Tuesday, March 24, 2026

New Papal Exhibit in December

Once again yours truly is preparing for a bigger papal exhibit come December 2026. Its launching will coincide with Cebu Stamp Club's 30th anniversary.

John Paul II Philatelic Exhibit 2026 is set to be launched in one of Cebu's mall. Get in touch with us at stampsphilippines.rav@gmail.com





 

Friday, December 1, 2023

Brig. Gen. Jose Candido Alejandrino

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

DECEMBER 1, 1870

Brigadier General Jose Candido Alejandrino y Magdangal (December 1, 1870 - June 1, 1951), an Ilustrado and a general during the Philippine Revolution, the Philippine-American War, and a senator, was born on December 1, 1870 in Binondo, Manila. 

He studied at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila and finished his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Santo Tomas. 

He continued his studies in Spain and earned a Chemical Engineering degree at the University of Ghent in Belgium. He became a member of the Propaganda Movement and was part of the editorial staff of La Solidaridad. 

Alejandrino was instrumental in bringing Jose Rizal’s El Filibusterismo to the printing press. 

He was active in acquiring weapons for the revolutionaries and was with Emilio Aguinaldo, who accepted to go on exile in Hong Kong in accordance with the Pact of Biak-na-Bato signed on December 14, 1897. 

Alejandrino served in the Malolos Congress in 1898 and was one of the committee members who drafted the Malolos Constitution. Aguinaldo offered him a post as Director of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce and was later designated as Chief of Engineers of the army. 

He directed the building of trenches in Bulacan and Caloocan. Together with General Antonio Luna, they suggested to Aguinaldo to build a defensive line to delay the advancement of American troops in capturing the railway but was not implemented because of Luna’s death in the hands of Aguinaldo’s men. 

After Aguinaldo’s capture and surrender in 1901, Alejandrino married Adela, the daughter of Telesforo Chiudan. Governor-General Leonard Wood made him a senator of the Twelfth Senatorial District of the Philippines.

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

Photo credit: en wikipedia com

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Andres Bonifacio

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 30, 1863

Andres Bonifacio (November 30, 1863 - May 10, 1897) was born in Tondo, Manila. 

His father, Santiago Bonifacio was a tailor, a boatman and a politician who operated a river-ferry. His mother Catalina de Castro was a worker at a cigarette-rolling factory. The couple have five children namely: Andres, Ciriaco, Procopio, Espiridiona, Troadio, and Maxima. Catalina died in 1888 because of tuberculosis and a year later, Santiago passed away. 

With his parents gone, Andres was forced to give up his studies and started working full-time to support his younger siblings. 

Andres married Monica who lived in Bacoor, but got ill and died because of leprosy. In 1892, he met Gregoria de Jesus and the two got married at the Binondo Church. 

Andres worked hard and educated himself. Although unable to finish high school, he could talk fluent Spanish and a little English. He was a wide reader and read books about the French Revolution, law, politics and religion. 

He joined Jose Rizal’s La Liga Filipina and soon founded the "Katastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan” (KKK or Katipunan) on July 7, 1892, a secret society that aims to separate the Philippines from Spain. 

Bonifacio was also called the “Supremo” and used the Katipunan name MAYPAG-ASA and recruited many Filipinos. 

In 1896, the Philippine revolution began which was an armed struggle against Spain for freedom and independence. 

In 1897, he and his brother were killed but not in the hands of the Spaniards whom he fought but by his fellow Filipinos under General Emilio Aguinaldo.

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

Photo credit: malacanang.gov.ph

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Act No. 2874

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 29, 1919

Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison (1913-21) approved the second Public Land Act (Act No. 2874) that hastened the disposition of public agricultural lands by introducing the system of land classification and increased the homestead area of 16 hectares to 24 hectares. 

The law provided that citizens of the Philippine Islands or of the United States, over 18 years of age or head of a family, who did not own 24 hectares of land, might enter a homestead not to exceed 24 hectares in area. 

Individuals can purchase up to 100 hectares of public land and up to 1024 hectares in the case of corporations provided that 61% of the capital stock of which, however, had to be owned by citizens of the Philippine Islands or the United States. 

Leases were limited to 1024 hectares for 25 years and renewable for another 25 years. 

The Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources through the Director of Lands has the executive authority for the enforcement of the law.

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

Photo credit: digital.commons.nys.edu

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Magellan Enters "The Sea of the South"

Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan with three ships under his command, entered "The Sea of the South" on November 28, 1520. 

He sailed the Atlantic Ocean earlier, through the dangerous straits below South America which is now known as the Straight of Magellan. 

This earned for him as the first European to reach the Pacific from the Atlantic. 

This was the first westward crossing from the Pacific. Magellan and his fleet arrived at the island of Guam on March 6, 1521.

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.com

Monday, November 27, 2023

The 23rd SEA Games

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

November 27, 2005

The Philippines for the third time hosted the 23rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) from November 27 - December 5, 2005 in Manila. 

40 sports in 443 events with 7,000 athletes and officials from 11 countries came to compete. 

