Office) of France issues a stamp in the artistic series featuring a photo of Laetitia Casta's hand by fashion photographer Dominique Issermann.
The photograph is taken from a book published in 2012, recounting the meeting between the photographer and the model during a stay in the thermal baths of Vals, Switzerland.
Dominique Issermann (born April 11, 1947) is a French photographer who works primarily with black and white photography.
She is famous for her works in portraits, fashion and advertising.
She has shot campaigns for Sonia Rykiel, Christian Dior, Nina Ricci, Guess, Lancôme, La Perla, Tiffany, Chanel and many others. Her work has also been featured in the fashion supplements for The New York Times, Corriere Della Sera and Le Monde.
(Concept and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved
Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):
FEBRUARY 27, 1869
Baldomero Aguinaldo y Baloy (February 27, 1869 - February 4, 1915), a revolutionary general and cousin of President Emilio Aguinaldo, was born in Kawit, Cavite to Cipriano Aguinaldo y Jamir and Silveria Baloy.
He obtained his law degree at the University of Santo Tomas.
When the Philippine Revolution broke out, he and his first degree cousin Emilio Aguinaldo, organized the Magdalo chapter of the Katipunan and became its president.
He fought the Spaniards in many battles and was always at the side of General Emilio Aguinaldo.
He was appointed to cabinet positions such as Minister of National Defense and Minister of Finance, and was one of the signatories of the Pact of Biak-na-Bato Constitution and the Pact of Biak-na-Bato.
Heneral Berong, as he was known, was the commanding general of the revolutionary army in Southern Luzon during the Philippine-American War (Filipino-American War).
He led his troops to battle against the American forces.
General Baldomero Aguinaldo, together with Colonels Pedro Aguinaldo, Sixto Macapagal, Lazaro Macapagal and some officers, surrendered to the Americans on April 29, 1901 in Cavite.
He was president of the Philippine Veterans Association during the American Occupation. He died on February 4, 1915 due to heart failure at the age of 45.
(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: Museo ni Baldomero Aguinaldo
Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):
FEBRUARY 26, 1903
Apolinario Mabini, concerned of his failing health and that he might die in a foreign land, took his oath of allegiance to the United States.
It was a condition for him to be able to return to the Philippines after living as an exile in Guam.
He boarded the U.S. ship Thomas from Guam on his way back to Manila and took the oath before a customs collector and was offered a high position in government but he turned it down.
He explained in a manifesto: "I went into this struggle, heeding the voice of the people; I now abandon the struggle for the same cause. I will now return to the obscurity from which, impelled by circumstances, I have come.”
Apolinario Mabini (July 23, 1864 - May 13, 1903), the first prime minister of the Philippines was known for his powerful intellect and eloquence.
A political genius, Mabini was called the brains of the revolution.
During the Philippine-American War, he was captured by American forces under General Arthur MacArthur and was imprisoned in Fort Santiago on Dec. 11, 1899 to Sept. 23, 1900.
After his release, he wrote for newspapers and continued agitating the Americans.
His article “El Simil de Alejandro" published in El Liberal led to his rearrest.
He was deported to Guam, along with other Filipino patriots on January 16, 1901.
General MacArthur justified his deportation before the United States Senate inquiry through a cable message: “Mabini deported: a most active agitator; persistently and defiantly refusing amnesty, and maintaining correspondence with insurgents in the field while living in Manila, Luzon, under the protection of the United States; also, for offensive statement in regard to recent proclamation enforcing the laws of war. His deportation absolutely essential."
Apolinario Mabini, known as the “Sublime Paralytic” died on May 13, 1903.
(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: Apolinario Mabini FB page
World Stamp Today:
FEBRUARY 26, 2019
The Welcome Stranger Discovered 1869 stamp, designed by John White of Australia Post Design Studio was released on February 26, 2019.
The stamp highlights the discovery of the largest alluvial gold nugget ever found.
It was in the middle of the 19th century when the Victorian gold rush attracted many people from all over the world who wanted to make a fortune.
On February 5, 1869, Cornish miners John Deason and Richard Oates struck gold near the town of Moliagul with their discovery of a massive nugget known as the Welcome Stranger.
Measuring approximately 61 centimetres by 31 centimetres, the nugget lay only three centimetres below the surface, near the base of a tree in Bulldog Gully goldfields.
