History (37)
Philippine trivia, including general history, classical world history, archaeology, plus specific trivia on the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, etc.
The beginnings of Philippines-Korea relations are rooted in the commitment of both countries to freedom and democracy and in their common desire for peace and development. These values have served to sustain the friendship and cooperation which have characterized their relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties on 3 March 1949.
The Korean War, in which Filipino soldiers and other UN allied forces fought in defense of democracy is a testament to the strength and solidity of such relations. Thevarious political exchanges beiween the fwo countries demonstrate how Ihe relations have grown and deepened through the years. TheRP-ROKpolicy consultations, in particular, have strengthened bilateral cooperation by providing an avenue for the discussion of bilateral issues and concerns in areas such as trade, investment, official development assistance, labor and consular mat1ers. The RP-ROKbilateral meetings on logistic and defense industry cooperation have been most effective in strengthening RP'sdefense capabilities and in fostering close linkages befwsen the military establishments of both countries.
The first known postal document, found in Egypt, dates from 255 Be. But even before that time postal services existed on nearly every continent in the form of messengers serving kings and emperors. Over time, religious orders and universities added their own message delivery systems and eventually, private individuals were allowed to use these messengers in order to communicate with one another. In these early postal system the postal charges were generally paid by the recipient. In the seventeenth century the first international postal treaty was established, consisting of bilateral agreements governing the transit of mail within several European countries.
Two centuries later, the web of bilateral arrangements between countries had become so complex that it began to impede the rapidly developing trade and commercial sectors. National postal reforms started the process of bringing order and simplication to the international postal services. Probably the most important of these took place in England in 1840 under the leadership of Sir Rowland Hill. Letters were to be prepaid, using a uniform rate of one penny in the domestic service for all letters of a certain weight, regardless of the distance involved.
On the initiative of United States Postmaster General Montgomery Blair, a conference was held in 1863, in Paris, France, to continue the process of postal reform at the international level. Further attempts to improve the international postal service on the basis of bilateral agreements during the rest of the cultural developments. Heinrich von Stephan, a senior postal officer from the North German Confederation, then drew up a plan for an international postal union. At his suggestion, the Swiss Government convened in Berne, from 15 September 1874, a conference which was attended by representatives from twenty-two nations.
On 9 October- a day now celebrated throughout the world as World Post Day-the Treaty of Berne establishing the "General Postal Union" was signed. Membership in the Union grew so quickly that the name was changed in 1878to "Universal Postal Union". The Treaty of Berne succeeded in unifying a conflicting international maze of postal services and regulations into a single postal territory for the reciprocal exchange of letterpost items. It reduced the multitude of rates for mail between the twenty-two countries which met in Berne to a single rate for all. Within the single territory, the principle of freedom of transit for letter-post items was also guaranteed by all parties. The barriers and frontiers which had impeded the free flow and growth of international mail had finally been pulled down.
Today, by virtue of its mission to promote and develop communication between the people of the world, the UPU is called upon to play an important leadership role in promoting the continued revitalization of postal services.
Juan F. Nakpil, architect, teacher, and civic leader, is a pioneer and innovator in Philippine architecture. He has shared his outstanding talents and services in creating edifices, both private and public, that are conceptually well-designed and conscientiously executed. While mindful of contemporary design, Nakpil has always advocated a distinctive architecture reflective of Philippine traditions and culture.
He designed the-1937 International Eucharistic Congress altar, rebuilt and enlarged the Quiapo Church, and restored the national shrine that is Dr. Jose Rizal's home in Calamba. He has invested in each of the edifices he designed the proud spirit of creativity which integrates strength, function, and beauty in the large or small buildings that are the country's architectural heritage.
With the persistence of inspriation and genuine concern, he has led' his colleagues in upgrading the standards of competence and practice in the profession and in the betterment of the educational courses for architecture; it is largely due to his zealous representation and efforts that private Filipino architects and engineers, by law, may now participate in the design and execution of government projects.
His firm, Juan F.Nokpil and Sons, is indicative of the creative Filipino family guided by a strong sense of cultural nationalism and generous participation in helping build an environment that is native to the temperament of the people, but at the same time embracing the demands of change from the rural to the urban way of life.
