The Anthem Philatelist

 Ph ilippines - A group of 12 Cebuano artists, collectively called Artistscebuex, successfully held an exhibit entitled Cebu: People, Places and Faces at the Galeri Dunia Seni Lukis, Jalan Pudu Ulu in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last October 26. The exhibit was heldthrough the initiatives of Artmalaysia, in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy. The Cebuano artists who traveled all the way to Kuala Lumpur to join the exhibit were: Gabriel Abellana, Cesar Castillo, Audie Estrellada, Benji Goyha, Maxcel Migallos, Celso Duazo Pepito, Fe Madrid Pepito, Billy Pomida, Jose Brillo Villaver, and Jose “Kimsoy” Yap Jr. Malaysia-based Cebuano artists Aida Uy Sze and Lillian Loseo Tan completed the lineup of exhibitors. The exhibit formally opened with the unveiling of the painting entitled “Seeking Oneness” by Haned Masjak from the National Art Gallery Malaysia. He was assisted by Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia, Hon. Victoriano Lecaros. The painting, which reflects the many similarities betwe...

Dr. Candido Macasaet Africa (1895-1945) was a doctor of medicine, scholar and researcher. His contributions to medical science made him internationally known and won “for the first time recognition of the Filipino scientist abroad, thus reflecting glory and honor upon calling and country.” He was born in Lipa, Batangas on October 2, 1895. After graduation from the College of Medicine of the University of the Philippines, he taught at the Department of Parasitology, School of Hygiene and Public Health of the same college. He became associate professor and head of the department in 1932. It was while teaching at the state university that he became involved in scientific research. In all, he wrote 69 scientific articles, some of which he co-authored with his colleagues Walfrido de Leon, E.Y. Garcia, P.G. Refuezo, F.J. Dy, J. Soriano, J.O. Nolasco, S.F. Sta. Cruz and A.V. Vasquez Colet. Among his important works were “ The Progress of Medical Science In The Philippines,” “An Anthropod Asso...

Jesus Antonio Villamor (b. November 7, 1914 - d. October 28, 1971) a native of Abra. Ace pilot of the Philippines and a World War II hero. Villamor Air Base was named after him.   He was the son of Ignacio Villamor who was the first Filipino president of the University of the Philippines. He finished his primary and secondary education in his hometown in Abra, and later enrolled at De La Salle College in Manila where he took up a business course. But decided to shift to aviation.   In 1936, he joined the Philippine Army Air Corps Flying School, where he excelled and was chosen to be sent to the United States for an advance flight training. He graduated from U.S. Air Corps Flying School at Rudolph and Kelly Field, Texas, U.S.A., 1937 and the U.S. Air Force Technical School in Denver, Colorado, 1938. The young Villamor took part in the training of the U.S. Air Force's Strategic Bombing Squadron which uses the B-17 and B-22 bomber planes.   When he returned to the Philip...

Statesman, educator, lawyer, and diplomat, Manuel Viola Gallego was born in San Antonio, Nueva Ecija on January 18, 1893, to Julio Gallego and Inocencia Viola. He acquired his elementary and intermediate education in Nueva Ecija, and his secondary studies, first in Bulacan and later at the Manila High School. He studied at the University of the Philippines, where he obtained three degrees: Bachelor of Arts, 1913; Bachelor of Laws, 1918, and Master of Laws, 1919. That same year, he earned his Licenciado en Jurisprudencia from the University of Santo Tomas .   Determined to pursue further studies, he flew to the United States and enrolled at Chicago’s Northwestern University , where he received his juris doctor degree in 1928. His thesis, entitled “A Critical Study of the Usury Laws,” was made into a book and later served as reference material in different law schools in the Philippines. Before returning home, he proceeded to Spain and took up postgraduate studies in law at the ...

