Happy Birthday George Lucas!

My favorite filmmaker, producer and screenwriter celebrates his birthday today! Thanks George for Star Wars..

Below is a borrowed fan art photo of George Lucas and Star Wars. 

Today in Philippine History: Deadly Cholera Gets Mabini

MAY 13, 1903

Apolinario Mabini died of cholera in Manila just weeks when he swore allegiance to the United States after his return from exile. On December 10, 1899, Mabini was captured after months of hiding from the American authorities. While in detention, he was asked to swear allegiance to America and withdraw his support for the Filipino insurgents but he refused. After a year in prison, he was exiled to Guam and was allowed to return in February 1903. Mabini wrote La Revolucion Filipina (The Philippine Revolution) which was published in 1907.

Today in Philippine History: Pres. Macapagal Moves Philippine Independence Day

MAY 12, 1962

Pres. Diosdado Macapagal moved the celebration of Philippine Independence Day from July 4 to June 12 through Republic Act 4166. Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo first declared Philippine Independence from Spanish rule on June 12, 1898 but America and Spain did not recognize the proclamation. Spain soon ceded the islands to the United States through the Treaty of Paris in 1898 which ended the Spanish-American War. On July 4, 1946, America granted the country her freedom. Filipinos then started celebrating Philippine Independence Day every 4th of July.

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

Philippine Papal Philatelic Collection 2014

The 2014 Joint Stamp issue between the Philippines and Vatican City State featuring Pope Francis released by the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) on March 21, 2014 (Richard Allan Uy collection)

The first Circular stamps in 3D embossed and in gold foil stamping featuring Pope John XXIII released by the Philippine Postal Corporation on April 28, 2014. (Richard Allan Uy collection)

The first Circular stamps in 3D embossed and in gold foil stamping featuring Pope John Paul II released by the Philippine Postal Corporation on April 28, 2014. (Richard Allan Uy collection)

The first Circular stamps in 3D embossed and in gold foil stamping featuring Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII released by the Philippine Postal Corporation on April 28, 2014. (Richard Allan Uy collection) 

Today in Philippine History: Francisco Mercado

MAY 11, 1818

Francisco Mercado (May 11, 1818 - January 5, 1898), the father of our national hero Jose Rizal,  was born in Biñan, Laguna. A prosperous farmer, he married Teodora Alonzo on June 28, 1848 and they had eleven children - Saturnina, Paciano, Narcisa, Olympia, Lucia, Maria, Jose, Concepcion, Josefa, Trinidad and Soledad. In 1849, Gov. Gen. Narciso Claveria decreed natives should have a distinct family name, and unsatisfied with his, he adopted “Rizal”, from the Spanish Ricial which means green field for pasture and so he became Francisco Rizal Mercado.

2013 Philippine Stamp Sets (Mint/Complete/Unmounted)

Here's my complete Philippine Stamp Issues for 2013 released by the Philippine Postal Corporation. The issues are not yet mounted on the official Cebu Stamp Club 2013 Philippine Stamp Album pages. (Richard Allan Uy collection)

Today in Philippine History: Death of Andres Bonifacio

MAY 10, 1897

Andres Bonifacio and his brother Procopio were taken to Mt. Buntis by Maj. Lazaro Makapagal and four other soldiers. A sealed order from Gen. Mariano Noriel was opened and read in front of them before they were shot (some accounts revealed they were hacked and bayoneted). The two were buried in a shallow grave marked by some leaves and twigs. Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo wrote in his memoirs that he ordered the execution after being convinced by Generals Pio del Pilar and Mariano Noriel to pursue the decision of the military court for a death sentence.

Photo credit: http://forthephilippines.blogspot.com/