It had a gross weight of over 100 kilograms and after trimming was taken by spring cart to the London Chartered Bank in nearby Dunolly, where it had to be broken on an anvil to fit on the bank’s scales.
The smelted nugget yielded 2,284 troy ounces (71 kilograms) of gold, for which the bank paid Deason and Oats £9,583 (today’s value would be nearly $4 million). Converted into ingots, the gold was brought to Melbourne, then loaded on the Reigate steamship for the voyage to the Bank of England.
An obelisk was erected near the spot in 1897 that commemorated the discovery of the Welcome Stranger.
Replicas of the nugget are found at Museum Victoria, Melbourne and the Natural History Museum, London.
(Concept and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved
Today in History (Philatelic Edition):
FEBRUARY 25, 1986
Corazon Cojuangco Aquino, the wife of slain opposition leader Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., was sworn in as President of the Republic of the Philippines by Associate Justice Claudio Teehankee at Club Filipino, Metro Manila.
An hour later, President Ferdinand E. Marcos took his oath as President before Chief Justice Ramon C. Aquino at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall of Malacañan Palace.
Earlier, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) declared Marcos and his running mate Arturo Tolentino as the winners in the February 7, 1986 Presidential and Vice Presidential Snap Elections, and the Batasang Pambansa declared the incumbent president as the victor.
On the other hand, the National Citizen's Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), an election watchdog funded by the US government, declared Aquino and Salvador Laurel as the winners.
The opposition refused to accept the COMELEC’s result and called for a nationwide protest and civil disobedience.
On February 22, 1986, Philippine Constabulary Chief Fidel V. Ramos and Secretary of National Defense Juan Ponce Enrile, issued a joint statement asking President Marcos to resign.
Together with their troops, they made Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame as their headquarters.
President Marcos ordered his soldiers to put an end to the rebellion. People gathered along Epifanio de Los Santos Avenue (EDSA) after Jaime Cardinal Sin, the Archbishop of Manila, appealed to the masses to come to the streets and protect the rebel soldiers.
Tanks, armored vehicles and troops loyal to Marcos stopped as people went on their knees to pray the rosary while others sang sacred hymns.
Hours after he was sworn in as president, an American senator advised Marcos to vacate his position.
By midnight, Marcos with his family boarded American helicopters and were flown to Clark Air Base in Angeles City, Pampanga.
They were taken on board US Air Force DC-9 Medivac and C-141B planes to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, then to Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii where they lived in exile.
(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: kahimyang project
World Stamp Today:
FEBRUARY 25, 1980
A set of stamps commemorating the National Letter Writing Week was issued by the United States Postal Service on February 25, 1980.
The 1980 National Letter Writing Week was from February 24 until March 1.
The USPS worked with the National Council of Teachers of English, business leaders and prominent Americans to promote the event.
Letter writing displays were set up in museums, libraries, and buildings of historical significance all over the US.
Libraries and bookstores highlighted books about letters as well as letters written by famous people.
(Concept and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved
World Stamp Today:
FEBRUARY 24, 2023
The United States Postal Service issues the third stamp in its current series of high-denomination definitive (regular-issue) stamps featuring geometric floral patterns.
USPS art director Antonio Alcala worked with Jill Spaeth and Nathan Hill of Spaeth Hill to create the designs for the Floral Geometry stamps.
They created earlier stamps valued at $2 and $5 issued on June 20, 2022.
The designs showcase “a series of overlapping geometric shapes that mimic the symmetry of floral patterns found in nature... the watercolor backgrounds and the glimmer of the foil-stamped designs and typography create a sophisticated look,” the Postal Service said.
The new $10 stamp features a hexagon at the center. A flower with six symmetrical petals is nested inside the hexagon.
(Concept and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved
Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):
FEBRUARY 24, 1937
The City of Cebu celebrates its Charter Day every 24th of February.
In 1521, the Spaniards headed by Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan arrived in Cebu on April 7, 1521 and befriended the king, Rajah Humabon and gifted the queen, Hara Humamay with an image of the Santo Niño (Holy Child).
Magellan planted a cross as a symbol of the natives embracing Christianity.
After he was killed in battle against Lapulapu on April 27, 1521 in the Battle of Mactan, his fleet left Cebu.
44 years later, on April 27, 1565, Spanish Conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi arrived in Cebu.
He ordered his troops to burn the coastal communities after Rajah Tupas, the king of Cebu and nephew of Rajah Humabon challenged him.
