Today in Philippine History: Nick Joaquin

May 4, 1917
Nicomedes Marquez Joaquin (May 4, 1917 – April 29, 2004) was born in Paco, Manila. He was the Philippines third best Filipino writer in English next to Jose P. Rizal and Claro M. Recto. His works include short stories, novels. plays and Philippine history. He also wrote books that give tribute to Jose Rizal. As a journalist, he used the pen name Quijano de Manila and raised the level of reportage in the country with his intellectual and provocative style of journalism. Nick Joaquin was conferred the rank and title of National Artist for Literature.

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

Today in Philippine History: Isabelo Abaya is Killed in Action

MAY 3, 1900

Major Federico Isabelo Abaya (1854 – May 3, 1900) was killed as he led an attack against a U.S. detachment composed of 30 soldiers from the 33rd Infantry led by Lt. McCleland during the Philippine-American War. Abaya, a member of the revolutionary group Espiritu de Candon was known for declaring a Republic of Candon on March 25, 1898. He led the Cry of Candon that successfully drove away the Spaniards. In the war against the U.S. he joined the revolutionary army under Gen. Manuel Tinio and later commanded guerrilla forces under Col. Juan Villamor.

Photo credits: http://philippineamericanwar.webs.com/ and http://philippines-islands-lemuria.blogspot.com/

Today in Philippine History: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

APRIL 5, 1947

The daughter of President Diosdado Macapagal, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was born in San Juan and spent her early years in Lubao, Pampanga. An economist by profession, she became Senator, Vice President and the 14th President of the Philippines. She served two terms, the first was the remaining term of deposed President Joseph Ejercito Estrada on January 20, 2001 to June 30, 2004. She won a second term until her defeat to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III in 2010. She is Pampanga’s 2nd District Representative and is under hospital arrest.

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

http://thephilippinepresidentscollection.yolasite.com/gloria-macapagal-arroyo.php

Today in Philippine History: Luciano San Miguel Dies in Battle

MARCH 27, 1903

Luciano San Miguel (January 7, 1875 - March 27, 1903), a Magdiwang who became one of General Emilio Aguinaldo’s best generals of the Philippine-American War died in the battle of Corral-na-Bato in Morong (now Rizal). A year earlier, as the newly elected Captain-General and the Supreme Commander of what’s left of the revolutionary forces, he launched guerrilla tactics against American forces and was among the most wanted leaders until his death.  

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

30 Posts for Today in Philippine History

It's exactly 30 posts today for "Today in Philippine History" series here in Still Stampin' and at my Facebook page. 

It's still a long way to go to finish the 365 days in presenting this one-of-a-kind way of showing our nation's history using stamps, the same as the various exhibits yours truly conceptualized and presented in various malls, schools and in Fort San Pedro. This is my simple way of promoting patriotism and love of country. 

The "Selyo ug Kasaysayan sa Fort" historical-cultural stamp and photo exhibit in Fort San Pedro that opened last year in April will end in March 31 but may be back in May till December in a different venue inside the fort.

Today in Philippine History: The Philippine Flag Becomes the Official Flag

MARCH 26, 1920
The Philippine Legislature passed Act No. 2928 making the Philippine Flag as the official flag of the Philippine Islands and to be flown next to the American Flag. The flag’s Cuban blue and red were changed with the American colors. This act repealed the Flag Law (Act No. 1696) passed on September 6, 1907, which banned the Philippine Flag or any nationalist flags, banners or symbols, particularly those identified with the Katipunan from being waved in any public place.

Photo credit: http://tumblr.malacanang.gov.ph/

Today in Philippine History: Cry of Candon

MARCH 25, 1898
Revolutionary General Federico Isabelo Abaya (1854 - May 3, 1900) led his men in the Cry of Candon (Ikkis ti Kandon) and drove away the Spaniards in the town of Candon, Ilocos Sur. He established the Republic of Candon with Fernando Guirnalda as president and himself as general and commander-in-chief.

Photo credit: http://wikimapia.org/

Today in Philippine History: Gabriela Silang

MARCH 19, 1731

Maria Josefa Gabriela Silang (March 19, 1731 - September 29, 1763) was born in Santa, Ilocos Sur. After the 1763 assassination of her husband Diego who led an uprising against the Spanish regime, she continued the fight as “La Henerala”. She led the insurgents and won many victories against the Spaniards. Gabriela was captured and hanged in Vigan on September 23, 1763.

Photo credit: http://jowanabueser.com/2010/07/17/formidable-filipina/

Today in Philippine History: President Fidel V. Ramos

MARCH 18, 1928

Born on this day in Lingayen, Pangasinan, Fidel V. Ramos is the 12th President of the Philippines. Popularly called FVR, he was a civil engineer and a soldier prior to taking his oath of office as president on June 30, 1992 before Chief Justice Andres Narvasa. He is credited for the international confidence and economic turnaround of the country during his six years in office.

