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

New Papal Exhibit in December

2026-03-24T11:14:00.006+08:00

Once again yours truly is preparing for a bigger papal exhibit come December 2026. Its launching will coincide with Cebu Stamp Club's 30th anniversary.

John Paul II Philatelic Exhibit 2026 is set to be launched in one of Cebu's mall. Get in touch with us at stampsphilippines.rav@gmail.com

Brig. Gen. Jose Candido Alejandrino

2023-12-01T08:06:00.001+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

DECEMBER 1, 1870

Brigadier General Jose Candido Alejandrino y Magdangal (December 1, 1870 - June 1, 1951), an Ilustrado and a general during the Philippine Revolution, the Philippine-American War, and a senator, was born on December 1, 1870 in Binondo, Manila.

He studied at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila and finished his Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Santo Tomas.

He continued his studies in Spain and earned a Chemical Engineering degree at the University of Ghent in Belgium. He became a member of the Propaganda Movement and was part of the editorial staff of La Solidaridad.

Alejandrino was instrumental in bringing Jose Rizal’s El Filibusterismo to the printing press.

He was active in acquiring weapons for the revolutionaries and was with Emilio Aguinaldo, who accepted to go on exile in Hong Kong in accordance with the Pact of Biak-na-Bato signed on December 14, 1897.

Alejandrino served in the Malolos Congress in 1898 and was one of the committee members who drafted the Malolos Constitution. Aguinaldo offered him a post as Director of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce and was later designated as Chief of Engineers of the army.

He directed the building of trenches in Bulacan and Caloocan. Together with General Antonio Luna, they suggested to Aguinaldo to build a defensive line to delay the advancement of American troops in capturing the railway but was not implemented because of Luna’s death in the hands of Aguinaldo’s men.

After Aguinaldo’s capture and surrender in 1901, Alejandrino married Adela, the daughter of Telesforo Chiudan. Governor-General Leonard Wood made him a senator of the Twelfth Senatorial District of the Philippines.

Photo credit: en wikipedia com

Andres Bonifacio

2023-11-30T07:59:00.001+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 30, 1863

Andres Bonifacio (November 30, 1863 - May 10, 1897) was born in Tondo, Manila.

His father, Santiago Bonifacio was a tailor, a boatman and a politician who operated a river-ferry. His mother Catalina de Castro was a worker at a cigarette-rolling factory. The couple have five children namely: Andres, Ciriaco, Procopio, Espiridiona, Troadio, and Maxima. Catalina died in 1888 because of tuberculosis and a year later, Santiago passed away.

With his parents gone, Andres was forced to give up his studies and started working full-time to support his younger siblings.

Andres married Monica who lived in Bacoor, but got ill and died because of leprosy. In 1892, he met Gregoria de Jesus and the two got married at the Binondo Church.

Andres worked hard and educated himself. Although unable to finish high school, he could talk fluent Spanish and a little English. He was a wide reader and read books about the French Revolution, law, politics and religion.

He joined Jose Rizal’s La Liga Filipina and soon founded the "Katastaasang Kagalanggalangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan” (KKK or Katipunan) on July 7, 1892, a secret society that aims to separate the Philippines from Spain.

Bonifacio was also called the “Supremo” and used the Katipunan name MAYPAG-ASA and recruited many Filipinos.

In 1896, the Philippine revolution began which was an armed struggle against Spain for freedom and independence.

In 1897, he and his brother were killed but not in the hands of the Spaniards whom he fought but by his fellow Filipinos under General Emilio Aguinaldo.

Photo credit: malacanang.gov.ph

Act No. 2874

2023-11-29T06:40:00.001+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 29, 1919

Governor-General Francis Burton Harrison (1913-21) approved the second Public Land Act (Act No. 2874) that hastened the disposition of public agricultural lands by introducing the system of land classification and increased the homestead area of 16 hectares to 24 hectares.

The law provided that citizens of the Philippine Islands or of the United States, over 18 years of age or head of a family, who did not own 24 hectares of land, might enter a homestead not to exceed 24 hectares in area.

Individuals can purchase up to 100 hectares of public land and up to 1024 hectares in the case of corporations provided that 61% of the capital stock of which, however, had to be owned by citizens of the Philippine Islands or the United States.

Leases were limited to 1024 hectares for 25 years and renewable for another 25 years.

The Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources through the Director of Lands has the executive authority for the enforcement of the law.

Photo credit: digital.commons.nys.edu

Magellan Enters "The Sea of the South"

2023-11-28T06:31:00.000+08:00

Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan with three ships under his command, entered "The Sea of the South" on November 28, 1520.

He sailed the Atlantic Ocean earlier, through the dangerous straits below South America which is now known as the Straight of Magellan.

