The Enigma and Chain Metal Puzzles

The enigma is one of my favorite mechanical puzzles. This puzzle was invented by Eldon Vaughn and patented in America in 1975. and manufactured and distributed worldwide by Hanayama, a toy company based in Japan. The object to dis-join the three somewhat swirled pieces of this puzzle and then to put them back together again. Basically, the technique to solve this puzzle involves several sequences of sliding through, rotating, overhanging and a tricky move at the end to dis-join the two remaining pieces. Separating the last two pieces is already challenging in itself. Putting it back is more difficult than the first task of disassembling it. I really had a fun time with this puzzle. Once or twice a week, I toy with the moves so I will never forget the sequences (more than 8). I also love the feel of this puzzle, so stern yet docile, so lustrous and fusible.

Another cast puzzle which I like is the Chain puzzle which was invented by Oskar van Deventer. His creation won an honorable mention in the International Puzzle Competition in 2002. This puzzle is made up of three interlocking chains which can be dis-joined by several maneuvers. Proper placement of the chains is necessary to release them apart. The final move demands placing one chain on gutter to enable one of the chains to pass through. I had fun with this one, and putting them back was also a challenge.

The National Anthem of Macedonia

The Macedonian National Anthem is entitled "Denes Nad Makedonija" (Today Over Macedonia). The anthem of Macedonia (referring to the former Yugoslavian republic, and not the neighbouring Greek province of the same name) was created in 1943 by Vlado Maleski, a poet from Struga. The music was composed by Todor Skalovski, a famous Macedonian composer, chorus and orchestra conductor. It was adopted as the anthem of the Republic of Macedonia upon its establishment after World War II for a few months, and continued to be the anthem of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia while in Yugoslavia. The song was later selected to be the anthem of the newly independent Republic of Macedonia in 1991.

Todor Skalovski (born 21 January 1909, Tetovo, Ottoman Empire – died 1 July 2004, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia) was a famous Macedonian composer, chorus and orchestra conductor.

He was the founder of the First Macedonian State Symphony Orchestra, (1945. - 1948) and was editor in chief of Radio Skopje and chief conductor Radioorkestra (1948 - 1954). He directed and conducted the Skopje Opera, since 1954 and later became the director and conductor of the Philharmonic Republic of Macedonia. His compositions were mostly vocal works. Other works include October Cantata II, Suite Baltepe, Macedonian Oro, 2 rhapsodies, Zalez, The size ANIJA (on John Kukuzela), Prispivna song. He is best known as the composer of the Macedonian anthem "Denes Nad Makedonija".

The envelope above is a Special Cancel of the First Performance of the National Anthem (2001), 10 years after Macedonia became a newly independent republic in 1991.

Manuel H. Bernabe on Stamps

Manuel H. Bernabe (1890-1960) “King of Balagtasan” in Spanish was a poet, linguist and politician, Manuel Bernabe was born on February 17, 1890 to Timoteo Bernabe and Emilia Hernandez of Paranaque, Rizal.

At the age of 10, he already started writing verses. He studied at the Ateneo de Manila where he finished his Bachelor of Arts degree with high academic standing in 1907, and then took up law at the University of Santo Tomas, but not able to took up the bar exams. In 1910, Manuel’s first poem was published in the Renacimento Filipino. In 1912, he translated Virgil’s Aenid from Latin to Spanish. In 1913, he received an award for his poems: “Himno al Sagado Corazon de Jesus (Hymn to the Sacred Heart of Jesus), “El Zapote,” and “Espana a Filipinas”.

In 1912, he joined the staff of La Democracia and in 1918, of La Vanguardia of the Roces Publications. He was a columnist but from time to time he also published poems and short stories in the magazine Exelsior.

Manuel also excelled in the balagtasan, where his stalwart adversary was Jesus Balmori. In 1927, he published Balagtasan a compilation of his three poetic joust against Balmori; “El Recuerdo y el Olvido” (Memory and Forgetting), “El Hombre y la Mujer”(Man and Woman), and “La Ilusion y el Desengano” (Illusion and Deception). His other works were: “Cantos del Tropico” ( Songs from the tropic) in 1929, which contains poems. He translated into the Spanish the English version of Edward Fitzgerald’s Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, which was praised as the best Spanish translation of that masterpiece by Blasco Ibanez, a Spanish novelist, and also Perfil de la Cresta.

