The Iglesia Filipina Independiente

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

AUGUST 3, 1902

The Iglesia Filipina Independiente (Philippine Independent Church) was proclaimed by Isabelo de los Reyes, the president of the first labor confederation in the country, the Union Obrera Democratica (UOD). 

He nominated Gregorio Aglipay, a former Catholic priest and military vicar of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s revolutionary government during the Philippine Revolution to head the new church. 

Aglipay became the 1st Obispo Maximo followed by Santiago Fonacier and Isabelo de los Reyes. Rev. Ephraim Servanez Fajutagana sits as the 12th Obispo Maximo.

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Joaquin Miguel Elizalde y Diaz

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

AUGUST 2, 1896

Joaquin Miguel Elizalde y Diaz (August 2, 1896 – February 9, 1965), a Filipino diplomat and businessman, was born in Manila on August 2, 1896. 

He studied at St. Joseph's College, London and Dr. Schmidt's Institute in St. Gallen, Switzerland. 

He married Elena von Kauffmann in 1924 and had two daughters, Cecilia and Elenita and got divorced in 1957. Elizalde later married Susan Magalona, the daughter of Sen. Enrique Magalona and the sister of actor Pancho Magalona. They had two children, Maria Theresa and Juan Miguel. 

In 1936, he and his brothers established Elizalde and Company Inc. after acquiring the businesses of Ynchausti y Compañía, which include Ynchausti Shipping, Tanduay, YCO Paints and Floor Wax, and the Central Azucarera de La Carlota and Central Azucarera de Pilar (now Capiz Sugar Central) sugar refineries. He became the company's first president. 

Elizalde was economic adviser to President Manuel L. Quezon in 1937 and 1938, member of the National Economic Council 1937–1941 and 1952 and 1953, and of the Joint Preparatory Committee on Philippine Affairs in 1936 and 1937. He was a member of the Council of State 1936 to 1941 and 1952 to 1953. He also served as Major of the Cavalry Reserve, Philippine Army. 

Elizalde was appointed Resident Commissioner to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1938 and became a member of President Quezon's war cabinet in 1941. 

During the term of President Elpidio Quirino, he served as Foreign Affairs Secretary (1952 to 1953), member of the board of governors of the International Monetary Fund and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (1946 to 1950), and the Philippine ambassador to the US (1946 - 1952). 

He was the Economic Adviser to the Philippine Mission at the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador (1956 to 1965), and represented the Philippines at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953. He died on February 9, 1965, and was buried at St. Joseph Church cemetery, Carrollton Manor, Frederick County, Maryland.

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

Photo credit: Department of Foreign Affairs

Arturo “ Ka Turing” Modesto Tolentino Dies

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

AUGUST 2, 2004

Arturo “ Ka Turing” Modesto Tolentino (September 19, 1910 - August 2, 2004), a scholar, writer, prominent politician, diplomat, and author of law books, died of a heart attack at the age of 93. He was buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. 

Tolentino was born in Manila and excelled as a scholar. He was valedictorian at Mapua High School (1938), University of the Philippines College of Law, Cum Laude and bar topnotcher (1934), and Cum Laude for the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy at UP, and got a gold medal (1938). 

He later received the degrees of Master of Law and Doctor of Civil Law at the University of Santo Tomas. 

Tolentino was a legal luminary. He was a Congressman (1949 to 1957), Senator from 1957 to 1972, and held the Senate Presidency from 1966 to 1967. He ran again and served as senator from 1992-1995. 

Arturo Tolentino was President Ramon Magsaysay’s ally, and running mate of President Ferdinand Marcos in the 1986 elections.

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Father Mariano Gomez

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

AUGUST 2, 1799

Father Mariano Gomez (August 2, 1799 - February 17, 1872), a secular priest of Chinese and Spanish ancestries was born in Sta. Cruz, Manila. 

Aside from his duties as head priest of Bacoor, Cavite, he fought for the rights of Filipino priests who were abused by the Spanish friars. 

He was active in the publication of “La Verdad” (The Truth) newspaper. 

Fr. Gomez was falsely implicated by the Spanish authorities in the 1872 Cavite Mutiny together with Fathers Jacinto Zamora and Jose Burgos. 

They were tried and executed at Bagumbayan field (now the Luneta).

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Vice President Sergio Osmeña Becomes President

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 3):

AUGUST 1, 1944

Vice President Sergio Osmeña took his oath of office as President of the Philippines following the death of President Manuel L. Quezon in the  morning of August 1, 1944. 

He becomes the fourth president of the Philippines and the second president of the Philippine Commonwealth (then as government in exile) under America. 

United States Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson administered the oath at 2:40 PM in the office of Secretary Harold L. Ickes, Department of Interior, Washington, D. C. 

Officials of the Philippine and United States Governments and members of the press witnessed the ceremony. 

President Sergio Osmeña said: “I am conscious of the tremendous responsibility that is mine as I assume the Presidency of the Philippines. I pledge all that is in me to serve the best interests of the Filipino people. My first objective is to cooperate with the American Government, sparing nothing, for the achievement of victory which means the complete liberation of the Philippines, Philippine relief and rehabilitation is one of our pressing problems... I have faith in America and in the American people, and as in the past, I know the United States will keep faith with us. The freedom of the Filipino people is my goal and the permanence of that independence once achieved I will strive to secure.”

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Pres. Maria Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco Aquino Dies

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

AUGUST 1, 2009

Pres. Maria Corazon “Cory” Cojuangco Aquino (January 25, 1933 – August 1, 2009), the eleventh Philippine President died of cardiorespiratory arrest at the age of 76 at the Makati Medical Center. 

Churches all over the Philippines celebrated simultaneous requiem Masses while all government offices flew the Philippine flag at half mast. 

She was laid to rest at the Manila Memorial Park. Cory’s legacy to the country was the restoration of democracy after Pres. Ferdinand Marcos was ousted from power by the 1986 People Power revolution.

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

Photo credit: malacanang.gov.ph

Pres. Manuel Luis Quezon Dies

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

AUGUST 1, 1944

Pres. Manuel Luis Quezon y Molina (August 19, 1878 – August 1, 1944), the first president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and the second Philippine President died of tuberculosis at Saranac Lake, New York. 

He was buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in the United States. 

His remains were transferred to Manila after the end of World War II and was laid to rest at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. 

Quezon was born in Baler, district of El Principe (now Baler, Aurora). He is also known as the “Father of the National Language”.      

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

Photo credit: malacanang.gov.ph