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo opened and closed the games at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park. 

The motto was “One Heritage, One Southeast Asia” while the logo, called the "Ethnic-Masked Athlete" depicts an athlete wearing a gold festival mask and a headgear. 

The mascot featured a Philippine eagle named “Gilas” designed by Filipino sportswriter and columnist Danny Simon. 

The official hymn “We’re All Just One” was composed by singer-composer Jose Mari Chan and lyricist Rene Nieva. Julie Abueva sang the hymn and was accompanied by the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab. 

The Philippines ranked first in the final medal tally followed by Thailand and Vietnam.

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.com

Sunday, November 26, 2023

Fr. Mariano Dacanay

 

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 26, 1862

Fr. Mariano Dacanay, an Ilokano priest was born in Bacnotan, La Union. 

He was responsible for giving the title “Mi Ultimo Adios” (“My Last Farewell”), a poem by Jose Rizal written in Spanish on December 29, 1896. 

Fr. Dacanay was a noted translator of religious works and was jailed for his Masonic leanings and a supporter of the Katipunan. 

He published the poem in the first issue of “La Independencia” on September 28, 1898. 

“Mi Ultimo Adios”, Rizal’s 14 five-line stanza poem was written a day before he was executed by firing squad at the Luneta. 

It was unsigned, untitled and undated. Rizal placed the poem inside a small alcohol stove (cocinilla). 

When his mother Teodora together with his sisters visited him in prison, he told his sister Trinidad that there was something in the stove. 

A guard gave them the stove as they left. At home, they found a folded paper with the poem and made copies and sent them to Rizal’s friends in the country and abroad.

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

Photo credit: joserizal.com

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Fernando Poe Jr. Stamps

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

NOVEMBER 25, 2010

Fernando Poe, Jr., a Filipino actor, cultural icon and the 2010 National Artist for Film was featured on stamps to highlight the November Stamp Collecting Month issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation. Series 1 was released on November 10 , 2010 while Series 2 came out on November 25, 2010. 

The stamps became a big boost to the campaign to promote letter writing in the age of electronic media, cellphone technology and social media. 

“Nothing can compare to the personal touch in writing letters, and the smell that goes with love letters," said veteran actress Susan Roces, Poe’s wife who herself continues her family tradition of collecting stamps. 

FPJ or Da King as he was called began his acting career in the 1950s where he played the hero defending the common people. 

These roles earned for him the respect and admiration of the masses where he won numerous awards and prizes both as an actor and film director. 

FPJ ran in the 2004 Presidential election but lost to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. 

Poe was formally conferred the National Artist for Cinema post humous award on August 16, 2012 by President Benigno "Noynoy" S. Aquino III.

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

Photo credit: fpj-daking.blogspot.com

Friday, November 24, 2023

The Manila-Dagupan Railway

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 24, 1892

The Manila-Dagupan Railway or the Ferrocaril de Manila-Dagupan was inaugurated and officially began its operations. 

A British company started the construction of the railway line in 1887 with the total length of the line covering 195.4 km long from Manila to Dagupan. 

It operated for four years but was overtaken by revolutionary forces in November 1896 that interrupted rail traffic in different points. 

When the 1899 Philippine-American War broke out, both Filipino revolutionaries and American troops used it as they battle each other in different fronts.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: philippineamericanwar.webs.com

Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Cecilia Muñoz-Palma

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 22, 1913

Cecilia Muñoz-Palma (November 22, 1913 - January 2, 2006), a jurist, first woman Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, and assemblywoman, was born in Bauan, Batangas. 

Pres. Ferdinand Marcos appointed her to the Supreme Court and served until she retired at age 65. 

She dissented against Marcos and came out with rulings against martial law policies. 

Justice Muñoz-Palma joined the opposition and was appointed by Pres. Cory Aquino to be a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission and was chosen to be its chairman.    

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: gov.ph

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

The Claveria Decree

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 21, 1849

Narciso Claveria y Zuldua, the 71st Spanish governor-general issued a decree that standardized the names and surnames of Filipinos. 

The Claveria decree listed family names in alphabetical  order based on Spanish surnames. The list was given to the heads of the provinces, who sent some to the parish priests, who in turn gave a part of the list to the head of the barangay, who assisted the oldest family member to choose a surname. 

The decree also stated that those who changed or did not use the name recorded in the new register would be imprisoned.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: fil-gen-pro.blogspot.com

Monday, November 20, 2023

Pangasinan Falls

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 20, 1899

In their pursuit for Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo and his party, who retreated northward, Brig. Gen. Arthur MacArthur Jr. and Maj. Gen. Henry W. Lawton’s columns link up with Brig. Gen. Loyd  Wheaton’s in Dagupan, that ended the overt warfare in Pangasinan and completing the American conquest of the province. 

Nine days earlier, Aguinaldo tasked Gen. Manuel Tinio, who was based in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, to block the American advances in San Jacinto. 