Legazpi established a settlement and named it "Villa del Santisimo Nombre de Jesús" (Town of the Most Holy Name of Jesus), after Juan Camus found the Santo Niño in one of the deserted huts.
When the Americans governed the Philippines, Cebu became a municipality in 1901.
Years later, in 1931, Atty. Gervasio L. Lavilles, a councilor in the Municipal Board of Cebu authored Resolution No. 185, requesting Congress to sponsor a bill converting the Municipality of Cebu into a city. Vicente Rama authored House Bill 1428.
On October 20, 1934, Commonwealth Act No. 58 or “An Act Creating the City of Cebu” was approved.
On February 24, 1937, the City of Cebu was inaugurated.
The Secretary of the Interior, Elpidio Quirino (who would become president in a few years), represented President Manuel L. Quezon in the inauguration ceremonies.
He administered the oath of office to the newly appointed city mayor, Alfredo V. Jacinto, and the appointed members of the city council.
Don Vicente Rama came to be known as the “Father of the Cebu City Charter.”
(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: Paul Miaga
World Stamp Today:
FEBRUARY 23, 2023
Cyprus Post releases on February 23, 2023 the “Dragonflies” stamps.
The issue will comprise two stamps at the value of €0,75 and €1,00 each.
Dragonflies are one of the first flying insects on earth, and they make the longest migration of any insect and are the most successful predators in the animal kingdom.
More than 6,000 species have been described worldwide and Cyprus has 32.
Dragonflies undergo incomplete metamorphosis, going straight from larva to adult, the larva being aquatic.
They are important in maintaining the balance of the ecosystems, both as predators and as food for other animals.
Orthetrum sabina (Drury, 1773) flies from April to October. It can be observed at any shallow standing fresh or brackish water.
Epallage fatime (Charpentier, 1840) flies from March to August. It can be observed at permanent slow flowing rocky rivers and streams.
(Concept and research: Richard Anllan Uy) All rights reserved
Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):
FEBRUARY 23, 1945
The Los Baños Raid was carried out by the United States 167 Amphibian Tank Battallion, the 187 Airborne Regiment, the 11th Airborne Division, and Filipino guerrilla units.
Lt. Col. Gustavo Ingles of the Hunters ROTC Guerrillas was the coordinator of the different guerrilla units involved in the operation.
These were the Hunters ROTC Guerrillas, Hukbalahap Guerrillas, Markings Guerrillas, Fil-Am Guerrillas, President Quezon’s Own Guerrillas, Chinese 48 Squadron, and non-regular troops.
Members of Company B jumped into Los Baños while the elite U.S. Recon Platoon, with Lt. Col. Honorio Guerrero, led the ground assault together with the Hunters.
2,147 foreign civilian internees at the camp were liberated and 250 Japanese troops were killed.
The internees were maltreated by the Japanese warrant officer Sadaaki Konishi and were ready to be massacred by the Japanese Imperial Army.
The Philippine Guerrilla Units were organized by appointed commanders and were tasked to carry on the resistance movement against the Japanese, and paved the way for the return of the allied forces.
These guerrilla organizations were recognized by the United States armed forces and played a major part in the liberation of the the Philippines from 1944 to 1945.
The Hunters ROTC Guerrillas was organized in January 1942 by Philippine Military Academy cadets.
Col. Miguel “Mike” Z. Ver was one of the founders and the first commander of the guerrilla unit.
After being killed in action, Col. Eleuterio “Terry” Adevoso succeeded him.
The Unit operated in Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Tayabas, Pangasinan and Manila and was responsible for various sabotage, raids, and killings of Japanese troops.
The United States recognized the Hunters Rotc Guerrilla unit on May 7, 1942 with a strength of 100,000 regulars and 200,000 home guards.
(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: Carl Mydans - LIFE Collections
World Stamp Today:
FEBRUARY 22, 2021
The Vatican Philatelic Office released on February 22, 2021 a block of stamps featuring photographs of some of the pope's meetings with leaders of other world religions.
It also marked the beginning of the ninth year of the pontificate of Pope Francis.
The stamps highlight Francis’ new doctrine in his new encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, that “the different religions, based on their respect for each human person as a creature called to be a child of God, contribute significantly to building fraternity and defending justice in society,” according to the Vatican Philatelic Office.
