Still Stampin' (Darthphilatelist in Hyper Mode...): August 2023

Thursday, August 31, 2023

Eraño de Guzman Manalo Dies

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

AUGUST 31, 2009

Eraño de Guzman Manalo (January 2, 1925 - August 31, 2009), the second Executive Minister of the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), passed away at the age of 84 due to cardiopulmonary arrest.

Born in Quezon City, Ka Erdy as he was called by many, took over the administration of the church in 1963 after the death of his father, Felix Manalo.

Under his leadership, the INC saw a continuous increase in membership. The houses of worship proliferated and the Iglesia ni Cristo propagated in six continents of the globe.

His son Eduardo now sits as Executive Minister.

Photo credit: philstar

Ramon Valera y Oswalds

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

AUGUST 31, 1912

Ramon Valera y Oswalds (August 31, 1912 - May 25, 1972), haute couture, designer and the first National Artist for Fashion Design was born in Abra.

One of the first male fashion designers in the Philippines, he was known for his elegant gowns and ternos in the 1930’s until the 1960’s.

He is credited for the butterfly sleeves that is the defining feature of the terno. Valera helped mold generations of artists, and helped fashion to become no less than a nation's sense of aesthetics.

Among his illustrious clients were First Ladies Aurora Quezon and Imelda Marcos.

Photo Credit: Facebook com/Ramon O Valera

Bonifacio Retreats To The Hills

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

AUGUST 31, 1896

After their defeat in the Battle of San Juan del Monte, Andres Bonifacio together with Emilio Jacinto, Macario Sakay, Apolonio Samson and Faustino Guillermo made camp in the hills of Marikina, Montalban and San Mateo and were joined by other revolutionaries.

In Cavite, the Katipuneros won many battles. Emilio Aguinaldo led the revolt in Kawit while Mariano Alvarez liberated Noveleta.

The forces under Artemio Ricarte, Tomas Mascardo, Juan Cailles, Vito Belarmino, Mariano Trias and Marcelino Aure were victorious against the Spanish troops.

Photo credit: R. A. Uy

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Marcelo Hilario del Pilar y Gatmaitán

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

AUGUST 30, 1850

Marcelo Hilario del Pilar y Gatmaitán (August 30, 1850 – July 4, 1896), a writer, lawyer, and journalist was born in Kupang, San Nicolas, Bulacan.

Known as Plaridel, he sat as editor of Diariong Tagalog, a newspaper that criticized the abuses of the Spanish authorities and friars.

He left for Spain after being accused as a subversive. He headed the Asociación Hispano-Filipina de Madrid’s political section and succeeded Graciano Lopez-Jaena as editor of La Solidaridad, the Reform Movement’s newspaper.

He died in Spain after being ill with tuberculosis.

Photo credit: tumblr.malacanang.gov.ph

The First Battle

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

AUGUST 30, 1896

The Battle of San Juan del Monte or the Battle of Pinaglabanan was the first real battle between the Katipuneros and the Spaniards.

Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto marched with their men from Mandaluyong while Sancho Valenzuela’s troops came from Santa Mesa.

Armed with bolos, small arms and spears, they attacked Spanish troops at El Polvorin (powder depot) in San Juan del Monte killing the commander.

Reinforcements under Gen. Bernardo Echaluce y Jauregui arrived killing 153 rebels and capturing 200. Bonifacio retreated to the Pasig River.

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

The People Rose Up In Arms

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

AUGUST 30, 1896

Simultaneous with the attack in El Polvorin led by Andres Bonifacio, the people of Santa Mesa, Pandacan, Pateros, Taguig, San Pedro, Makati, Caloocan, Balik-balik, and San Juan del Monte in Manila, and San Francisco de Malabon, Kawit and Noveleta in Cavite also rose up in arms.

Gov. Gen. Ramon Blanco placed under martial law the eight provinces of Luzon - Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Tarlac. Katipuneros captured in El Polverin that included Sancho Valenzuela were summarily tried and executed.

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

The Guardia Civil Arrest Tandang Sora

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

AUGUST 29, 1896

Melchora “Tandang Sora” Aquino, the “Mother of the Katipunan” was arrested by the Guardia Civil at Pasong Putik after they found out about her revolutionary activities.