This earned for him as the first European to reach the Pacific from the Atlantic.

This was the first westward crossing from the Pacific. Magellan and his fleet arrived at the island of Guam on March 6, 1521.

Photo credit: wikipedia.com

The 23rd SEA Games

2023-11-27T06:17:00.000+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

November 27, 2005

The Philippines for the third time hosted the 23rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) from November 27 - December 5, 2005 in Manila.

40 sports in 443 events with 7,000 athletes and officials from 11 countries came to compete.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo opened and closed the games at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park.

The motto was “One Heritage, One Southeast Asia” while the logo, called the "Ethnic-Masked Athlete" depicts an athlete wearing a gold festival mask and a headgear.

The mascot featured a Philippine eagle named “Gilas” designed by Filipino sportswriter and columnist Danny Simon.

The official hymn “We’re All Just One” was composed by singer-composer Jose Mari Chan and lyricist Rene Nieva. Julie Abueva sang the hymn and was accompanied by the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab.

The Philippines ranked first in the final medal tally followed by Thailand and Vietnam.

Photo credit: wikipedia.com

Fr. Mariano Dacanay

2023-11-26T08:42:00.004+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 26, 1862

Fr. Mariano Dacanay, an Ilokano priest was born in Bacnotan, La Union.

He was responsible for giving the title “Mi Ultimo Adios” (“My Last Farewell”), a poem by Jose Rizal written in Spanish on December 29, 1896.

Fr. Dacanay was a noted translator of religious works and was jailed for his Masonic leanings and a supporter of the Katipunan.

He published the poem in the first issue of “La Independencia” on September 28, 1898.

“Mi Ultimo Adios”, Rizal’s 14 five-line stanza poem was written a day before he was executed by firing squad at the Luneta.

It was unsigned, untitled and undated. Rizal placed the poem inside a small alcohol stove (cocinilla).

When his mother Teodora together with his sisters visited him in prison, he told his sister Trinidad that there was something in the stove.

A guard gave them the stove as they left. At home, they found a folded paper with the poem and made copies and sent them to Rizal’s friends in the country and abroad.

Photo credit: joserizal.com

Fernando Poe Jr. Stamps

2023-11-25T08:37:00.000+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition Series 2):

NOVEMBER 25, 2010

Fernando Poe, Jr., a Filipino actor, cultural icon and the 2010 National Artist for Film was featured on stamps to highlight the November Stamp Collecting Month issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation. Series 1 was released on November 10 , 2010 while Series 2 came out on November 25, 2010.

The stamps became a big boost to the campaign to promote letter writing in the age of electronic media, cellphone technology and social media.

“Nothing can compare to the personal touch in writing letters, and the smell that goes with love letters," said veteran actress Susan Roces, Poe’s wife who herself continues her family tradition of collecting stamps.

FPJ or Da King as he was called began his acting career in the 1950s where he played the hero defending the common people.

These roles earned for him the respect and admiration of the masses where he won numerous awards and prizes both as an actor and film director.

FPJ ran in the 2004 Presidential election but lost to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Poe was formally conferred the National Artist for Cinema post humous award on August 16, 2012 by President Benigno "Noynoy" S. Aquino III.

Photo credit: fpj-daking.blogspot.com

The Manila-Dagupan Railway

2023-11-24T07:55:00.001+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 24, 1892

The Manila-Dagupan Railway or the Ferrocaril de Manila-Dagupan was inaugurated and officially began its operations.

A British company started the construction of the railway line in 1887 with the total length of the line covering 195.4 km long from Manila to Dagupan.

It operated for four years but was overtaken by revolutionary forces in November 1896 that interrupted rail traffic in different points.

When the 1899 Philippine-American War broke out, both Filipino revolutionaries and American troops used it as they battle each other in different fronts.

Photo credit: philippineamericanwar.webs.com

Cecilia Muñoz-Palma

2023-11-22T10:50:00.000+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 22, 1913

Cecilia Muñoz-Palma (November 22, 1913 - January 2, 2006), a jurist, first woman Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, and assemblywoman, was born in Bauan, Batangas.

Pres. Ferdinand Marcos appointed her to the Supreme Court and served until she retired at age 65.

She dissented against Marcos and came out with rulings against martial law policies.

Justice Muñoz-Palma joined the opposition and was appointed by Pres. Cory Aquino to be a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission and was chosen to be its chairman.

Photo credit: gov.ph

The Claveria Decree

2023-11-21T10:42:00.001+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 21, 1849

Narciso Claveria y Zuldua, the 71st Spanish governor-general issued a decree that standardized the names and surnames of Filipinos.

The Claveria decree listed family names in alphabetical order based on Spanish surnames. The list was given to the heads of the provinces, who sent some to the parish priests, who in turn gave a part of the list to the head of the barangay, who assisted the oldest family member to choose a surname.