The stamps celebrate the pope’s encounters with representatives of the Abrahamic religions — with Rome’s Chief Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni (January 2016) ,with Grand Imam of al-Azhar Ahmed al-Tayyeb (February 2019), the pontiff's meeting the supreme patriarch of Thailand’s Buddhist community, Somdej Phra Maha Muneewon (November 2019), and Hindu leader Ndu-Kurukkal SivaSri T. Mahadeva in Sri Lanka (January 2015).
(Concept and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved
Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):
FEBRUARY 22, 1899
The Second Battle of Caloocan was fought between President Emilio Aguinaldo’s troops against the American forces during the Philippine-American War (Filipino-American War).
General Antonio Luna, accompanied by General Mariano Llanera led the counter offensive aimed at regaining Manila from the Americans.
As a result, the attack against the surprised American units led to the burning of Tondo and Binondo upon orders of General Luna.
American fire brigades rushed to control the flames as the city was in near chaos.
Filipinos with bolos cut the hoses of the firemen while snipers took shots at the Americans.
As General Luna’s troops entered Tondo, furious street fighting ensued between the two forces.
The Filipinos were able to advance until Azcarraga Street (now Claro M. Recto Avenue) but were repulsed by the U.S. troops.
Two days later, the Filipinos retreated to Malolos after their offensive failed for lack of coordination among the troops and lack of artillery support.
60 buildings of stone, 150 buildings of wood and 8,000 nipa homes were burned to the ground.
(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: en.wikipedia.org and tennyson nelly
World Stamp Today:
FEBRUARY 21, 2020
The U.S. Postal Service celebrated the exotic beauty of Wild Orchids with 10 new stamps released on February 21, 2020.
Art director Ethel Kessler made the design while Jim Fowler did the photographs of the orchids.
Each stamp features a photograph of one of the following species: Cypripedium californicum, Hexalectris spicata, Cypripedium reginae, Spiranthes odorata, Triphora trianthophoros, Platanthera grandiflora, Cyrtopodium polyphyllum, Calopogon tuberosus, and Platanthera leucophaea.
Orchids are loved by both plant experts and casual flower lovers for their beautiful colors, unusual look and delicate features.
(Concept and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved
Today in a Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):
FEBRUARY 21, 1945
The Battle for the Liberation of Baguio began. It was part of General Douglas MacArthur’s campaign to liberate the Philippines during World War II.
Troops from the United States Army's 33rd Infantry Division, together with regiments of the Philippine guerrilla force United States Army Forces in the Philippines – Northern Luzon, began their drive towards Baguio.
By March, Baguio was within range for the Allied artilleries.
President Jose P. Laurel, who was installed by the Japanese to head the Second Philippine Republic, left Baguio on March 22, 1945 and arrived in Taiwan on March 30.
Other members of the puppet government and Japanese civilians were ordered to evacuate Baguio on March 30.
General Tomoyuki Yamashita, the commander of the Japanese 14th Area Army and his staff relocated to Bambang. General Yamashita made Baguio his headquarters in December of 1944.
It was only in April when a major offensive was carried by the Americans against the Japanese troops.
The 37th Infantry Division launched a two-division assault from the west and south.
A six-day battle was fought in the west with tank-versus-tank battle between the American M4 Sherman’s of the US Army’s Company B, 775th Tank Battalion against the Type 97s of the Imperial Japanese Army’s 5th Tank Company, 10th Tank Regiment.
The Battle for the Liberation of Baguio ended on April 26, 1945.
(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: Handmade by Heroes
Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):
FEBRUARY 20, 1942
President Manuel L. Quezon together with his family, Vice President Sergio Osmeña, Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos, General Basilio Valdez, Manuel Nieto, and Fr. Ortiz boarded the submarine Swordfish in Corregidor, on their way to San Jose de Buenavista, Antique.
The previous day, the evacuation of the civil government began after it became evident that Corregidor will soon be captured by the Japanese.
Incidentally, it was also the birthday of First Lady Aurora Quezon and Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos. US General Douglas MacArthur advised President Quezon to leave for Australia.
The Swordfish left Corregidor while Japanese forces bombarded the island fortress from Cavite.
The group arrived at their destination on February 22, 1942 at 2:40 A.M.
From Antique, Quezon’s party went to Iloilo City by land then left for Bacolod City on board the MV Princess of Negros.
Before he left, President Quezon gave General MacArthur his ring and said: “When they find your body, I want them to know you fought for my country.” Two days later, US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt ordered MacArthur to leave for Australia.