She used her home and yard as a venue for meetings and took care of the sick and wounded Katipuneros. She also gave encouragement and prayed for them.

Tandang Sora was jailed and interrogated by the Spanish authorities but she never gave any information concerning Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan. Gov. Gen. Ramon Blanco exiled her to the Marianas Islands.

Paulino Torres Santos Dies

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

AUGUST 29, 1945

Paulino Torres Santos (June 22, 1890 – August 29, 1945), a military general under President Manuel L. Quezon, died of pneumonia in Kiangan while a prisoner of the Japanese in World War II.

In 1935, Governor Frank Murphy awarded him the Medal of Valor for his gallantry in Mindanao.

Santos was Director of the Bureau of Prisons, Philippine Army Chief of Staff and General Manager of the National Land Settlement Administration.

Under President Jose P. Laurel, he was appointed as the commanding general of the Philippine Constabulary.

Buayan (Dadiangas) was renamed General Santos City.

Photo credit: commons wikimedia org and army.mil.ph

Bonifacio's Troops Attack The Spaniards

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

AUGUST 29, 1896

Andres Bonifacio and his Katipuneros met with Felix Sanchez, the Katipunan Sapa Chapter Chairman in Hagdang Bato, Mandaluyong.

At 7:00 PM, a thousand Katipuneros and the local police force attacked the Guardia Civil troops.

Bonifacio, Emilio Jacinto, Genaro de los Reyes and Vicente Leyba advanced to San Juan del Monte.

Gen. Ramon Buenaventura took the town of Pandacan and proceeded to Sta. Mesa. Generals Santiago Alvarez, Artemio Ricarte and Mariano Trias led their troops to Noveleta and San Francisco de Malabon.

Monday, August 28, 2023

Silliman University

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

AUGUST 28, 1901

Silliman University or SU, a private research university in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental was established by Dr. David Sutherland Hibbard for the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions.

Formerly called Silliman Institute (1901-1938), it was named after Dr. Horace Brinsmade Silliman, an American businessman and philanthropist from New York who donated the initial amount of $10,000 to start the school.

SU is the first American university in the Philippines and all of Asia. It is considered a national landmark by the National Historical Institute.

Photo credit: en.wikipedia.org and http://cebustampclub.tripod.com

Andres Bonifacio Issues A Manifesto

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

AUGUST 28, 1896

Andres Bonifacio issued the manifesto Katipunang Mararahas ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Society of Enraged Sons of the Country). This general proclamation called for all towns to rise and simultaneously attack Manila on August 29, 1896.

He sent generals to lead this offensive against the Spanish authorities. The manifesto also warned that those who will obstruct the ideals of the people shall be considered as traitors and enemies of the cause and be tried according to the regulations that are put in force.

The stamp included here is the Bonifacio Monument done by National Artist Guillermo Tolentino and is found in Grace Park, Caloocan City.

This memorial is dedicated to Katipunan Supremo Andres Bonifacio. Work on the monument began on November 30, 1929 and was finished on November 30, 1933.

Photo credit: officialgazette.gov.ph

Nazaria L. Lagos

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

AUGUST 28, 1851

Nazaria L. Lagos (August 28, 1851 – January 27, 1945), known as the “Florence Nightingale of Panay,” was born in Barrio Burongan, Laglag (now Dueñas), Iloilo.

During the Philippine Revolution, her house was used as a secret meeting place by revolutionary leaders under Gen. Martin Delgado while the family’s hacienda in Angaro served as a food and supply depot.

She built a hospital and nursed the sick and wounded revolutionaries. Lagos was a Red Cross leader who sewed the Philippine Flag raised at the Dueñas town square on June 12, 1899.

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

Photo credit: thenewstoday.info

Sunday, August 27, 2023

Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. Brought To Fort Bonifacio

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

AUGUST 27, 1973

Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. was brought back to Fort Bonifacio to face the Military Commission No. 2 on August 27, 1973.

He was charged with murder, illegal possession of firearms, and subversion. He refused to participate in the trial and called it a mockery.

Ninoy came out with a speech which made the military tribunal decide to suspend the hearings.

Earlier, on September 23, 1972, after President Ferdinand E. Marcos announced martial law, Ninoy was arrested together with Jose "Pepe" Diokno, and the members of the opposition.

