Dr. Candido M. Africa

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

OCTOBER 2, 1895

Candido Macasaet Africa (October 2, 1895 - February 12,1945), a doctor of medicine, scholar and researcher, was born in Lipa, Batangas. 

He was the first Filipino to be internationally recognized for his contributions to medical science. His researches focused on parasites that caused heart failure. 

He discovered four human flukes that attached themselves to the heart, that led to a  disease resulting in death. 

This was hailed as a significant contribution to medical science that benefited heart patients. 

Dr. Africa died during the battle for the liberation of Manila in 1945.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Bishop Alfredo Ma. Obviar, D.D.

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

OCTOBER 1, 1889

Bishop Alfredo Ma. Obviar, D.D. (August 29, 1889 – October 1, 1978), Filipino Servant of God and Bishop of Lucena, died on the feast day of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, the Patroness of Missions. 

Bishop Obviar founded the Missionary Catechists of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus (MCST) on August 12, 1958 in San Narciso, Quezon. 

He ordained Ricardo Jamin Vidal to the priesthood on March 17, 1956. Vidal would become cardinal and Archbishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Cebu. 

Bishop Obviar’s beatification is underway. Pope Francis declared him Venerable.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Jose Rizal's "Filipinas Dentro De Cien Años"

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

SEPTEMBER 30, 1889

"Filipinas Dentro De Cien Años" (The Philippines a Century Hence), a famous essay written by Dr. Jose P. Rizal was published in “La Solidaridad”, the reformist propaganda newspaper of the Filipinos.

This four-part essay focused on the relationship between Spain and her colony, the Philippines. Rizal gave Spain two choices, reform or independence and warned that the people may seek civil liberties and a national identity that is different from Spain.

He also mentioned that Spain would be overthrown and replaced by another foreign power.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: wowlaguna com

San Lorenzo Ruiz

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

SEPTEMBER 29, 1637

San Lorenzo Ruiz (ca. 1600 – 29 September 1637), born in Binondo, Manila and the first Filipino saint, was hung upside down in a pit in Nishizaka Hill in Nagasaki, Japan. 

Ruiz and his companions arrived in Japan during the time the Tokugawa Shogunate in the 17th century persecuted Japanese Christians. 

He was arrested, tortured and killed for his refusal to leave Japan and  renounce his Roman Catholic faith. 

Pope John Paul II beatified San Lorenzo Ruiz on February 18, 1981 in Manila and canonized him on October 18, 1987 in Rome.  

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: saints.sqpn.com

Malolos Congress Ratifies The Declaration of Philippine Independence

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

SEPTEMBER 29, 1898

The “Act of the Declaration of Philippine Independence” was ratified by the Malolos Congress also known as the Assembly of Representatives. 

This was the first official act  of the lawmaking body of the First Republic. The Malolos Congress was a unicameral body composed of representatives, one-third of whom were chosen by the officials of the municipalities under the control of the Revolutionary Government. 

The others were appointed by Emilio Aguinaldo to represent the areas under American control which could not send delegates.

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

The Balangiga Bells

I posted this article in my fb page on December 11, 2018 after the bells of Balangiga were returned by the Americans after 117 years. Thank you former President Rodrigo Duterte for demanding for the bells return...

"It finally happened after 117 years. The Balangiga Bells are home at last! 

The bells became spoils of war and were brought to the United States when the Americans retaliated after some troops were killed by Filipinos in what is known in history as the Balangiga Massacre. 

I have written three articles for Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition) Series 1 and 2 that featured the Balangiga Massacre. 

Together with the Filipino nation, I am thankful that the waiting is over. The bells have arrived today! (12.11.18)"

Photo credit: ABS-CBN News Online and GMA News

The Balangiga Massacre

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

SEPTEMBER 28, 1901

The Balangiga Massacre started when 500 bolomen led by Valeriano Abanador, the chief of  police of the town of Balangiga in Samar, attacked Company C of the US 9th Infantry Regiment. 

Church bells earlier pealed, signaling the men to attack the American garrison. Abanador and Capt. Eugenio Daza, a staff member of Gen. Vicente Lukban planned the attack. 

Of the 74 soldiers, 48 were killed or unaccounted for, 22 were wounded, and 4 escaped. 

Pres. Theodore Roosevelt ordered Gen. Adna R. Chaffee, military governor of the Philippines to pacify Samar.   

(Design, concept, stamps and research: Richard Allan B. Uy) All rights reserved

Photo credit: wikipedia.org