Entrenchments were put up west of the town. Not long after, the Battle of San Jacinto took place.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: philippineamericanwar.webs.com

Saturday, November 18, 2023

Brig. Gen. Trinidad Perez Tecson

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 18, 1848

Brig. Gen. Trinidad Perez Tecson (November 18, 1848 – January 28, 1928), the “Mother of Biak-na-Bato”, was born in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan. 

She joined Andres Bonifacio’s Katipunan and fought during the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American War under Gen. Mariano Llanera, Gen. Francisco Macabulos, Gen. Isidro Torres and Gen. Gregorio del Pilar. 

Henerala Ningning organized the women to nurse the sick and wounded revolutionaries thus, she was called the “Mother of the Philippine Red Cross” by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: filipiknow.net



Friday, November 17, 2023

The Cry Of Santa Barbara

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 17, 1898

Gen. Martin Teofilo Delgado proclaimed the Provincial Revolutionary Government in Santa Barbara, Iloilo. 

Filipino revolutionaries longing for freedom and independence filled the churchyard of the Santa Barbara Church.

The church and its convent became the headquarters and military hospital of the revolutionary forces and for the first time, the Philippine flag was raised outside Luzon. 

This event is now known as the Cry of Santa Barbara. Military campaigns were launched from Santa Barbara that were aimed to liberate the province.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: panaydirectory.com

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Pres. Elpidio Rivera Quirino

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 16, 1890

Elpidio Rivera Quirino (November 16, 1890 – February 29, 1956), the sixth President of the Philippines and the second President of the Third Republic, was born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. 

He was vice president when Pres. Manuel A. Roxas died. Two days later, he took his oath as president. 

He was a teacher, lawyer, member of the House of Representatives representing Ilocos Sur’s 1st District, senator, and Senate President Pro Tempore. 

Quirino’s presidency was credited for post war reconstruction, economic gains and increased aid from the United States.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: malacanang.gov.ph



Wednesday, November 15, 2023

The Commonwealth of the Philippines Inauguration

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 15, 1935

The Commonwealth of the Philippines was inaugurated in a ceremony held outside the Legislative Building in Manila. 

Manuel L. Quezon took his oath of office as the 1st President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while William Francis “Frank”  Murphy’s position as Governor-General was changed to High Commissioner. Among those in attendance was Gen. Douglas MacArthur. 

The Tydings-McDuffie Act (Philippine Independence Act) allowed for the creation of the Commonwealth with a ten-year transition period to full independence on July 4. 

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: tumblr malacanang.gov.ph

Monday, November 13, 2023

Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo Leaves For Calasiao

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 13, 1899

Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo with his entourage left Bayambang by special train to Calasiao. From there, they marched to the town of Pozorrubio and arrived the following day. 

Maj. Gen. Henry Lawton who was on pursuit captured the towns of San Jose and Lupao in Nueva Ecija, and the Pangasinan towns of San Nicolas, Umingan, San Quintin and Tayug. 

The campaign to trap Aguinaldo began on October 12 until November 20, 1899, and was a three-pronged operation consisting of the forces of Lawton, Gen. Lloyd Wheaton and Gen. Arthur MacArthur Jr.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved

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

Sunday, November 12, 2023

The Brigandage Act Of 1902

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 12, 1902 

Gov. William Howard Taft got the Brigandage Act of 1902 passed, months after the United States declared the end of the Philippine-American War on July 4, 1902. 

This was a law enacted by the Philippine Commission that labeled all resistance against American rule as banditry. 

Filipinos were prohibited from organizing or joining organizations or nationalist movements. Those caught were punished with death or imprisoned for not less than twenty years while persons aiding brigands were sentenced to not less than ten years.  

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: philippineamericanwar.webs.com

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Victories in Binakayan And Dalahican

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 11, 1896

The Battle in Binakayan ended after Gov. Ramon Blanco’s troops retreated. The Spaniards tried to advance to destroy the entrenchments of the Katipuneros but were met by a rain of projectiles made of scrap iron fired from cannons which proved deadly. 

Every advancement left Spanish troops including their officers dead. 

In Dalahican, the battle stopped by nightfall after Spanish attacks on Filipino positions failed. 

The first major victories of Emilio Aguinaldo in Binakayan, and Santiago Alvarez in Dalahican made them heroes of the revolution.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: freewebs.com/philippineamericanwar

Friday, November 10, 2023

Gen. Candido Tirona y Mata Dies

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 10, 1896 

Gen. Candido Tirona y Mata (August 29, 1862 - November 10, 1896), the Secretary of War of the Magdalo Council and hero of the Battle of Binakayan was stabbed in the neck by a bayonet charge and died on the spot. 

The Battle of Binakayan and Dalahican was fought on November  9-11, 1896 where Gov. Gen. Ramon Blanco’s army of 20,000 troops was defeated by the 112,000-strong revolutionaries of the Magdiwang and Magdalo Councils of the Katipunan led by Emilio Aguinaldo, Santiago Alvarez, Candido Tirona, Pio del Pilar and Edilberto Evangelista.   

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: nhcphistoricsites.blogspot.com