They were detained at Camp Crame then to Fort Bonifacio. He and Diokno were placed in solitary confinement after he smuggled letters through his wife Cory, denouncing the Marcos regime.

On March 12, 1973, both of them were brought to Fort Magsaysay in Laur, Nueva Ecija by a chopper where they were placed again in solitary confinement.

On November 25, 1977, the Military Commission found Aquino, along with NPA leaders Bernabe Buscayno (Kumander Dante) and Lt. Victor Corpus, guilty and sentenced to death by firing squad.

After his conviction, Ninoy was never executed. He was allowed to run in the 1978 Interim Batasang Pambansa elections where he formed the Lakas ng Bayan or LABAN party list, which the Laban symbol was popularized.

He suffered a heart attack in March 1980 and was rushed to the Philippine Heart Center where he had a second heart attack.

Ninoy was permitted to have a bypass surgery in the United States at Dallas, Texas. He went in self-exile with his family in Newton, Boston, Massachusetts where he remained critical of Marcos.

In 1981, he delivered a speech where he said that "I have asked myself many times: Is the Filipino worth suffering, or even dying for?"

Despite the disapproval from family and friends, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. returned to the Philippines on August 21, 1983, under the name Marcial Bonifacio.

After his death, his wife Cory and son Noynoy became presidents.

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Speaker Jose Bayani "Pepito" Laurel, Jr.

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2)

AUGUST 27, 1912

Jose Bayani "Pepito" Laurel, Jr. (August 27, 1912 – March 11, 1998), the 9th and 12th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the son of Pres. Jose P. Laurel, was born in Tanauan, Batangas.

He finished law at the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1936 and passed the bar the following year.

His career in Congress focused on economic issues and was a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission.

His brother Salvador became Vice President in 1986 while another brother, Sotero was elected Senator in 1987. He died of pneumonia at 85.

Photo credit: gov.ph

Gen. Licerio Geronimo

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

AUGUST 27, 1855

Licerio Geronimo (August 27, 1855 – January 16, 1924), a revolutionary general was born in Sampaloc, Manila.

His grandfather introduced him to Andres Bonifacio, whose beliefs and virtues influenced him. He joined the Katipunan and became head of the council in Wawa, Montalban.

After Bonifacio’s death, he became Division General of Rizal Province. Aguinaldo promoted him Major General after his victory in San Rafael, Batangas and Gen. Antonio Luna made him 3rd Military Zone Commander.

He killed U.S. Gen. Henry W. Lawton in the Battle of San Mateo.

Photo credit: battleofsanmateo.blogspot.com

Saturday, August 26, 2023

Cebu Stamp Club's New Facebook Page

Hi friends, please do add and follow Cebu Stamp Club's new page in Facebook. Thank you 🙂🇵🇭

Hukbalahap Attacks 11 Towns

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

AUGUST 26, 1950

Around 5000 Communist Hukbalahap guerrillas also known as the Huks ravaged and seized 11 towns in Central Luzon and confiscated money, food, weapons, ammunition, clothing, medicine, and office supplies.

400 armed Huks raided the municipality of Sta. Cruz, Laguna. They took the cashier of the provincial treasurer's office, from his house and at gunpoint forced him to open the treasury vault at the provincial capitol and took away the cash. They burned and looted the buildings in the town. Around 20 prisoners were released and kidnapped 9 provincial guards. 4 civilians, and 19 army personnel were either injured or killed. 15 rebels died in the incident.

A day earlier, on August 15, 1950, they attacked, raided and set afire Camp Macabulos in Tarlac. The casualties included 13 military men, 9 civilians and a Red Cross nurse.

In Tarlac, Tarlac, 200 Huks of the FC-22, 24 and 25 raided and attacked the town and unlawfully released 33 prisoners from the provincial jail.

FC-21 composed of 90 Huks raided the municipality of Arayat, Pampanga, and took away the money from the Arayat Post Office, and properties belonging to the municipality of Arayat. They also killed an Attorney Samia in his house.

The Huks were responsible for the ambush and death of Mrs. Aurora Aragon Quezon (chairman of the Philippine Red Cross and widow of Pres. Manuel L. Quezon) and members of her party on April 28, 1949.

The Huks carried out a campaign of raids, hold ups, robbery, ambushes, murder, rape, massacres, kidnapping and intimidation.