The decree also stated that those who changed or did not use the name recorded in the new register would be imprisoned.

Photo credit: fil-gen-pro.blogspot.com

Pangasinan Falls

2023-11-20T09:26:00.003+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 20, 1899

In their pursuit for Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo and his party, who retreated northward, Brig. Gen. Arthur MacArthur Jr. and Maj. Gen. Henry W. Lawton’s columns link up with Brig. Gen. Loyd Wheaton’s in Dagupan, that ended the overt warfare in Pangasinan and completing the American conquest of the province.

Nine days earlier, Aguinaldo tasked Gen. Manuel Tinio, who was based in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, to block the American advances in San Jacinto.

Entrenchments were put up west of the town. Not long after, the Battle of San Jacinto took place.

Photo credit: philippineamericanwar.webs.com

Brig. Gen. Trinidad Perez Tecson

2023-11-18T08:27:00.001+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 18, 1848

Brig. Gen. Trinidad Perez Tecson (November 18, 1848 – January 28, 1928), the “Mother of Biak-na-Bato”, was born in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan.

She joined Andres Bonifacio’s Katipunan and fought during the Philippine Revolution and the Philippine-American War under Gen. Mariano Llanera, Gen. Francisco Macabulos, Gen. Isidro Torres and Gen. Gregorio del Pilar.

Henerala Ningning organized the women to nurse the sick and wounded revolutionaries thus, she was called the “Mother of the Philippine Red Cross” by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo.

Photo credit: filipiknow.net

The Cry Of Santa Barbara

2023-11-17T09:14:00.000+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 17, 1898

Gen. Martin Teofilo Delgado proclaimed the Provincial Revolutionary Government in Santa Barbara, Iloilo.

Filipino revolutionaries longing for freedom and independence filled the churchyard of the Santa Barbara Church.

The church and its convent became the headquarters and military hospital of the revolutionary forces and for the first time, the Philippine flag was raised outside Luzon.

This event is now known as the Cry of Santa Barbara. Military campaigns were launched from Santa Barbara that were aimed to liberate the province.

Photo credit: panaydirectory.com

Pres. Elpidio Rivera Quirino

2023-11-16T15:03:00.001+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 16, 1890

Elpidio Rivera Quirino (November 16, 1890 – February 29, 1956), the sixth President of the Philippines and the second President of the Third Republic, was born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

He was vice president when Pres. Manuel A. Roxas died. Two days later, he took his oath as president.

He was a teacher, lawyer, member of the House of Representatives representing Ilocos Sur’s 1st District, senator, and Senate President Pro Tempore.

Quirino’s presidency was credited for post war reconstruction, economic gains and increased aid from the United States.

Photo credit: malacanang.gov.ph

The Commonwealth of the Philippines Inauguration

2023-11-15T09:52:00.004+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 15, 1935

The Commonwealth of the Philippines was inaugurated in a ceremony held outside the Legislative Building in Manila.

Manuel L. Quezon took his oath of office as the 1st President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while William Francis “Frank” Murphy’s position as Governor-General was changed to High Commissioner. Among those in attendance was Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

The Tydings-McDuffie Act (Philippine Independence Act) allowed for the creation of the Commonwealth with a ten-year transition period to full independence on July 4.

Photo credit: tumblr malacanang.gov.ph

Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo Leaves For Calasiao

2023-11-13T07:43:00.000+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 13, 1899

Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo with his entourage left Bayambang by special train to Calasiao. From there, they marched to the town of Pozorrubio and arrived the following day.

Maj. Gen. Henry Lawton who was on pursuit captured the towns of San Jose and Lupao in Nueva Ecija, and the Pangasinan towns of San Nicolas, Umingan, San Quintin and Tayug.

The campaign to trap Aguinaldo began on October 12 until November 20, 1899, and was a three-pronged operation consisting of the forces of Lawton, Gen. Lloyd Wheaton and Gen. Arthur MacArthur Jr.

Photo credit: http://philippineamericanwar.webs.com

The Brigandage Act Of 1902

2023-11-12T09:56:00.001+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 12, 1902

Gov. William Howard Taft got the Brigandage Act of 1902 passed, months after the United States declared the end of the Philippine-American War on July 4, 1902.

This was a law enacted by the Philippine Commission that labeled all resistance against American rule as banditry.

Filipinos were prohibited from organizing or joining organizations or nationalist movements. Those caught were punished with death or imprisoned for not less than twenty years while persons aiding brigands were sentenced to not less than ten years.

