Today in Philippine History: Mariano Ponce Writes to Aguinaldo

JUNE 8, 1899

While in Yokohama, Japan, Mariano Ponce wrote two letters to President Emilio Aguinaldo telling him that military officers from Japan, Mr. Hara, Mr. Inaromi, Mr. Nishiuchi, Mr. Nakamori and Mr. Miyai have offered their services to the Philippine Revolutionary Army, One of the officers, Mr. Hara was a well-decorated captain of the Japanese infantry in the Sino-Japanese War. In 1898, Aguinaldo delegated Ponce to purchase weapons and ammunitions in Japan for the revolutionaries but these did not arrive because of a storm off the Taiwan coast.

Today in Philippine History: Roberto Regala

JUNE 7, 1897

Roberto Regala (June 7, 1897 - 1979) was born in Bacolor, Pampanga. He finished Bachelor of Arts and Law at the University of the Philippines and took up Doctorate in Civil Laws at Yale  University and Special Studies in Constitutional Law and International Law at the University of Chicago, Oxford University and Sorbonne, Paris. He was the Department of Interior Technical Assistant, Public Service Commission Secretary, Department of Justice Chief Legal and Ambassador. Pres. Diosdado Macapagal appointed him Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. 

Today in Philippine History: Gen. Concepcion Receives Aguinaldo's Telegram

JUNE 6, 1899

Gen. Venancio Concepcion received a telegram from Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo approximately the same time Gen. Antonio Luna and his aide-de-camp Col. Francisco Roman were assassinated.  He was informed that all military operations will be handled by Aguinaldo in place of Gen. Luna and the headquarters will be transferred to Bamban, Tarlac. Aguinaldo, blamed for setting the trap for Luna’s assassination after he was absent in a supposed conference also ordered the  arrest of all chief of brigades under Luna. Some officers were tortured then killed.

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

120 Posts for Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition)

It's officially 120 daily posts for Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition)! Around 280 more posts to go until February 27, 2015 to complete the whole year series. 

Thanks everyone for taking the time to read about our past and appreciating the stamps used to highlight the stories.

Today in Philippine History: Norberto Lopez Romualdez Sr.

JUNE 6, 1875

Norberto Lopez Romualdez Sr. (June 6, 1875 - November 4, 1941), the “Father of the Law on National Language” was born in Burauen, Leyte. A member of the prominent Lopez clan of Leyte, he was the uncle of former First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos whose father was his brother Vicente Orestes Lopez Romualdez. He was famous for his writings in the Waray-Waray dialect and was fluent in Spanish, English and Cebuano. Romualdez became an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and was part of the 1934-35 Constitutional Convention.  

Photo credit: http://xiaochua.net/

Today in Philippine History: Death of Gen. Antonio Luna

JUNE 5, 1899

Antonio Luna, the most brilliant and ablest general of the Philippine Revolutionary Army arrived at the Cabanatuan Church, Nueva Ecija to attend a meeting with Emilio Aguinaldo for a new cabinet to be formed. An officer told him Aguinaldo left for San Isidro, Tarlac. As he was about to leave, a rifle shot rang out in the plaza. Luna angrily went down the stairs and was met by Capt. Pedro Janolino who hacked him with a bolo. Other Kawit troops he dismissed for insubordination shot him while others stabbed him. Antonio Luna died in the hands of fellow revolutionists. 

Today in Philippine History: The Treaty of Cebu

JUNE 4, 1565

The first Filipino-Spanish Treaty of Peace or the Treaty of Cebu was an agreement signed by Spanish Conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legazpi representing King Philip II of Spain and Rajah Tupas, the King of Cebu. Under the treaty, Cebu would recognize the government of Spain and in return, Spain will protect Cebu in any event of war. Tupas, the nephew of Rajah Humabon  was earlier defeated by Legazpi’s forces on April 27, 1565 after which the first Spanish settlement was founded. Rajah Tupas was the last king of Cebu during the pre-Spanish period.