Ramon Magsaysay, who was appointed as the defense secretary of Pres. Elpidio Quirino on September 1950 was instrumental in the defeat of the Huks.

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

The Cry

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

AUGUST 26, 1896

Andres Bonifacio urged the members of the Katipunan to rise in arms against Spain. They tore their cedulas personales or community tax certificates accompanied by patriotic shouts. This was called the Cry of Balintawak or the Cry of Pugad Lawin.

This event has everyone confused as historians gave different dates and places of the “Cry.” Teodoro Kalaw’s book in 1925 mentioned that it happened in the last week of August in Kangkong, Balintawak.

Santiago Alvarez, a Katipunero and son of Gen. Mariano Alvarez stated in 1927 that it was on August 24, 1896 in Bahay Toro which is now Quezon City.

Pio Valuenzuela in 1948 said that it was on August 23, 1896 in Pugad Lawin. Gregorio Zaide’s books gave August 26, 1896 as the date of the “Cry” which took place in Balintawak. Teodoro Agoncillo wrote in 1956 that it was on August 23, 1896 in Pugad Lawin.

The Cry was officially commemorated on August 26, 1908 after the American colonial government repealed the Sedition Law.

In 1911, a monument featuring the Cry with a lone figure depicting Bonifacio was erected in Balintawak. It was later transferred to U.P. Diliman.

In 1963, President Diosdado Macapagal declared that the official commemorations be on August 23 in Pugad Lawin.

The National Historical Institute of the Philippines installed a historical marker in Pugad Lawin in 1984.

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Spanish Authorities Send Reinforcements

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

AUGUST 26, 1896

After the first skirmish the day before between the Guardia Civil troops under the command of Lt. Manuel Ros and the Katipuneros, Spanish authorities sent reinforcements to assault Andres Bonifacio’s KKK forces.

Arriving in Pasong Tamo, they did not find any rebels so out of frustration, they shot and killed two farmers who were on their way home.

Back in Manila, the Spanish troops bragged how they inflicted heavy casualty on the Katipuneros and how they drove them away to the mountains.

Photo credit: oocities.org

Friday, August 25, 2023

USS Picuda Sinks Japanese Destroyer

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

AUGUST 25, 1944

At the western entrance to the Babuyan Channel, the USS Picuda (SS 382) sinks the Japanese destroyer IJN Yūnagi 20 miles north-northeast of Cape Bojeador, Philippines on August 25, 1944.

The Picuda left Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in wolf-pack with sister ships Redfish and Spadefish on July 23 and headed towards Luzon for her third war patrol.

By August 25, the Picuda spotted ten ships at the beach of Luzon. Slipping past five escorts, and three Japanese patrol planes overhead, she launched six torpedoes towards the 1943-ton cargo ship Kotoku Maru which destroyed the ship.

She then skillfully maneuvered for a down-the-throat shot that sank the 1270-ton pursuing Japanese destroyer Yūnagi then went deeper in the interior of Luzon Strait.

The Japanese destroyer Yūnagi ("Evening Calm") was one of nine Kamikaze-class destroyers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) in the 1920s.

The USS Picuda (SS-382), a Balao-class submarine, was originally called Obispo, making her the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for the obispo, a spotted sting ray.

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Cebu Stamp Friday #11

51st WORLD EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

Date of Issue: February 1, 2016

Released by: Vatican Post

Denomination: Euro 0.95

Design: Sto. Niño de Cebu, the Eucharistic

symbols of grapes and ears and the logo of

the Eucharistic Congress. The gleaming white

background underlines the value of the richly

decorated cloak of the baby Jesus.

Denomination: Euro 1.00

Design: the cathedral of Cebu and a detail of

the cross of the monument, the sun and the

colors red, blue, and yellow from the Philippine

flag, a group of statues which represents

several historical events, mainly concerning

the city, of the ancient to modern.