(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: pinterest
World Stamp Today:
FEBRUARY 20, 1962
The "Project Mercury" postage stamp was issued on February 20, 1962.
The stamps feature the “Friendship 7” space capsule flown by Col. John Glenn in the first successful orbit of the Earth.
The stamp was designed by Charles R. Chickering. Richard M. Bower did the picture engraving while Howard F. Sharpless made the letter engraving.
On Feb. 20, 1962, Col. John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth successfully.
While his capsule was being pulled from the water, the 4¢ Project Mercury stamps went on sale at post offices across the United States.
If Glenn’s mission had ended in a catastrophic failure, the stamps would have been destroyed and never released.
The Project Mercury stamp was cloaked in secrecy from the time it was conceived.
(Concept and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved
It was a rainy Sunday afternoon but Cebu Stamp Club members gathered for the February stamp meetup.
Free stamps and commercial covers were raffled off.
Tips on how to mount an exhibit page for our upcoming stamp competition this year were shared.
Thanks guys for braving the rain and the floods. Salute!
Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):
February 19, 1886
Jose Abad Santos (February 19, 1886 - May 2, 1942), Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was born in San Fernando, Pampanga to Vicente Abad Santos and Toribia Basco.
He was sent to the United States as a government pensioner and finished his pre-law at Santa Clara College in California.
He graduated Bachelor of Laws at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and Master of Laws at George Washington University in 1909.
He was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1911 and served as Assistant Attorney at the Bureau of Justice from 1913 to 1917.
He was appointed as the first Filipino corporate lawyer of the Philippine National Bank, Manila Railroad Company and other government corporations.
Abad Santos served as Attorney General, Undersecretary of Justice, and Secretary of Justice from 1921 - 1923.
During World War II, on December 24, 1941, he became the country’s fifth Chief Justice.
He went to Corregidor along with the Commonwealth government and administered President Manuel L. Quezon’s and Vice President Sergio Osmeña’s oath of office for their second term on December 30, 1941.
President Quezon with his government, left for the United States after the rapid advancement of the Japanese forces.
He appointed Abad Santos to be the Acting President with full authority to act in the name of, and on behalf of the President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and become the Acting Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in some areas unoccupied by the Japanese.
On April 11, 1942, he was captured together with his son Jose “Pepito” Jr., Col. Benito Valeriano and two enlisted men.
Japanese High Commander Kiyotake Kawaguchi informed him of his impending execution.
On May 2, 1942, after refusing to be blindfolded and refusing to accept a cigarette offered to him, he was executed under a tall coconut tree near a river bank in Malabang, Lanao.
(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: wikipedia.org
Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):
FEBRUARY 18, 1902
General Vicente Lukban was captured by American forces in Catubig, Samar.
On Feb. 27, 1902, the New York Times reported: “The officials of the War Department regard the capture of Lucban as the most important military event since Aguinaldo's capture.
He was run down on the Island of Samar. The place of his confinement is a tiny island in a bay on the north coast of Samar. Lucban is one of the most energetic and ferocious of rebels.
He is a half-breed, a mixture of Chinese and Filipino stock, and has been an irreconcilable from the first.
He had various fastnesses in the mountains of Samar, from which he would descend upon the coast towns, and his reign of terror was so complete that the entire population of the island paid tribute to him as the price of freedom from attack."
General Vicente Lukban (February 11, 1860 - November 16, 1916), was born in Labo, Camarines Norte.
He studied at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, and took up Bachelor of Laws at the University of Santo Tomas and Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
He was Justice of the Peace and joined Freemasonry in 1884. He became a member of Andres Bonifacio’s Katipunan, and contributed funds from his cooperative.
During the Philippine Revolution, he joined Emilio Aguinaldo and was one of the officers who helped plan strategies and activities.
On Oct. 29, 1898, Aguinaldo appointed him Comandante Militar of the Bicol region, and was promoted General of Samar and Leyte.
When the Philippine-American War (Filipino-American War) broke out on Feb. 4, 1899, he established his arsenal in the mountains of Catbalogan and carried out guerrilla warfare.
The Americans accused him as the mastermind of the Balangiga Massacre where American troops were attacked and killed.
(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: Vicente Lukban Facebook
World Stamp Today:
FEBRUARY 18, 2022
Hongkong Post released a special stamp issue on February 18, 2022 highlighting the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development.