In 1925, he won the Premio Zobel for his translation of Rubaiyat. In 1926, for his and Jesus Balmori’s Balagtasan, “El Hombre y La Mujer.” For high academic and excellent performance, Manuel was chosen a member of the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language in the Philippines in 1931 and was named poet laureate in Spanish (National Poet) on February 25, 1950. For his untiring efforts in the propagation and conservation of the Spanish language, Bernabe received two decorations from Spain - El Yugo y las Flechas in 1940 and orden de Isabela la Catolica in 1953. In 1964, he was also awarded the Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinagan Award by the City Government of Manila.

He taught Spanish in different schools such as: Far Eastern University, Philippine Law School and Institute de Espanol at Colegio de San Juan de Letran. In 1951, he accompanied President Elpidio Quirino on the latter’s state visit to Spain. He joined the world of politics, as a representative to Congress of the first district of Rizal.

He retired from politics and once more joined the journalistic profession in the La Vanguardia. He was appointed professor of Spanish at the University of the Philippines and a technical assistant for Filipino-Spanish Relations at Malacañang from 1943-1947. Bernabe died of coronary thrombosis on November 29, 1960, at barrio La Huerta, Paranaque, as he was having conversation with his friends, he collapsed and never regained consciousness.

Date of Issue June 1, 1990

Claro M. Recto on Stamps

Claro Mayo Recto, Jr. (February 8, 1890 – October 2, 1960), was a Filipino politician, jurist, poet and one of the foremost statesmen of his generation. He is remembered mainly for his nationalism, for "the impact of his patriotic convictions on modern political thought".

He was born in Tiáong, Tayabas (now known as Quezon province) of educated, upper middle-class parents, namely Claro Recto [Sr.] of Rosario, Batangas, and Micaela Mayo of Lipa, Batangas. He studied Latin at the Instituto de Rizal in Lipa, Batangas from 1900 to 1901. Further schooling was at the Colegio del Sagrado Corazón of Don Sebastián Virrey. He moved to Manila to study at the Ateneo de Manila where he consistently obtained outstanding scholastic grades, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree maxima cum laude. He received a Masters of Laws degree from the University of Santo Tomás.

Claro M. Recto, Jr. is considered the "finest mind of his generation". Through his speeches and writings, he was able to mold the mind of his Filipino contemporaries and succeeding generations, a skill "only excelled by Rizal's".

He left a mark on the patriotic climate of his time and a lasting legacy to those who succeeded him. Such icons of nationalism as Lorenzo Tanada, José Diokno, Renato Constantino, Jovito Salonga, refer to him as a mentor and forerunner.

Teodoro M. Locsín of the Philippines Free Press, defines Recto's genius, thus:

"Recto is not a good speaker, no. He will arouse no mob. But heaven help the one whose pretensions he chooses to demolish. His sentences march like ordered battalions against the inmost citadel of the man's arguments, and reduce them to rubble; meanwhile his reservations stand like armed sentries against the most silent approach and every attempt at encirclement by the adversary. The reduction to absurdity of Nacionalista senator Zulueta's conception of sound foreign policy was a shattering experience, the skill that goes into the cutting of a diamond went into the work of demolition. There was no slip of the hand, no flaw in the tool. All was delicately, perfectly done... Recto cannot defend the indefensible, but what can be defended, he will see to it that it will not be taken."

Date of Issue: June 1, 1990

Santiago Fonacier on Stamps

Santiago A. Fonacier was born in Laoag, Ilocos Norte on May 21, 1885. He took his elementary education in his town and secondary education in a high school accredited by the University of Santo Tomas and the Liceo de Manila. He studied for the priesthood in a seminary of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente and was ordained priest in 1902.

After his ordination, he taught for two years. However, being inclined towards journalism, he left teaching and founded and edited Spanish periodicals, among them La Lucha, which survived from the 1900’s to 1941. Thereafter, he became a reporter of La Democracia and El Grito del Pueblo. He did translations into Ilocano of Rizal’s two novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

In 1912, Fonacier was elected to the first Philippine Assembly as representative of the first district of Ilocos Norte. He served in full his four-year term. In the following election, 1919, he ran and won as senator for the first senatorial district, composed of the provinces of Abra, Batanes, Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte and Isabela.

Aside from being an assemblyman and senator, he served the government as a member of the Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines, the Philippine Independence mission to the United States, the Institute of National Textbook Board, and served as a military chaplain.

Fonacier was one of the original followers of Msgr. Gregorio Aglipay, the famous Filipino clergyman and revolutionary who founded the Iglesia Filipina Independente as a renegade Catholic sect free from the jurisdiction and rules of the Roman Catholic Church and the Vatican itself. He succeeded Aglipay.