Artist: Gabriella Titotto

Francisco de Sande Arrives In Manila

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

AUGUST 25, 1575

Francisco de Sande (1540 – September 12, 1602) arrived in Manila and started his duties as the third Spanish governor and captain-general of the Philippines until April 1580. He left Acapulco, Mexico on April 6, 1575 to replace Guido de Lavezares. Among his exploits was the successful expedition to Borneo on March 3, 1578 where he took possession of the island and returned to Manila with lots of war spoils. During his term, the pirates of Sulu were subdued and became farmers and paid tributes to the Spanish Crown. His governorship also saw the arrival in 1578 of the first 15 Franciscans, who were temporarily housed at the Augustinian convent in Intramuros. One of the churches built by the Franciscans is the San Gregorio Magno Parish in Majayjay, Laguna in 1580. The La Ciudad de Nueva Caceres (present day Naga City) was established by Captain Pedro de Sanchez in 1575 in honor of Governor-General Francisco de Sande who was a native of Caceres, Spain.

Photo credit: juandelacruzguttierez.es

The First Skirmish

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

AUGUST 25, 1896

Women Katipuneros saw a Guardia Civil unit and infantrymen approaching the KKK headquarters so they informed Andres Bonifacio, who ordered his men to be prepared.

The first skirmish began when the Spaniards fired and killed two Katipuneros. Bonifacio’s forces retaliated and killed one enemy.

Knowing that their bolos and guns were no match to the superior weapons of the authorities, the Katipuneros retreated while the Spaniards also retreated after finding they were outnumbered. The retreats avoided a bloody encounter between the two forces.

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Pres. Manuel L. Quezon Honors The MacArthurs

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

AUGUST 24, 1936

At a dinner in Malacañang Palace for Field Marshal Douglas MacArthur, President Manuel L. Quezon delivered a speech to honor him and his father General Arthur MacArthur Jr., the military governor general of the Philippine Islands.

He talked about his first time to walk the grounds of Malacañang and enter the Palace halls to see Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo who was a prisoner.

He shared that in 1900, after Aguinaldo's capture, Gen. Tomas Mascardo ordered him to surrender to the American authorities and inquire about Aguinaldo.

Quezon surrendered to Lt. Lawrence S. Miller in Mariveles and after taking the oath of allegiance to the United States, he was immediately released and told to go to Manila on one of the army launches and to proceed directly to Malacañang where Aguinaldo was detained. He spoke of how he was received by Gen. MacArthur.

Pres. Quezon paid homage to Gen. Arthur MacArthur Jr., whom he said "while directing the campaign that was finally to bring about the surrender of the Filipino forces, he was at the same time laying the foundation for civil government and ordered liberty."

To Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Pres. Quezon said "it is now my privilege to hand to you, General, your commission as Field Marshal of the Philippine Army. To that rank there has traditionally attached a badge of office—a marshal’s baton..."

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Jorge Bartolome Vargas

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

AUGUST 24, 1890

Jorge Bartolome Vargas (August 24, 1890 - February 22, 1980), a lawyer, sportsman and civic leader was born in Bago City, Negros Occidental.

He was a charter member of the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation (now the Philippine Olympic Committee) and one of the founders of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.

In 1941, he sat as the Secretary of National Defense and was appointed by President Manuel Quezon as mayor of the Greater Manila Area.

Vargas was chairman of the Philippine Executive Commission in 1942 to 1943 and Ambassador to Japan from 1943 to 1945.

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Andres Bonifacio Declares Armed Revolution Against Spain

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

AUGUST 24, 1896

Andres Bonifacio convened the Kataastaasang Kapulungan (Supreme Council) and declared an armed revolution against Spain.

The Katipunan was transformed as an open de facto government and an election was held. The officials of the Haring Bayang Katagalugan were Andres Bonifacio (President), Emilio Jacinto (Sec. of State), Teodoro Plata (Sec. of War), Aguedo del Rosario (Sec. of War), Briccio Pantas (Sec. of Justice), Enrique Pacheco (Sec. of Finance), Daniel Tirona (Secretary General) and Silvestre Baltazar (Treasurer General).

Photo credit: facebook com/Bonifacio2013

Happy Anniversary Cebu Stamp Club!

Happy Anniversary Cebu Stamp Club. We are now 27 years old 🎊🎉🇵🇭

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

The Manila Hostage Crisis

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

AUGUST 23, 2010

The Manila Hostage Crisis began when Rolando Mendoza, a 55-year old former police officer boarded a tourist bus at the Rizal Park in Manila on August 23, 2010.

