The Capiz Revolt

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

MAY 3, 1897

The Capiz Revolt, the first act of revolt against the Spaniards was led by General Esteban D. Contreras in the small town of Panay, province of Capiz. 

The battle took place at Tadiao Bridge, Barangay Linateran near the road going to Barrio Agojo. 

The revolutionaries although inferior in arms and numbers were able to repulse the Spaniards. 

They used "gafas" or nipa stalks which looked like rifles if seen from a distance, and fired seven guns that they have simultaneously. 

Thinking that the Filipinos were well armed and prepared, the Spaniards decided to retreat to Capiz, now Roxas City. 

Gen. Contreras, a farmer and fisherman by profession, founded the revolutionary movement in his hometown in Barrio Malag-it, Pontevedra, Capiz on March 18, 1897.

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Maj. Federico Isabelo Abaya Dies

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

MAY 3, 1900

Major Federico Isabelo Abaya (1854 – May 3, 1900) was killed as he led an attack against a U.S. detachment composed of 30 soldiers from the 33rd Infantry led by Lt. McCleland during the Philippine-American War. 

Abaya, a member of the revolutionary group Espiritu de Candon was known for declaring a Republic of Candon on March 25, 1898. 

He led the Cry of Candon that successfully drove away the Spaniards. 

In the war against the U.S. he joined the revolutionary army under Gen. Manuel Tinio and later commanded guerrilla forces under Col. Juan Villamor.

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

Photo credits: philippineamericanwar.webs.com and philippines-islands-lemuria.blogspot.com

The Sakdal Uprising

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

MAY 2, 1935

The Sakdal Uprising began when around 68,000 members of the Sakdal movement converged and seized municipal buildings in 14 towns. 

The uprising was crushed by the Insular Government of the Philippine Islands the next day with police firing at the protesters killing around 100 Sakdalistas. 

More than a thousand were arrested and the organizers went into hiding. 

Benigno Ramos, who founded the movement fled to Tokyo. 

The Sakdal (tagalog for "Accuse") movement was formed in 1930 to advocate a reduction of taxes on the poor, implement land reform and a breakup of large estates. 

It also demanded an immediate end to Philippine-American ties. 

During the uprising, the Insular Government of the Philippine Islands was governed by Governor General Frank Murphy under U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Commodore George Dewey Sights The Telegraph Cable

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

MAY 2, 1898

After his victory in the Battle of Manila Bay, Commodore George Dewey told the Spanish Governor-General Basilio de Agustin y Davila that he wanted to use the underwater Manila-Hong Kong telegraph cable operated by the British-owned Eastern Extension Australasia China Telegraph Company and Manila’s only link to the outside world since it was considered neutral. 

After the Governor-General refused, Dewey dredged up and cut the cable. 

Agustin would later inform Dewey through British Consul Edward H. Rawson-Walker of his willingness to surrender. 

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

Photo credit: philippineamericanwar.webs.com

Pres. Gloria Arroyo Declares A State Of Rebellion

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

MAY 1, 2001

Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo through General Order No. 1 declared a State of Rebellion in the National Capital Region. 

She directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police to suppress and quell the rebellion. 

Around 50,000 supporters who protested the arrest of Pres. Joseph Ejercito Estrada, who was charged with plunder, marched from Edsa and stormed into Malacañang. 

People were either hurt or killed as security forces tried to stop the crowd. 

Pres. Arroyo lifted the state of rebellion after five days. A state of rebellion suspends civil rights for a short time period. A form of martial law where the government suppress protests, detain and arrest individuals, search private property, read mails and wiretap private conversations without legal warrants.

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

The First Labor Day Under America

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

MAY 1, 1903

Labor day was first celebrated during the American period. 

Isabelo delos Reyes’ Union Obrera Democratica de Filipinas (UODF), the first labor group in the Philippines led by its new president Dominador Gomez enjoined 100,000 workers to march from Plaza Moriones, Tondo to Malacanang, the residence of Gov. Gen. William H. Taft. 

They demanded better working conditions and political independence. 

Gomez was arrested for illegal assembly and sedition. 

He was vindicated after being elected as a delegate to the Philippine Assembly in 1907.

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

The Battle Of Manila Bay

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

MAY 1, 1898

The Battle of Manila Bay was a naval battle during the Spanish-American War. Commodore George Dewey’s U.S. Asiatic Squadron consisting of 9 new warships led by the U.S.S. Olympia sailed into Manila. 

The Spanish Armada of 10 old ships under Admiral Patricio Montojo was caught off-guard. 

Dewey’s fleet engaged and destroyed the entire Spanish navy with 167 Spanish sailors dead and 214 wounded with 0 casualty on the U.S. side. 

The battle marked the end of Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines.

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.org