Bishop Fonacier died at the age of 92 on December 8, 1977. He was married to Carmen Jamias with whom he had eight children.

Date of Issue: May 21, 1985

Julian Felipe on Stamps

Felipe, the composer of the Philippine National Anthem also won many awards for his many nationalistic compositions, He wrote "Un Recuerdo" for the thirteen martyrs of Cavite (Trece Martires). He was appointed by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo as Director of the National Band of the Philippine Republic with a rank of Captain.

Julian Felipe was born on January 28, 1861. He was the youngest son of the twelve children of Justo Felipe and Victoria Reyes. Julian inherited his talent in music from his father who was also a musician.

He studied at a public school in Cavite and Binondo, Manila for his primary education. At an early age, he showed his talent in music. He also learned how to play the piano and the organ. Later, He became an organist in St. Peter's Parish Church. As an organist, Felipe was given the chance to hone his gift. Soon after he was composing songs.

Among his early popular compositions were Moteti el Santesisimo, Sintos y Floras Rogodones and Amorita Danza. He impressed many music enthusiasts with the said pieces. Though still young, his works were already at par with the seasoned musicians. In recognition of his remarkable contributions in the field of music, he was given awards and accolades.

When the revolution broke out, Julian joined his fellow Cavitenos who fought against the Spaniards. He was arrested and jailed at Fort San Felipe in Cavite. When freed, he again joined Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo's troop. He composed nationalistic songs that inspired his compatriots to continue fighting against the Spaniards. Gen. Aguinaldo asked him to provide a stirring composition to be played in the historic proclamation of Philippine independence. His composition Marcha Nacional Filipina, played on June 12, 1898 in Aguinaldo's home in Kawit, was adopted as the Philippine national anthem on September 5, 1938.

Julian and his wife Irene Tapia had four daughters and a son. Julian died on October 2, 1944.

Date of Issue: June 26, 1972

Edilberto Evangelista on Stamps

Edilberto Evangelista (b. February 24, 1862 - February 17 1897) was a civil engineer trained in the University of Ghent, Belgium. He returned to the Philippines shortly after the start of the revolution and quickly rose to the rank of Lieutenant General in the Philippine Army. He died in 1897 at the Battle of Zapote Bridge.

Edilberto was a native of Sta. Cruz, Manila, who received his early education with his uncle at Dulumbayan, Luneta. In 1871, he studied at Colegio de San Juan de Letran where he excelled in mathematics. At the young age of 16, he finished degree in A.B. in 1878. Later studied at the University of Santo Tomas where as a medical student, was able to support his studies by buying and selling carabaos for slaughter and engaged in tobacco business.

He went to Spain and studied at the Polytechnic School in Madrid, where he met Jose Rizal and suggested him to take a civil engineering course at Ghent, Belgium. After finishing his study, he returned to Manila , he arrived a month after the outbreak of the revolution. Edilberto joined the Katipunan in Cavite, where he was made director-general of the engineering corps and later was promoted to Lieutenant General for the Magdalo faction. He died in defending the Zapote Bridge against the Spaniards.

Date of Issue: November 27, 1973

Jose W. Diokno on Stamps

Jose Wright Diokno (February 26, 1922 - February 27, 1987) was a Filipino nationalist, human rights advocate, lawyer, senator and government minister.

Born to Ramon Diokno, a former senator and associate justice of the Supreme Court, and Eleanor Wright, an American who became a Filipino citizen, Jose "Pepe" Diokno graduated from elementary school with distinction, and finished his secondary education at De La Salle College in Manila as Valedictorian in 1937. In 1940, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Commerce Degree summa cum laude from De La Salle. He topped the Certified Public Accountants (CPA) Board Examination the same year with a rating of 81.18 percent. In 1944, without finishing his Bachelor of Laws Degree, he took and topped the bar examination, with a rating of 95.3 percent.

After the 1986 People Power Revolution, which effectively ended Marcos rule and was pivotal to Corazon Aquino's election to the presidency, Diokno was appointed to the chairmanship of the Presidential Committee on Human Rights, with the rank of minister, and led a government panel which tried to negotiate for the return of rebel forces to the government folds. However, after the “Mendiola massacre” of January 22, 1987, where 15 farmers died during an otherwise peaceful rally, he resigned from his two government posts in protest of what he called wanton disregard of human lives by an administration he had helped install.