Carrying an M16 rifle, he hijacked the bus carrying 25 people composed of a Hong Kong tour guide with 20 tourists, 3 Filipino tour guides and the bus driver.

He claimed that he was unfairly dismissed from his job and wants a fair hearing on his case. Nine hostages, six Hong Kong nationals and three Filipinos, mostly women and children, were released in stages.

TV stations broadcasted live the hostage drama. After a stand-off, Mendoza started to open fire. The driver managed to escape and after a 90-minute gun battle with the police, Mendoza and eight of the hostages were killed while several others were injured.

President Benigno Aquino III in a news conference said that negotiators had thought the situation would be resolved peacefully, and the hostage taker did not appear set on hurting others or himself.

The Philippine and Hong Kong governments made separate investigations into the incident and concluded that the Philippine officials' poor handling of the situation caused the eight hostages' deaths.

After the incident, the Hong Kong government gave the Philippines a “black” travel status, which was eventually lifted.

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Manuel V. Moran Dies

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

AUGUST 23, 1961

Manuel V. Moran (October 27, 1893 - August 23, 1961), the Father of Philippine Remedial Law and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from July 9, 1945 to March 20, 1951 died due to cerebral hemorrhage.

Born in Binalonan, Pangasinan, he earned his Bachelor of Laws degree at the Escuela de Derecho de Manila and was admitted in the bar in 1913.

He was appointed Chief Justice by President Sergio Osmena in 1945 and swore into office President Manuel Roxas and President Elpidio Quirino. Moran was the first ambassador to Spain and the Vatican.

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Andres Bonifacio and Revolutionaries Arrive in Pugad Lawin

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

AUGUST 23, 1896

Supremo Andres Bonifacio with Emilio Jacinto and 1,000 Katipuneros arrived in Pugad Lawin and gathered at the house of Juan Ramos, the son of Melchora ”Tandang Sora” Aquino.

With the Supremo’s prodding, the Katipuneros tore their cedula (community tax certificate) as a symbol of their determination to take arms against Spanish rule.

This event was called the Cry of Pugad Lawin (formerly called the Cry of Balintawak). The Cry of Balintawak was celebrated on August 26 in 1908 to 1962. Pres. Diosdado Macapagal changed it to August 23 in 1963.

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Pedro Guevara Arrives In Manila

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

AUGUST 22, 1935

Philippine Resident Commissioner Pedro Guevara arrived in Manila from Hongkong. He announced that he has not resigned and returned to vote for Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmeña.

He clarified that he will not retract his statement to the press in regard to the desirability of an American protectorate over the Philippines. He said that the Philippines would not hesitate to call on the United States for aid in the event of trouble after independence, but admits there is no assurance that America would respond.

Senate President Manuel L. Quezon the following day issued a statement: “I am not for an American protectorate or any other protectorate. An independent Philippines must depend upon itself for its protection. America will never consider favorably the idea of extending a protectorate over an independent Philippines.”

During the presidential elections, Quezon won as president and his running mate Osmeña as vice president.

Pedro Guevara y Valenzuela (February 23, 1879 - January 19, 1938), was a lawyer, Spanish-language writer, and a lieutenant colonel who fought in the Philippine Revolution, Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War. He was the aide and private secretary to General Juan Cailles.

During the American administration, Guevara was a member of the Philippine National Assembly (1909-1916), senator (1916-1923), and the Resident Commissioner of the United States House of Representatives from the Philippine Islands (1923-1936).

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos Lifts Curfew

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

AUGUST 22, 1977

President Ferdinand E. Marcos announced the lifting of the 1 a.m. to 4 a.m curfew, the international travel ban of Filipinos, the granting of amnesty to convicted subversives, and the release of all martial law prisoners not yet tried or placed under the jurisdiction of the military tribunals.

Marcos made these announcements during the opening session of the World Law Conference whose main topic was human rights.

President Marcos in his speech said “We are moving irretrievably towards normalcy as we come closer to a solution of the southern secessionist movement as well as the leftist and rightist rebellion and the economic crisis.” The World Law Conference was attended by around 1,000 people.

President Marcos declared Martial Law through Proclamation No. 1081 on September 21, 1972. The imposition of martial law includes curfews, suspension of civil law and civil rights, suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, and applying the military law or justice to the civilian population. Those defying it are charged and indicted through military tribunals.