The set of 11 shows the landmarks and latest developments of the two Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macao, and the nine municipalities in Guangdong Province, namely Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing, within the Greater Bay Area.
Hong Kong, Macao, Guangzhou and Shenzhen are positioned as core engines for regional development of the Greater Bay Area.
February 18, 2022, marks the third anniversary of the promulgation of the Outline Development Plan.
(Concept and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved
World Stamp Today:
FEBRUARY 17, 2020
The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) launched on February 17, 2020, the 27th edition of the UN Endangered Species Stamps series.
Portuguese designer Sandra Macieira, did the 2020 batch featuring 12 stamps that showcase a wide range of species found worldwide, depicting migratory birds, fish and mammal species including migratory marine species.
These include the Great Hammerhead Shark, the Andean Flamingo, the Dalmatian Pelican, Egyptian Vulture, the Saker Falcon, the Siberian Crane, the Addax, the Argali Sheep, the Kiang, the Lion, the Harbour Porpoise and Narwhal.
(Concept and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved
Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):
FEBRUARY 17, 1872
Fr. Mariano Gomez, Fr. Jose Burgos and Fr. Jacinto Zamora, more known as the GOMBURZA priests, were publicly executed by garrote at Bagumbayan by Spanish colonial authorities on false charges of treason and sedition arising from the 1872 Cavite mutiny.
On January 20, 1872, two hundred people composed of soldiers and laborers employed at the Cavite arsenal led by Sergeant Fernando La Madrid staged a revolt and killed Spanish officers on sight including the commanding officer, after Governor General Rafael de Izquierdo imposed a personal tax on them.
General Felipe Ginoves led a regiment and besieged Fort San Felipe until all the mutineers surrendered. Most were executed while some were imprisoned.
The Spanish authorities then used the mutiny to tag as masterminds prominent Filipinos, and the three secular priests for their advocacy in promoting equal rights among priests and leading a campaign against Spanish friars.
They were at the forefront for secularization in the Philippines and became a threat to the Spanish clergy.
The martyrdom of the priests angered the Filipinos. It paved the way for the first stirrings for the Philippine Revolution.
Dr. Jose P. Rizal dedicated his second book, El Filibusterismo to the memory of GOMBURZA.
He wrote, “The Government, by enshrouding your trial in mystery and pardoning your co-accused, has suggested that some mistake was committed when your fate was decided; and the whole of the Philippines, in paying homage to your memory and calling you martyrs, totally rejects your guilt. The Church, by refusing to degrade you, has put in doubt the crime charged against you.”
(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved
Photo credit: Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines
World Stamp Today:
FEBRUARY 16, 2023
Royal Mail marks the 60th anniversary of X-Men with a new set of 17 special stamps on February 16, 2023.
The stamps feature some of the most iconic characters in the comic book franchise since 1963.
Marvel is one of the world’s most prominent entertainment companies with a vast catalogue of iconic Super Hero characters which include the X-Men.
The 12 stamps in the main set are all original illustrations and have been created exclusively for Royal Mail by renowned British comic book artist Mike McKone.
They feature: Professor X; Kitty Pryde; Angel; Colossus; Jubilee; Cyclops; Wolverine; Jean Grey; Iceman, Storm; Beast; and Rogue.
An additional set of five stamps in the form of a miniature sheet has also been designed by comic book artist Lee Garbett and feature some of the mutant enemies faced by the X-Men – Juggernaut, Mystique, Magneto, Emma Frost and Sabretooth.
The X-Men were founded by mutant telepath Professor Charles Xavier. His first team consisted of Cyclops (Scott Summers), Marvel Girl (Jean Grey), Angel (Warren Worthington III), Beast (Hank McCoy) and Iceman (Bobby Drake) and was based in Xavier’s home, which was transformed into the School for Gifted Youngsters and dubbed the X-Mansion.
After many of the original X-Men were captured by the mutant island of Krakoa, Professor X formed a new squad to rescue them, bringing heroes such as Wolverine and Storm into a new international team.
Xavier’s school soon became a refuge for mutants from all over the world, forming and inspiring teams such as the New Mutants, Excalibur and Generation X. Now the X-Men live in a new home – a reborn Krakoa – that welcomes all mutants.
Cyclops and his allies still fight the good fight as the world’s premier mutant heroes the X-Men, keeping Xavier’s dream alive.
(Concept and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved
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