At 2:40 a.m., on February 27, 1987, the day after his 65th birthday, Jose Diokno died at his home in New Manila, Quezon City. The cause of his death was acute respiratory failure due to cancer. Diokno was married to Carmen Icasiano, by whom he had 10 children.

President Aquino declared March 2–12, 1987 as a period of national mourning for Diokno. February 27 is celebrated in the Philippines as Jose W. Diokno Day. Although not a public holiday, on February 27 the flags of Filipino government buildings and installations throughout the country are flown at half-mast in his honor. Expressing her grief over the passing of Diokno, then-President Corazon Aquino stated that "Pepe braved the Marcos Dictatorship with a dignified and eloquent courage our country will long remember."

Stamp above issued on February 26, 1995.

The National Anthem of Israel

The origins of "Hatikvah" (The Hope) far predate its use as the Israeli national anthem, in use since soon after its founding as the first Jewish state in modern history. The music is based on a folk song of unknown origin, but appears several times in European folk songs and religious music. The arrangement by Shmuel Cohen from 1888 is probably based on a Romanian folk song he heard during his childhood in Romania, most likely "Carul cu boi" ("The Ox Driven Cart"). The melody also somewhat resembles Smetana's symphonic poem "Ma Vlast", which in turn was based on a Swedish version of the Romanian song.

The lyrics of the anthem were taken from the first verse and chorus from Naftali Herez Imber's 1878 poem "Tikavatenu" (Our Hope), which had nine stanzas. At the first Zionist congress of 1897, it was adopted as the anthem of Zionism. The lyrics (primarily of the chorus) underwent a few changes between that time and the creation of the Jewish state of Israel some 50 years later, primarily a change where the song once spoke of a hope to return Zion, it now speaks of a hope to live as a free nation there.

Above is a souvenir sheet with the Israeli national anthem lyrics issued in 2008.

Bungler's Block (aka the Chinese Pendulum) Puzzle

I got this puzzle from eBay from a very good seller who was kind enough to give me some freebies. I don't know if he was really kindhearted or this was done to compensate for some little rusty elements on the metals, well anyway, I do appreciate his gesture. I definitely received more puzzles than I deserved- a whole box with no less than ten puzzles! I'll feature the other puzzles included in the box in my next blog.

The Bungler's Block, aka the Chinese Pendulum Puzzle, looks deceptively simple, but it is really a tricky puzzle involving several coordinated movements that's guaranteed to twist your brain. The long delay in my solving the puzzle ( 2 days) was attributed to a maneuver which I totally missed out. The opening and closing loop has two movements--this is the key to solving it. The other moves include coursing the rings through the movable loop and passing the ring over the big hump- a maneuver thats only possible if you are aware of the movable loops other movement. To finally release the ring out, one has to position it before the chained ring, so that it can pass unobstructed. A very good puzzle- a real brain teasing entertainment indeed!

Glimpses of Old Cebu: Images of the Colonial Era

"Glimpses of Old Cebu: Images of the Colonial Era" is a 276-page coffee table book of nearly 600 of the best photographs, postcards, stereoviews and lantern glass slides of Cebu and its many towns taken between 1870-1945. More than just a mere showcasing of rare, never-before-seen images, the book also provides a treasure trove of information accompanying nearly every picture.

The author, Lucy Urgello Miller has been collecting vintage Philippine postcards and photographs for over 20 years, the thrust of her collection being Cebu. She acquired 90% of her Cebu collection in the United States where she is living with her husband Richard. Most of the collection was bought at antique postcards shows. Lucy has about 1,000 pictures and postcards on Cebu but she selected only the best and most interesting for this book.

Mommy Ging, Lucy and Grace

A blue-blooded Theresian, Lucy spent her entire education from kindergarten to college at St. Theresa's College here in Cebu. She obtained her Bachelors of Arts degree with minors in English and Mathematics in 1970. During her college days, she contributed poems and articles int The STAR, the Theresian student publication.

Her great grandfather (Harriolfo Rita Osmeña Espina) and my wife's great grandfather (Asterio Rita Osmeña Espina) were siblings.

Don Severino Osmeña

The patriarch of the Osmeñas, Don Severino, (d. ca. 1860), survived his wife , and he himself- like many of his wealthy contemporaries- took a second wife, Dona Paula Suico. His children of the second marriage were Don Lazaro Osmeña and Juana, the beloved mother of President Sergio Osmeña (1).

My wife is a direct descendant of Don Severino Osmena's first marriage with Doña Vicenta Rita.