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Andres Bonifacio Proceeds To Pugad Lawin

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

AUGUST 22, 1896

Andres Bonifacio and his men proceeded to Pugad Lawin after a stopover in Kangkong where they were given food and shelter by Apolonio Samson, a Katipunero.

A day earlier, the group were in Balintawak where Bonifacio changed the Katipunan code after the Spaniards were able to decipher it.

Bonifacio’s trek to Pugad Lawin, the site of the Katipunan general assembly began on August 19, 1896.

Although hunted by the Spaniards, he and his brother Procopio, Teodoro Plata, Aguedo del Rosario and Emilio Jacinto were able to evade the Spanish sentries.

Photo credit: definitelyfilipino.com

Monday, August 21, 2023

Guest Speaker At Dumaguete Exhibit

Blast from the past:

This was some years back on this day when I was invited as guest speaker of the Dumaguete Stamp Collectors Club philatelic exhibit at Silliman University.

Thanks Gary, Aidalyn, Alan, Penn, Richard, Milford and the rest 🇵🇭

Photo credit: Milfred Ong and Gary Rosales

The Plaza Miranda Bombing

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

AUGUST 21, 1971

The Liberal Party held a rally at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila on August 21, 1971. While the political event was ongoing, two grenades were thrown killing nine people and injuring 95 others.

Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., who was expected to attend was not at the rally. Those wounded were Senator Jovito Salonga, Liberal Party president Gerardo Roxas, Senator Eddie Ilarde, Senator Eva Estrada Kalaw, Sergio Osmeña Jr., Ramon Mitra Jr., Councilor Ambrosio Lorenzo Jr., Governor Felicisimo San Luis, and candidates for mayor and vice mayor Ramon Bagatsing Sr. and Martin B. Isidro.

President Ferdinand E. Marcos was blamed for the terror attack as a prelude to martial law, but he accused Jose Maria Sison and the Communist Party of the Philippines as the perpetrators.

Senator Jovito Salonga, who lost an eye and became deaf in one ear, blamed Sison in an autobiography he wrote years later.

Brig. Gen. Victor Corpuz, a soldier turned New People's Army member who defected back to the government claimed in his 1989 autobiography that he was present when CPP leaders met and discussed about the bombing after it happened.

Unnamed CPP officials interviewed by the Washington Post revealed that "the (Communist) party leadership planned, and three operatives carried out the attack in an attempt to provoke government repression and push the country to the brink of revolution.

Sison denied the accusations and the CPP has never admitted responsibility for the incident.

Because of the bombing, President Marcos suspended the writ of habeas corpus. A year later, martial law was declared.

On August 21, 2002, to honor the nine civilians killed, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo unveiled a marker at Plaza Miranda.

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Jose Chichioco Cojuangco Sr. Dies

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

AUGUST 21, 1976

Jose Chichioco Cojuangco Sr. (July 3, 1896 – August 21, 1976), one of the patriarchs of the Cojuangco clan passed away during the time all his businesses were scrutinized by President Ferdinand E. Marcos.

Born in Malolos, he founded Mantrade, the Bank of Commerce, the First United Bank (renamed UCPB) and Pantranco Bus Co.

He served as Representative of the 1st District of Tarlac from 1934-1946. Don Pepe married Demetria Sumulong and was the father of President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino and the grandfather of President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Photo credit: R. A. Uy

Sen. Benigno Simeon “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. Dies

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

AUGUST 21, 1983

Senator Benigno Simeon “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. (November 27, 1932 - August 21, 1983) was assassinated at the Manila International Airport after returning from a three-year self-exile in the United States.

His death sparked a series of protests and demonstrations that led to the downfall of Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos through the EDSA People Power Revolution of February 22-25, 1986.

Ninoy's widow Corazon “Cory” Aquino became the new president while Marcos and his family were brought to Hawaii.

Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III is the son of Ninoy and Cory.

Photo credit: en.wikipedia.org

Sunday, August 20, 2023

Peter's Penny Black

During today's stamp gathering despite the heavy downpour and the floods, stamp collector and Cebu Stamp Club member Peter Coates-Mullins from UK allowed us to take a look at his authentic Penny Black, the first stamp of the world issued in 1840. Thanks Peter 🙂 🇵🇭