Remembering Jose Rizal @ 150

President Benigno Aquino III led the nation in paying tribute to the country’s national hero Dr. Jose Rizal who celebrates his 150th birthday on June 19, 2011.

To formally kick-off the celebration, he led the flag-raising ceremonies at the Rizal ancestral home compound and offered a wreath at Rizal’s statue as a boy. A 21-gun salute in honor of the national hero was accorded by members of the Presidential Security Group.

The President enjoined the Filipinos to emulate Rizal’s heroism and praised him for choosing to do the right thing. “Rizal could have used his wealth and education to become rich and marry any girl he fancied, but he chose to correct the injustices done to the motherland.. Even with the crossroads that he faced, Rizal never strayed away from the right path.” Aquino said.

Furthermore, he adds “For most people, heroism is measured by how we face our everyday struggles.”

The President was presented with five commemorative tokens for the Jose Rizal @ 150 celebration. These are; a certificate of restoration of the Noli Me Tangere by German Ambassador to the Philippines Christian Ludwig Weber Lorssch; the e-Rizal tablet from Gov. Ejercito; a “Rizal at 150” commemorative medal from Central Bank governor Amado Tetangco, Jr.; a “Rizal at 150” commemorative stamp from Post Master General Antonio de Guzman; and a book on the “Lineage, Life and Labors of Jose Rizal” by Tulay Foundation chairman Manuel Chua.

Later, the president unveiled the tallest statue of Rizal together with local officials of Calamba, the hometown of Rizal. The 22-foot bronze monument designed and created by Jonas Roces of Marikina stands on a 6.7-hectare property in front of the Calamba City Hall complex.

Members Gather for the June 2011 Stamp Meetup

It was a rainy Sunday when Cebu Stamp Club members met again for the June 19, 2011 stamp meetup at the second floor of McDonalds Jones, Cebu City.

Together with my son Jerald Kervin Uy, we welcomed everyone including the guest of the day Bob Gooding who came with his wife, Nenita. Bob is an Englishman who presently lives in Australia.

Foreigner members, Kenneth Turner with wife Gina and Edmund Gruenbaum were present too. As usual, Ken brought along his stamp freebies that made all of us busy. Eyan Yu, Sharee Ann Trapa, Ralph Ordiz, Richard Guimbarda and Dinah Potolin who was with her kids got their haul of the day.

During the course of the meeting, I shared to the group the registration fee for the upcoming Cebu Stamp Club @ 15 Grand Reunion which will be held at the Montebello Villa Hotel on August 28, 2011. The choice of food was announced. The mouth-watering lunch buffet would include: cucumber, shrimp & mango salad, fish fillet w/ blackbean sauce, chicken pork adobo w/ potato, mixed vegetables w/ oyster sauce, rice, lechon, chicken inasal, chocolate roll, and soda drinks. For snacks there will be chicken sandwiches with fries and drinks. The formal wear was also mentioned.

The John Paul Celebration Exhibit layout was shown to the members and the ribbon cutting of the exhibit is set on August 28, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Ayala Center Cebu. Members will then proceed to the reunion venue at Montebello Villa Hotel, just an 8-minute ride from Ayala.

Philatelic sharing followed after the new stamp issues for the quarter released by the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) were announced. Check out more photos at Cebu Stamp Club's Facebook page. Just type Cebu Stampclub

Cebu Stamp Club Member Exhibits Rizal in Davao

The people of Davao City got a rare treat when Davao-based Cebu Stamp Club member Renato Adapon (M110001) came out with an exhibit consisting of stamps, coins and paper bills featuring Rizal on June 17 until June 20, 2011.

Photo above shows Rene sharing his cherished Rizal collections to the public.

Security Bank's 60th Anniversary Stamps

The Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) released these commemorative se-tenant stamps highlighting the 60th Anniversary of Security Bank (1951-2011) with a denomination of P 10.00.

This issue came out on June 18, 2011.

Celebrating American Scientists

The United States Postal Service (USPS) dedicates new Forever Stamps honoring four distinguished scientists.

The third in the American Scientists series, the distinguished scientists who dedicated their lives to understanding the fundamental process of nature and made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of science are: chemist Melvin Calvin; botanist Asa Gray; physicist Maria Goeppert Mayer; and biochemist Severo Ochoa.The stamps comes out today, June 16, 2011.

Thomas the Tank Engine Chugs in Royal Mail's Stamps

Royal Mail celebrates the birth centenary of Reverend Wilbert Awdry, the creator of the hit TV show, Thomas and Friends that was first aired in 1984.

This special stamp issue released on June 14, 2011 features the engines as they as they appear on TV and in the original book illustrations.

Relive the adventures of Thomas, James, Percy, Daisy, Toby and Gordon through these beautiful stamps.

Royal Australian Navy Sails on Stamps

Australia Post commemorates 100 years of the Royal Australian Navy with the release of a ‘then and now’ stamp issue.

Featured on the stamps are the HMAS Australia (I), the first flagship of the new Australian fleet which served from 1913-1922; and the HMAS Sydney, one of four Adelaide Class guided missile frigates currently in service.

An image of Boy Seaman Frederick Mills graced the historic stamp. He served in HMAS Australia when it was attached to the British Grand Fleet in World War I. He was killed in action in World War II while serving in the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Acasta.

The contemporary stamp shows 21-year-old Combat Systems Operator, Able Seaman Rebecca Florance who is a recent crew member of HMAS Sydney (IV). The image represents the modern day sailor wearing combat uniform with a headset.

The Royal Australian Navy 1911-2011 commemorative stamp was released on June 12, 2011.