Photo credit: philippineamericanwar.webs.com

Victories in Binakayan And Dalahican

2023-11-11T09:54:00.001+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 11, 1896

The Battle in Binakayan ended after Gov. Ramon Blanco’s troops retreated. The Spaniards tried to advance to destroy the entrenchments of the Katipuneros but were met by a rain of projectiles made of scrap iron fired from cannons which proved deadly.

Every advancement left Spanish troops including their officers dead.

In Dalahican, the battle stopped by nightfall after Spanish attacks on Filipino positions failed.

The first major victories of Emilio Aguinaldo in Binakayan, and Santiago Alvarez in Dalahican made them heroes of the revolution.

Photo credit: freewebs.com/philippineamericanwar

Gen. Candido Tirona y Mata Dies

2023-11-10T09:03:00.004+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 10, 1896

Gen. Candido Tirona y Mata (August 29, 1862 - November 10, 1896), the Secretary of War of the Magdalo Council and hero of the Battle of Binakayan was stabbed in the neck by a bayonet charge and died on the spot.

The Battle of Binakayan and Dalahican was fought on November 9-11, 1896 where Gov. Gen. Ramon Blanco’s army of 20,000 troops was defeated by the 112,000-strong revolutionaries of the Magdiwang and Magdalo Councils of the Katipunan led by Emilio Aguinaldo, Santiago Alvarez, Candido Tirona, Pio del Pilar and Edilberto Evangelista.

Photo credit: nhcphistoricsites.blogspot.com

The Battles Of Binakayan And Dalahican

2023-11-09T07:39:00.004+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 9, 1896

The simultaneous Battle of Binakayan and the Battle of Dalahican was fought between the Spanish forces of Gov. Gen. Ramon Blanco y Erenas and the revolutionary troops of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and Gen. Candido Tirona in Cavite el Viejo (now Kawit) and in Dalahican and Dagatan in Noveleta and in some parts in Imus and Bacoor.

The battle began on November 9, 1896 until November 11, 1896. The Spanish army tasted their first defeat and retreated in disarray and demoralized.

This was the first major victory of the Filipino revolutionaries.

Photo credit: wikipedia.org

Elpidio Rivera Quirino Wins As President

2023-11-08T10:56:00.003+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 8, 1949

Elpidio Rivera Quirino together with his running mate Fernando Lopez were elected President and Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines.

Quirino earlier assumed the presidency on April 17, 1948, two days after the death of President Manuel Roxas. He ran in the 1949 presidential election under the Liberal Party and defeated former President Jose P. Laurel of the Nacionalista Party and former Senate President Jose Avelino, also from the Liberal Party.

Quirino was the 6th President of the Philippines and 2nd President of the Third Republic.

Photo credit: filipiknow.net

Col. Jesus Antonio Villamor

2023-11-07T08:25:00.001+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 7, 1914

Jesus Antonio Villamor (November 7, 1914 - October 28, 1971), a World War II Filipino ace pilot and intelligence officer was born in Abra.

He joined the Philippine Army Air Corps (PAAC) Flying School in 1936 and was sent for training to the United States.

After his return to the Philippines, he was assigned to lead the 6th Pursuit Squadron. His P-26 fighters engaged and downed Japanese planes.

For his bravery, Col. Villamor was awarded two Distinguished Service Cross Awards by the United States Army. Pres. Ramon Magsaysay awarded him the Medal of Valor.

Photo credit: en.wikipedia.org

Lakan Dula and Rajah Soliman Lead A Rebellion

2023-11-06T09:27:00.001+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 6, 1574

Lakan Dula, the king of Tondo together with his uncle Rajah Soliman, the king of Manila led a revolt against the Spanish colonizers.

Guido de Lavezares, who assumed the position as governor general in 1572 after Miguel Lopez de Legazpi’s death, was able to stop the rebellion with the help of Spanish and Filipino troops.

The reason for the revolt was Lavezares’ refusal to honor the agreement forged between Legazpi and Lakan Dula in 1571. Lavezares also tolerated Spanish abuses that included the take over of the Filipinos’ lands.

Photo credit: xiaochua.net and mobileztopics.com

The Republic of Negros Proclaimed

2023-11-05T09:30:00.000+08:00

Today in Philippine History (Philatelic Edition):

NOVEMBER 5, 1898

In Silay, Lt. Maximiano Correa, the commander of the guardia civil surrendered to the revolutionary forces. Later, the Republic of Negros was proclaimed by Gen. Juan Anacleto Araneta in Bago.

The next day, Isidro de Castro, the governor of the province surrendered after the troops of Araneta and Aniceto Locsin advanced to Bacolod carrying bolos augmented with rifles and cannons.

Unknown to the Spaniards, the rifles were carved from wood and coconut fronds while the cannons were rolled-up bamboo mats that were painted in black.

Photo credit: sallylyngestrella.blogspot.com and facebook com/malacanang