Still Stampin' (Darthphilatelist in Hyper Mode...)

Saturday, June 3, 2023

Fr. Andres De Urdaneta, OSA Dies

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

JUNE 3, 1568

Fr. Andres de Urdaneta, OSA, the pilot of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi's expedition and the appointed prelate of the Philippine islands died in Mexico at the age of 70.

Urdaneta was born in 1498 in Villafranca de Oria, Spain.

He fought in the wars with Germany and Italy and was promoted as captain.

He later devoted himself in the study of mathematics and astronomy and focused on navigation.

In 1525, Urdaneta was one of the survivors of the Loaisa expedition and was a prisoner in the Moluccas.

He returned to Spain in 1535 and went to Mexico in 1540 where he was offered to command an expedition which was later given to Ruy Lopez de Villalobos after he turned down the offer.

He entered the Augustinian order and became a friar in 1552.

He joined Legazpi's expedition for the Philippines which left La Navidad, Mexico on November 21, 1564.

Urdaneta was given the title "Protector of the Indians."

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Jose Palma y Velasquez

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

JUNE 3, 1876

Jose Palma y Velasquez (June 3, 1876 – February 12. 1903) was born in Tondo, Manila.

A poet and a soldier who couldn’t cope with the hardships of war, he usually stayed in the camp and entertained his fellow soldiers with his kundiman.

He joined the staff of the revolutionary newspaper La Independencia and composed the patriotic poem Filipinas that was published in Spanish on September 3, 1899.

It fitted perfectly with Julian Felipe’s Marcha Nacional Filipina, an instrumental piece used during the Declaration of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898.

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Friday, June 2, 2023

Spanish Authorities Execute Andres Novales

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

JUNE 2, 1823

Spanish authorities executed by firing squad Andres Novales, a Creole captain in the Spanish Army, Luis Rodriguez Varela, a Conde Filipino and 21 sergeants.

Earlier, Novales convinced many Creole and mestizo military officers and public officials to join his cause owing to the discrimination and maltreatment against them.

The authorities exiled all those who dissented as punishment but Novales managed to escape from his exile in Mindanao and secretly returned to Manila.

On June 1, 1823, Novales, along with other subordinates in the King's Regiment and 800 Filipinos started a revolt and seized the Governor-General's Palace, the Manila Cathedral, the city hall and other government buildings.

They killed the lieutenant-governor and former Governor-General Mariano Fernandez de Folgueras.

His followers shouted "Viva el Emperador Novales!" (Long live Emperor Novales).

When reinforcements arrived, Novales and the other rebels were caught hiding in Puerto Real in Fort Santiago.

Photo credit: PhilippineHistory.org

The Philippine Republic Declares War On America

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

JUNE 2, 1899

Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo’s First Philippine Republic officially declared war on the United States that lasted until July 4, 1902.

The Philippine-American war saw 20,000 Filipino troops killed in action with almost half a million civilian casualties while American deaths were around 4,165.

However, some Filipino forces all over the Philippines continued to fight the U.S. that lasted until 1913.

Earlier on February 4 and 5, the 1899 Second Battle of Manila took place and was the first and the largest battle fought between the American troops and the Filipino Revolutionary Army.

Photo credit: en.wikipedia.org

Spanish Troops End Stake Out At Baler Church

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

JUNE 2, 1899

Four Spanish officers along with fifty-three of their men ended their stake out at the Baler Church in Nueva Ecija that began a year earlier on June 28,1898.

The troops held on despite of hunger, diseases, desertion among their ranks and calls for surrender by the Filipino forces.

They finally gave up after being convinced that the Spanish-American War was over and the Filipinos were fighting the Americans.

Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo decreed that they be treated as friends not enemies and were given safe-conduct passes.

They became heroes upon their arrival in Spain.

Photo credit: philippineamericanwar.webs.com

Thursday, June 1, 2023

The Sumuroy Revolt

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

JUNE 1, 1649

The Sumuroy revolt began when Agustin Sumuroy, a Waray led a rebellion against the Spaniards in Palapag, Northern Samar.

The rebellion happened after the polo y servicio (forced labor) was imposed by the Spanish colonial authorities.

Father Miguel Ponce Barberan, the rector of the town was killed instantly after Sumuroy plunged a spear at him.

The revolt spread throughout the region and as far as Mindanao.

Sumuroy and his followers set up an autonomous government free from Spanish control.

The rebels made some victories but were finally defeated by the Spaniards after Sumuroy was killed in 1650.

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Gen. Gregorio del Pilar Arrives In Bulacan

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

JUNE 1, 1898

Gen. Gregorio H. del Pilar arrived in Bulacan bringing along rifles recently purchased in Hong Kong and immediately distributed the arms to his troops.

As the designated leader of the Philippine Revolutionary Army in the provinces of Bulacan and Nueva Ecija by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, he established his headquarters at Matungao and led his troops in attacking Spanish forces.

After the Spanish troops surrendered to him, he and his men proceeded to Caloocan and Manila to reinforce other Filipino troops engaged in battle against the Spaniards.

Photo credit: philippineamericanwar.webs.com