Pursuant to Proclamation No. 1144,dated 15 May 1973, and in recognition of his rare excellence and significant contribution to architecture, Juan F. Nakpil is conferred on June 12, 1973, Independence Day, as National Artist.
Battle of Paye, Boac, Marinduque Featured
In retaliation to the Americans' initial volley, the Filipinos led by Lt. Colonel Maximo Abad quickly released a massive gun salvo. For two hours the Americans tried to beat off the latter, to no avail.
This is the first time that the' World Meeting of Families will be held in Asia. The first was held in Rome (1994) during the Year of the Family, the second in Rio de Janeiro (1997), and the third in Rome (2000) in the framework of the Jubilee of Families.
It is significant that the Fourth World Meeting of Families will be held in the Philippines, the only Catholic country in Asia, which is home to about two: thirds of the world population. However, Christians in Asia comprised only three percent of the entire continent's population. Thus, a great majority of Asian people has yet to hear and meet Jesus, making Asia a vast mission field for evangelization. Apart from being a missionary recipient, Asia has much to offer the world especially in the way it values families as a great treasure. All these boils down to this year's theme: "The Christian Family: Good News for the Third Millennium."
To ensure the success of the Fourth World Meeting of Families, Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin declared 2002 as the year of catechetical preparation of the Archdiocese of Manila for the grace-filled event. The Cardinal believes that the success fo the event depends on the spiritual preparation of the Archdiocese of Manila and the entire Philippine Church. The Archdiocesan Catechetical Ministry has been tasked to prepare various seminars and formation modules made available in time for the Fourth World Meeting of Families Preparatory Festivals. These are Festival of Fathers (March 17, 2002), Festival of Mothers (May 12, 2002), Festival of Youth (August 24-25, 2002), Children's Week (September 29 - October 5, 2002), and Concert for Families (December 14, 2002).
Congresses and activities will be held to mark the Fourth World Meeting of Families from January 22-26, 2003. These are the International Theological and Pastoral Congress (January 23-24, 2003), Sons' and Daughters' Congress (January 23-24, 2003), Eucharistic Celebration of Families on Pilgrimage (Morning, January 25,2003), and Festive Meeting of Families with Testimonies (Afternoon, January 25, 2003).
But all are still in prayers that the Holy Father will come to grace the celebration of families. If the Holy Father comes, a vigil will be held in his presence. This event is much hoped for especially by the Filipinos who remember with extreme affection and warm feelings, the World Youth Day with the Holy Father in 1995, which drew almost five million people, the biggest ever gathering assembled for a visit of the Supreme Pontiff. The Meeting of Families will culminate with the Eucharistic Celebration of Families on Pilgrimage in the morning of January 25, 2003, where all over the Archdiocese of Manila and selected churches will host liturgical rites for the participants and will be in various languages.
Philippine relations with Thailand are among the oldest and most fruitful in Philippine history. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties on 14 June 1949, relations between the two countries have been characterized by cordiality, harmony, and dynamism.
The Philippines and Thailand share many similarities. The two countries have been brought to new heights through frequent exchanges of visits by their officials. In December 1992, former President Fidel V. Ramos visited Thailand and in September 1995, former Thai Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-Archa visited the Philippines. Former President Ramos also traveled to Thailand in December 1995 and March 1996 to altend the 5th ASEANSummit and the Asia-Europe Meeting, respectively. FormerThai Prime Minister ChavalitYongchaiyudh visited the Philippines in January 1997,and on 18-20 December 1998, President Joseph Ejercito Estrada visited Thailand.
People-to-people contacts between the nationals of the Philippines and Thailand hove always been warm. Thailand hosts around 5,000 Filipinos comprising of students, professionals, UN employees and others. The Thai officials have extended ready and friendly support and cooperation in the performance of the Philippine Government of its duty to protect the interest of its nationals in Thailand. There are around 260 Thais in the Philippines, who are mostly students and businessman.