Grenada is an island country and sovereign state consisting of the island of Grenada and six smaller islands at the southern end of the Grenadines in the southeastern Caribbean Sea. Grenada is located northwest of Trinidad and Tobago, northeast of Venezuela, and southwest of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Its size is 344 km², with an estimated population of 110,000. Its capital is St. George's. The national bird of Grenada is the critically endangered Grenada Dove. This small country first issued a set of Beethoven stamps (comprised of 7 stamps and 1 miniature sheet) on April 24, 1978. Their latest Beethoven is a souvenir sheet of 6 stamps, issued in 2009, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the death of noted composer, and "Father of the String Quartet" Franz Joseph Haydn. One stamp shows the young Beethoven as Haydn's student.

Milan “Milenyo” Melindo of Cagayan de Oro City won by a close but unanimous ten round decision over Anthony “Baby Assassin” Villareal of the U.S. in front of a sell out crowd at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City Thursday night.   Melindo (20W-0L, 5 KO’s) jumped on Villareal at the opening bell and scored a knockdown with his right hook. Villareal got up and tried to keep a safe distance by moving and jabbing. The American found his range in the third and landed one-two combos but Melindo closed the distance and landed hard shots at the end of the round.   In the 4th the shorter Melindo scored repeatedly with his jab and a right hook staggered Villareal again. Melindo continued to invest in body shots but Villareal was still standing and countered effectively. In the fifth, Vi llareal tried to give Melindo different looks by switching to southpaw. Villareal continued to box from a distance but Melindo managed to cut off the ring. But the ALA gym fighter missed a...

Already a general at age 25, Gregorio del Pilar was known as the "boy general" in the revolutionary army directly under the command of Gen. Antonio Luna. He cut a dashing figure with his silver spurs and khaki suit with gold shoulder straps. He led Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo's rear guard as Aguinaldo retreated towards the mountain province. Del Pilar fought a delaying battle against the approaching American Army and died defending the Tirad Pass in La Union. Born on November 14, 1875 to Fernando H. del Pilar and Felipa Sempio of Bulacan, Bulacan, del Pilar was the nephew of propagandist Marcelo H. del Pilar and Toribio H. del Pilar, who was exiled to Guam for his involvement in the 1872 Cavite Mutiny. "Goryo", as he was casually known, studied at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in 1896, at the age of 20. When the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule broke out in August under the leadership of Andres Bonifacio, del Pil...

On June 5, 1898, a week before Philippine independence would be declared, Julian Felipe , a local pianist from Kawit, Cavite, arrived at the home of Maximo Inocencio, one of Cavite's thirteen martyrs during the revolution. Upon his arrival, the leader of the revolution, General Emilio Aguinaldo, asked Felipe to play a march written by a Filipino in Hong Kong. However, Aguinaldo was not satisfied with this march. Recognizing Felipe's skills, he asked him to compose a more soul-rousing tune that would install courage and patriotism in the hearts of every Filipino. On June 11, the day before the declaration of independence, Felipe arrived again and played his tune to the revolutionary leaders. The leaders unanimously approved it as the national hymn. Felipe called his work the "Marcha Filipina Magdalo." On June 12, Felipe's tune was played during the hoisting of the Philippine flag at the historic window at the Aguinaldo mansion. The march was renamed the "March...

"O Canada" was written in 1880 and was sung for the first time later that year at a banquet in the Pavillion des Patineurs in Quebec City. The French words have remained the same to this day. The English version, however, has a more interesting history. When Routhier's lyrics were first published in Toronto, a doctor named Thomas Bedford Richardson translated the words into English and to fit the melody. Two years later, the first edition of the Canadian version of Collier's Weekly held a competition to write English lyrics to the song. Mercy E. Powell McCulloch won the competition with her entry. The words were rewritten again and again, but one version gained the most popularity. It was written by Montreal lawyer Robert Stanley Weir, and only slightly differs from the English version used since "O Canada" was officially declared the national anthem in 1980, one century after it was composed. Before the official adoption of "O Canada" in 1980, th...