Please visit my personal collection featuring the stamps of President Ramos at 
http://thephilippinepresidentscollection.yolasite.com/fidel-ramos.php

Today in Philippine History: President Ramon Magsaysay Dies

March 17, 1957
President Ramon Magsaysay’s term ends abruptly after his presidential plane crashes in Mt. Manunggal, Cebu and killing him instantly along with 24 other passengers. The 7th President of the Republic of the Philippines, 49-year old Magsaysay earned the title “Champion of the Masses” for his leadership and commitment for the Filipino people. 

Please visit my personal collection featuring the stamps of President Magsaysay at http://thephilippinepresidentscollection.yolasite.com/ramon-magsaysay.php

Filipina Beauty Queens Appear on Stamps

The Philippines is known to produce beauty queens in different international pageants such as the Miss Universe, Miss International, Miss World and other pageants.

Gloria Diaz brought prestige to the country by winning the first Miss Universe crown in 1969 in Miami, Florida. Margie Moran grabbed the title in Athens, Greece in 1973 while Miriam Quiambao almost brought home the title in 1999. Others who nearly made it include Maria Rosario Silayan (3rd runner-up 1980), Maria Desiree Verdadero (3rd runner-up 1984), Maria Venus Raj (4th runner-up 2010), Shamcey Supsup (3rd runner-up 2011), Janine Mari Tugonon (1st runner-up 2012) and Ariella Arida (3rd runner-up 2013).

In the Miss International beauty pageant Gemma Cruz won the crown in 1964. The following year, Aurora Pijuan became Miss International followed by Melanie Marquez in 1979, Precious Lara Quigaman in 2005 and Bea Rose Santiago in 2013. Runners-up for the title were Evelyn Camus (2nd, 1971), Yolanda Dominguez (2nd, 1972) and Maria Elena Ojeda (4th, 1973).

The Miss Supranational crown was won by Mutya Johanna Datul in 2013 and became the first Asian to win the title. A year earlier, Elaine Kay Moll was 3rd runner-up. 

The Miss World title was grabbed recently by Megan Lynne Young. Other runners-up include Evangeline Pascual (1st, 1973), Ruffa Gutierrez (2nd, 1993), Maria Rafaela Yunon (4th, 2003), Maria Karla Bautista (4th, 2004) and Gwendoline Gaelle Ruais (1st, 2011).

The world-class beauty of the Filipina is highlighted on Philippine stamps featuring Miss World Megan Young, Miss Universe Gloria Diaz and Miss Universe Margie Moran.

Today in Philippine History: President Jose P. Laurel

MARCH 9, 1891
President Jose Paciano Laurel y Garcia was born in Tanauan, Batangas. During World War II, he was installed as president of the Second Philippine Republic, a Japanese puppet government from 1943 to 1945. It was only during the term of President Diosdado Macapagal (1961-65) that Laurel was officially considered the legitimate 3rd President of the Philippines. 

Please visit my personal collection featuring the stamps of President Laurel at http://thephilippinepresidentscollection.yolasite.com/jose-laurel.php

Today in Philippine History: The Katipunan Elevates Balangay Mahiganti's Status

MARCH 8, 1896

The Supreme Council of the Katipunan (KKK), a revolutionary society ruled that the Balangay Mahiganti, a KKK branch in Ermita, Manila be elevated to the status of Sangguniang Bayan. The Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (KKK) was founded by Andres Bonifacio along with other Filipino patriots on the night of July 7, 1892.

Today in Philippine History: Fort Santiago Becomes A National Shrine

MARCH 6, 1951
The historic Fort Santiago was declared a National Shrine to remember the national heroes and martyrs who were imprisoned and killed there. During the Spanish era, the fort became the prison for Filipinos suspected to rebel against the Spanish Crown. Prominent among the Filipinos was Dr. Jose Rizal who was jailed inside the fort before his execution in 1896.

Today in Philippine History: Central Methodist Episcopal Church

March 5, 1899
The Central Methodist Episcopal Church was the first Protestant church in the Philippines founded during the American occupation. It was later renamed Central United Methodist Church and is located at T.M. Kalaw, Ermita, Manila. The church was a result of Filipino-American ties after the surrender of Manila in 1898.

Today in Philippine History: Rose Sevilla Alvero

MARCH 4, 1879

Born on this very day in Tondo, Manila, Rosa Sevilla Alvero was an educator, journalist and social worker. She fought for the rights of women to vote and co-founded the Liga de Damas Filipinas (Federacion Catolica de Mujerez). She also founded Women’s Outlook, a national magazine for women. She was the first Dean of Women at the University of Santo Tomas.

CSCI Executive Director Visits PHLPOST Head in Cebu

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