Over the years, Philippine-Thai relations have yielded a total of 15bilateral agreements covering, among others areas, trade, investment, tourism, science and technology, agriculture, defense, and taxation. Trade and investment is one sector where cooperation continues to grow. Five years ago, the Philippines' total trade with Thailand amounted to US$560 million. Last years, this figure reached US#lA billion. The enchancement of political and economic relations was aided by the establishment of the Philippines-Thailand Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBCI,a forum aimed at conducting, reviewing, and assessing the two countries' relations. The third meeting of the RP-Thailand JCBCwill be hosted by the Philippines on 10-13 June 1999.
The visit to the Philippines of H. E.Chuan Leekpai, Prime Minister of the Royal Kingdom of Thailand on 13-15 June 1999 is another opportunity for further strengthening the ties that bind Filipino and their Thai brothers. The visit, which coincides with the celebration of the golden jubilee of Philippine-Thailand bilateral relations on 14June 1999 serves as a warm reassurance of the prospects of an event more fruitful and enduring relationship in the new millennium.
International Year of Older Persons. (IYOP), World Teachers' Day (WTD) and World Heritage Site (WHS)
WORLD HERITAGE SITE - Paoay is located on a sandy plain, bounded by San Nicolas, Batac, Badoc and the sea. The blankets woven with hair by the women of Paoay were highly prized. Early documents refer to this town .as Bombay, the name which must have been the basis of the legend which hold that the very remote ancestors of the Paoayanos were settlers who had immigrated all the way from Bombay in India. Originally this town was a settlement located along the shores facing the China Sea. As early as 1593 this town was a Visita of Batac. The council of May 4,1686 made the convent of Paoay an independent house with Fr. Lucas Sanchez named prior Vicar it is believed that on the same year Paoay was founded as an independent parish under the titular patron San Agustin. In 1744, the council hither requested the prior-general to grant the prior of Paoay the right to vote in the provincial meeting in exchange for the vote held formerly by the prior of Bauang. In testimony signed in Paoay on January 14, 1710 Captain Don Lucas Manzano de Ochoa certifies that this church had decorations that no other church in the country could have.
INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF OLDER PERSONS - The lJnited Nations Principles of Older Persons was adopted by the UN General Assembly (resolution 46/91) on 16 December 1991. Governments were encouraged to incorporate them into their national programmes whenever possible. Some highlights of the Principles are: Older Persons should have access to adequate food, water, shelter, clothing and health care through the provision of income, family and community support and self-help; have the opportunity to work or to have access to. other income-generating opportunities; be able to participate in determining wh.en and at what pace withdrawal from the labour force takes place, be able to live in environments that are safe and adaptable to personal preferences and changing capacities; be able to reside at home for as long as possible. Older persons should remain integrated in society, participate actively in the formulation and imptementation of policies that directly affect their-well-being, and share their knowledge and skills with younger generations; be able to form movements or associations of older persons; have access to health care to help them to maintain or regain the optimum level of physical, mental and emotional well-being and to prevent or delay the onset of illness; and should be able to pursue opportunities for the full development of their potential; Older persons should be able to live in dignity and security and be free of exploitation and physical or mental abuse and be treated fairly regardless of age, gender, racial or ethnic background, disability or other status, and be valued independently of their economic contribution. The United Nations has declared 1999 as "International Year of Older Persons" (IYOP) while the nationwide celebration was decreed in Proclamation 1048 by then President Fidel V. Ramos.
WORLD TEACHERS' DAY - In 1994, the United nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed October 5 World Teachers' Day in order to honour the teaching profession and make the public aware of the value of teachers. More than 100 Members States have officially recognized this UNESCO initiative, which represents a significant token of appreciation to the vital contribution that teachers make to education and development. Education is the single largest wage-sector of employment in the world with about 50 million teachers active in 1998, or nearly 1% of the world's total population. In declaring this International Teachers' Day, we would like to tell the teachers of the world, at the same moment in time, that we are thankful to them for their hard work and dedication and for the heavy responsibilities they bear in educating the children of today to become the citizens of tomorrow.
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Battle of Paye, Boac, Marinduque (History )
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