Don Severino Osmena and Dona Vicenta Rita, who owned the largest trading company in 18th century Cebu, the Osmena-Rita Co., had four sons- Tomas, Guillermo, Victoriano and Pedro and four daughters- Eduviges, Inocenta, Basilia and Claudia (3). The eldest daughter Eduviges Osmeña married an Espina and bore three children- Nicolasa (unmarried), Asterio and Harriolfo.

Paciano Cui Bondoc and Maria Mercado Espina

Asterio Espina married a Mercado. Their only daughter Maria Mercado Espina, married Paciano Cui Bondoc (son of Miguel Bondoc and grandson of Don Lucio Bondoc of Tarlac/Pampanga).

They had one daughter Sagrario "Gingging" Espina- Bondoc, who married Nestor Morales Morelos (nephew of Marcos Morelos- former Cebu City mayor from 1936-1937) (2). They have only one daughter, my wife, Grace Espina Bondoc Morelos. Asterio later married a second wife, Balbina Villamor. They had four children- Manuel, Mariano, Jacinta (unmarried) and Maria (unmarried).

Harriolfo Osmena Espina and Vicenta Faller Veloso (1900)

Harriolfo Espina, the brother of Asterio Espina married Vicenta Faller Veloso. Their marriage produced eight children- Visitation E. Urgello, Remedios E. Noel, Dr. Salud Espina (unmarried), Soledad Espina (unmarried), Dr. Luis Espina, Mercedes E. Madarang, Asuncion E. Peralta and Jose Espina.

One of Harriolfo's daughter, Visitacion Espina married former Cebu Congressman Vicente Sarmiento Urgello. They had seven children - Manuel Urgello, Nenita U. Tagorda, Lourdes U. Teves, Pilar U. Arcenas, Milagros Urgello (unmarried), Angeles U. Tongoy and Vicente Urgello Jr. One of their son, Manuel Urgello married Milagros Valenzuela, a Cebu carnival queen in 1937. They had five children and Lucy Urgello is the fourth child.

Don Miguel Bondoc

Lucy's mother passed away when she was two years old and she was adopted and raised by her fathers unmarried sister, Milagros Espina Urgello. She also grew up with her three older siblings who were raised by Vicente and Visitacion much to the disappointment of her maternal grandparents who wanted to raise their deceased daughters children. The youngest, Bob, who was a week shy of six months was raised by the two unmarried sisters of Visitacion, Dra. Salud Espina and Soledad Espina. Her father had promised a baby to them if they could make him live. they kept a 24/7 watch over him and saved him several times because of their vigilance(4).

Lucy was formerly married to Senator John Henry Renner Osmena and had a son John Gregory who was a former Cebu vice-governor.

In 1974 she moved to the United states were she got her teachers credentials and became a teacher in 1984. She met her future husband, Rick, at the school were they were teaching and got married in 1983. Both retired from teaching in 2006 (4).

Above picture- the author with my wife and her mom during the book signing at SM City Cebu

(1) Life in Old Parian by Concepcion G. Briones page 21

(2) Cebu, More than an Island by Resil B. Mojares page 24

(3) Life in Old Parian by Concepcion G. Briones page 22-23
(4) Glimpses of Old Cebu: Images of the Colonial Era by Lucy Urgello Miller

Pictures courtesy of the Descendants of Osmena-Espina Clan

The National Anthem of the Transkei

In 1976, Transkei was proclaimed by the apartheid-era South Africa as an "independent black homeland" (in actuality, an area set up to reduce the black population of South Africa by giving them citizenship in this new area.) Not internationally recognized, Transkei was re-incorporated into South Africa when the apartheid system was abolished in 1994.

As a separate "nation", Transkei adopted the famous southern African song "Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika" as its official national anthem. In fact, the song was written and composed in what later became Transkei; as well, the writer of the song, Enoch Sontonga, was a member of the Xhosa people, which was the official language of Transkei. Interestingly, not only was "Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika" used for decades prior to the creation of Transkei as the anthem of the anti-apartheid movement, but also, this song became part of the anthem of the new South Africa after Transkei was re-integrated.

This is a very popular song with the blacks of southern Africa, as not only has it served as the anthem of other southern African states (such as Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe (from 1980-1994)) but also other black "homelands" adopted this anthem such as Ciskei (which also was awarded "independence"), KwaZulu, Lebowa, QwaQwa, Ganzankulu, KaNgwane and KwaNdebele (although these others, with the exception of Transkei (whose official language was also Xhosa), probably used translations into their own language.) There is also no standard version or translation for "Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika", it may vary from place to place and occasion to occasion, and I believe no official version was adopted in Transkei.