The Feast of the Señor Sto. Niño of Cebu

As one visits Cebu this time of year, expect both local and foreign tourists flocking the city just to join the celebration of the Feast of the Señor Sto. Niño of Cebu.

The Sto. Niño (Holy Child Jesus) was Ferdinand Magellan's gift to Queen Juana, the wife of Rajah Humabon of Cebu on April 14, 1521 after their baptism to Christianity. Years later, the image was found inside a wooden chest in one of the burned huts of the natives by Juan de Camus, a Spanish soldier under Miguel Lopez de Legaspi's expedition on April 28, 1565. This discovery was mentioned by Legaspi to the Spanish king Philip II in one of his letters.

From that time on, the devotion to the Sto. Niño spread from Cebu to all parts of the Philippines. The image is housed at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

This year's celebration is filled with religious and cultural activities. A daily novena started from January 7 to 15. A fluvial procession took place on January 16 where a re-enactment of the arrival of the image to the Philippines and the Mass and baptism of the natives took place.

His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal of Cebu officiates the Pontifical Mass on January 17. The Thanksgiving Mass will be held tomorrow January 18 followed by the traditional Hubo on January 22. The Hubo is a ceremony where the Sto. Niño's garments are replaced with a new one.

Along with the religious celebration is the Cebu City government's Sinulog 2010 activities that highlights the grand parade today. Millions of people are expected to join the revelry.

The Philippine stamp above features the Señor Sto. Niño of Cebu and the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño released on June 4, 1985.

The First Circumnavigation of the World

January is synonymous to the feast of the Santo Niño of Cebu. When we talk about the child Jesus, we cannot take out Ferdinand Magellan, the person responsible for bringing the sacred image to Philippine shores in 1521.

Magellan, a Portuguese, led the first circumnavigation of the world after convincing King Charles I of Spain to grant him funds for his expedition on March 22, 1518. He obtained five ships and named them Trinidad, San Antonio, Concepcion, Victoria and Santiago. With 270 men, he set sail in September. On March 16, 1521, Magellan arrived in the Philippines and the rest is history.

Antonio Pigafetta, an Italian crewmember kept a diary that chronicled Magellan's voyage. After Magellan's death in Mactan, Juan Sebastian Elcano took over the remaining three ships along with 115 survivors and left the Philippines for the Moluccas (Spice Islands). They arrived back to Spain in 1522.

This historical event is beautifully captured on Philippine stamps released by the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) on November 11, 2002. The four stamps feature Antonio Pigafetta, Ferdinand Magellan, King Charles I of Spain, and Juan Sebastian Elcano. A souvenir sheet is also issued that shows King Charles I and a world map.

Two Philippine Presidents on PCSO stamp

The latest Philippine stamp issue featuring the 75th anniversary of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) shows two Philippine presidents.

This is the second time that two presidents are shown together in a stamp. The first was the issue released on June 12, 1992 that featured President Corazon Aquino and President Fidel Ramos.

The December 18, 2009 PCSO stamp features President Manuel Quezon and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. This is another welcome addition to those who collect Philippine Presidents on stamps.

Since 1934, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office has "lived up to the challenge of its mandated mission and purpose and has remained unwavering in carrying out its vision of uplifting the quality of life of the Filipino people. The agency has well established itself as a model government institution with its unquestioned dedication to serve the disadvantaged sectors of society. With these, the PCSO has developed a strong credence and incontestable acceptance from Filipinos who have all come to believe and get comfort on the fact that the PCSO will always be there for them, as long as needs need to be satisfied and hopes and dreams need to be given life and fulfilment."

Visit my Philippine Presidents on stamps website by clicking here.

The Feast of the Black Nazarene

Around 3 million devotees are expected to join today's celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila.

I haven't had the opportunity to be at the actual procession but the different scenes shown on tv every year picturing millions of people crowding, pushing and shoving their way just to touch the statue always amazes me.

The Black Nazarene, a black image of Jesus Christ carrying a cross is the patron saint of Quiapo, Manila. The Archdiocese of Manila reveals that the image was brought to the Philippines by a Spanish priest in 1607. The ship that carried the image caught fire but despite it's burnt condition, the people decided to honor it. Soon miraculous healings were reported by those who touched it.

Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales will lead the Mass at the Quirino Grandstand at 8:00 a.m. The procession that covers 6.3 km is expected to pass 30 streets in Manila mostly in the Quiapo district.

Millions of people annually join the procession as a way of strengthening their faith or fulfilling their vow. Some also believe that touching the Nazarene will bring them luck.

A Philippine stamp featuring the Black Nazarene was released on August 29, 1986. This issue also includes the Quiapo Church.

China Lunar New Year 2010 Stamp

China issues it's latest stamp that highlights the 2010 lunar new year featuring the Year of the Tiger.

Released on January 5, 2010, the stamp shows a lovely tiger figure with a traditional red Chinese character called "Fu" that means "luck".

The stamp depicts the tiger bringing luck and happiness to the people in the approaching lunar new year.

South Africa's 3D Dinosaurs Stamps

Among my favorite collections is that of dinosaurs on stamps which I handed over recently to my son Jerald Kervin who has a penchant for anything dinosaurs. The latest news about another technological first in the world of stamps got me excited.

On November 2, 2009, South Africa came out with a set of ten dinosaur stamps with a 3D effect using anaglyphs. The South African Post website says that "an anaglyph is a stereo image that requires special glasses with red and green (or blue) lenses for 3D viewing. To achieve the effect, two views of a picture are printed in two colours, usually red for the left eye and blue or green for the right eye."

They called the stamps as 3D Dinosaur Stamps: Where Pre-history Meets Modern Technology. Visit their site and see the 3D animation effect by clicking here. Just move the mouse cursor on the dinosaur image once you are there.

Welcome 2010!

To most of us, the new year brings a new hope, new challenges and new opportunities. This is the year where we all have a fresh start to make our lives better.

Today is also my dad and Bob, my younger brother's birthday. Both of them were born on the same day. A party is expected to be held later in the day with invited friends and relatives attending the joint celebration.

Although it is a rainy new year's day here in Cebu, we won't allow it to spoil our day. The rain hasn't stopped since it started yesterday.

For Cebu Stamp Club, we have come up with activities and projects that will surpass what we did last year. We also expect an increase in new membership and renewals.

Let's welcome 2010 and may all of us have new friends, good health, good luck and good things... Happy New Year!