The Philippine International Convention Center

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

SEPTEMBER 5, 1976

The Philippine International Convention Center or the PICC was inaugurated as Asia’s first international convention center as it played host for the 1976 International Monetary Fund-World Bank Annual Meeting. 

Leandro V. Locsin, National Artist in Architecture was tasked to design the architectural landmark that was built on a 70,000 square meters of reclaimed land along Manila Bay. 

In 1974, President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Presidential Decree No. 520 which authorized the Central Bank of the Philippines (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) to construct an international building for conferences that has a range of facilities that can accommodate any sizes of gatherings.

The PICC was organized under the Corporation Code. Along with other buildings in the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex which were associated with First Lady Imelda Marcos, it was part of President Marcos’ efforts to make Metro Manila as Southeast Asia’s financial center.

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Commonwealth Act 382

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

SEPTEMBER 5, 1938

The “Philippine Hymn”, an English translation by Sen. Camilo Osias and Mary A. Lane from the poem Filipinas was adopted as the Philippine National Anthem through Commonwealth Act 382. 

This poem, originally composed by Jose Palma in Spanish was sung to the tune of Julian Felipe’s Marcha Filipina Nacional. 

Lupang Hinirang, a Tagalog translation was first sung to the public on May 26, 1956. Felipe Padilla de Leon’s revised version in 1966 was adopted as the Philippine National Anthem through Republic Act 8491 (The Flag Law) in 1998.

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Spanish Authorities Execute Revolutionaries

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

SEPTEMBER 4, 1896

Spanish authorities executed Sancho Valenzuela, Modesto Rivera, Eugenio Sylvestre and Ramon Peralta at the Campo de Bagumbayan. 

They were earlier captured at Polvorin and were dragged in chains by the Spaniards. Valenzuela was the leader of a group of Katipuneros, numbering a hundred which included two women, Luisa Lucas and Segunda Flores Santiago, who all came from Sta. Mesa to attack the Spanish forces in Polvorin upon the orders of Andres Bonifacio. 

The Battle of San Juan del Monte on August 30, 1896 led by Bonifacio was the first real battle of the Philippine Revolution. 

The surprise attack left the Spanish troops with no choice but to retreat to a nearby building after their commander and another person were killed. 

Spanish reinforcements arrived under the command of General Bernardo Echaluce y Jauregui and almost wiped out Bonifacio’s men, who were forced to retreat towards the Pasig River. 

The encounter left around 150 dead Katipuneros and more than 200 captured which included Valenzuela and his men.

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

Photo credit: withonespast.wordpress.com

Preparatory Commission Finishes The 1943 Constitution

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

SEPTEMBER 4, 1943

The 1943 Constitution of the Philippines was drafted and signed by the Preparatory Commission for Philippine Independence headed by Jose Laurel. 

Three days later, it was ratified by 117 members of the Kapisanan ng Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas (KALIBAPI). 

This constitution gave unlimited powers to the President. However, a stipulation mentioned that one year after the end of World War II, a new one will replace it. 

Benigno S. Aquino, born on September 4, 1894 was KALIBAPI Director General and was replaced by Camilo Osias when he became Speaker. 

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

Photo credit: tumblr malacanang.gov.ph

Cebu Stamp Friday #12

UNIVERSITY OF SAN CARLOS, COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, 75th ANNIVERSARY
Date of Issue: September 8, 2014
Released by: PhilPost
Denomination: 10p
Design: University of San Carlos Main Building

Gregorio Aglipay Cruz y Labayan Dies

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

SEPTEMBER 1, 1940

Gregorio Aglipay Cruz y Labayan (May 5, 1860 – September 1, 1940), passed away at the age of 80.  

He was a Catholic priest and the Military Vicar General of the revolutionary forces led by Emilio Aguinaldo during the Philippine-American War. 

Aglipay was a political activist who was excommunicated by Manila Archbishop Bernardino Norzaleda on May 5, 1899 with Pope Leo XIII’s consent. 

He later became friends with Isabelo de los Reyes, who started an independent Catholic Filipino Church which was named after Aglipay in 1902.  

He was one of the presidential candidates during the 1935 Commonwealth elections and ran under a Republican-Communist Party ticket but lost to Manuel L. Quezon and his running mate Sergio Osmeña of the Nacionalista Party. 

Bishop Gregorio Aglipay was considered the founder and the First Supreme Bishop of the Philippine Independent Church.

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

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Dr. Pio Valenzuela Surrenders

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

SEPTEMBER 1, 1896

Dr. Pio Valenzuela also known as Madlang-Away surrendered to Spanish authorities. Gov. Gen. Ramon Blanco issued a decree on August 30, 1896 that granted amnesty to Katipuneros who surrendered. 

However, Valenzuela was detained, tried and deported to Spain where he was sentenced to cadena perpetua. 

He was jailed in Madrid, then to Malaga, Barcelona and later to a Spanish outpost in Africa. 

Together with Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto, they were the three-man Katipunan secret chamber. He procured arms for the revolution.  

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

Photo credit: bulacan.gov.ph