DON JESUS CACHO
(Philippine Journal of Philately, Sept-Oct 1952)
PEERLESS Philatelist of the Philippines is
undoubtedly, Don Jesus Cacho, the present president of the
Asociacion Filatelica de Filipinas, and well-known businessman and
sportsman. Perhaps
no other collector can parallel, in quality, the Philippine
collection that Don Jesus possesses.
Don Jesus’ ability as a businessman is evidenced
by his being at present, partner, president, and general manager of
Cacho Hermanos, Inc., one of the largest and most modern printing
houses and lithographers in the Islands. Besides, he is President
of the Pan Pacific Advertisers Inc.; Vice-President, Penny Electric
Co.; Vice President, Gold Star Mining Co.; owner of "El Paraiso",
well known fruit and flower plantation in Mountain Province; and
Director of other entities.
As a sportsman, Don Jesus is a prominent figure
in the horseracing circles. A horse enthusiast, he owned several
racing horses until the outbreak of the war. Lately, he was
appointed Racing Commissioner of the Games and Amusement Board,
having forty years of experience in this sport of kings. He is an
active member of the Club Filipino, Casino Español, Manila Polo
Club, etc.
As a philatelist, Don Jesus Cacho has no peer. At
the first Far Eastern Philatelic Exhibition (FEPEX) held in Manila
in February, 1937, his valuable collections, mounted in 82 frames,
were exhibited to the public for the first time. So unique were his
stamps that they were highly acclaimed. No wonder, Don Jesus
captured the Grand Prize and all first prizes for the following
entries:
(1) Philippines: Spanish Domination Air Mail and
Flown Covers, Rarities, Errors, Varieties and Curiosities.
(2) China
(3) Hongkong
(4) British Colonies
(5) Siam
(6) Indo-China
(7) Dutch East Indies
(8) Spain and her Colonies
(9) Air Mail Covers of the World (P. I. excluded)
This was the first and last exhibition
participated in by Don Jesus, who wishes to give his fellow
collectors the opportunity to win prizes at local stamp
expositions.
Noteworthy among his treasured collections is
a complete set of the famous "Broken Wing", the only set now in
existence. Aside
from this set, Don Jesus has in his possession, a block of 16 stamps
of the 16c "Red Sampson” of the Madrid-Manila issue, (Scott's No.
310B) with a "Broken Wing", the only block of 16 known in existence.
Other philatelic gems in his
Philippine collections are:
- Stampless covers from 1844 to 1853,
covers franked with stamps dated from 1854 to date;
his
latest discovery, the "10 cuartos" bisected stamp of 1854 (Scott
2-A) on cover dated "Manila, July 6, 1857";
the
famous error "CORROS"; the 36 stamps which bear three types of
surcharge of the Philippine local postage stamps of 1898 issued by
the municipal government of San Fernando, La Union. (These last 36
stamps came from the Ferrari collection). He also has the admirable
collection of full sheets since 1928 beginning with the London
Orient Flight issue up to the Japanese Occupation with the exception
of (Scott's No. 445) 4-peso blue and black overprinted small
"Commonwealth".
Don Jests started collecting stamps while
still a student, beginning with various stamps of the world taken
different kinds of packages which he bought from time to time. In
1927 he started specializing in Philippine stamps on suggestion of
the late philatelist,
Don
Jose Castañer of Manila.
Born in Iloilo, Iloilo, on January 7, 1894,
Don Jesus studied at the San Juan de Letran College and at the
University of Santo Tomas, graduating from the latter with B.S.C.
and LL.B. degrees. He Is married to the former Rosario Gonzalez
Azaola,
with whom he has seven children, namely, Delie (now Mrs. Tony
Castillejo), Mariles, Mila (now Mrs. Manolet Araneta), Marilu, Mari,
Jesus Javier, and Jose Luis.
The popularity of Don Jesus as a philatelist
is best shown by the chain of position he now holds. Besides being
president of the Asociacion Filatelica de Filipinas, he is Honorary
President, Philippine Air Mail Society; President, First Philippine
Air Mail Exhibition (PAMEX) held is February 1939;
Chairman,
Executive Committee of the 25th Anniversary of the Asociacion
Filatelica de Filipinas celebrated in May 1950; Acting Chairman,
Pan Asian Philatelic Exhibition to be held November 16-22, 1952;
Chairman, Advisory Committee on Stamp Designs, Bureau of Posts;
Member, American Air Mail Society and Collectors Club of New York;
etc. He holds the distinction of having received the first
decoration for meritorious services to the AFF.
DON JESUS CACHO
By Nestor Gonzalez
(Philippine Journal of Philately, Sept-Oct 1949)
In the world of philately, perhaps there is no
other collector that has the most complete collection of Philippine
stamps than Don Jesus Cacho, president and one of the founders of
the Asociacion Filatelica de Filipinas.
Don Jesus was born in Iloilo City, Iloilo, on
January 7, 1894, studied in San Juan de Letran and transferred to
the University of Santo Tomas where he obtained his degrees of
B.S.C. and LL.B.
Don
Jesus, a prominent businessman and sportsman, is at present partner
and General Manager of Cacho Hermanos, Inc., one of the largest and
modern printers and lithographers in the Islands;
President
and Executive Producer of the X-otic Productions, the Philippines'
most modern and successful moving picture company; a member of the
Santa Ana Turf Club and Manila Jockey Club and has been appointed
Commissioner of the Philippine Racing Commission.
While still a student, Don Jesus stamps by
buying packets of different kinds. It was not until 1927 when the
great philatelist Don Jose Castaner suggested that, Don Jesus, as a
Filipino, should specialize in Philippine stamps and start by
buying the complete collection of "Broken Wing" which was at that
time on sale. Since then he has, with enthusiasm, dedicated his
efforts in completing his Philippine collection and to his
satisfaction, and for us all, he owns one of the most complete
collections, and has in his possession various specimens that are
the only ones in existence. Upon having completed his collection,
it was awarded first prize in the First Philatelic Exhibition
organized by the Asociacion Filatelica de Filipinas.
At the Far Eastern Philatelic
Exhibition (FEPEX), the Grand Award went to Don Jesus' collection
together with various first prizes at other exhibitions.
During the Japanese Occupation, Don Jesus kept
himself from saluting Japanese sentries by keeping busy with his
stamps at home, and in a way forgot the distasteful and disgusting
incidents of the war. It was at this time, too, that Don Jesus
formed the Rizaliana collection which by his doing so found 600
varieties in the 2c Rizal surcharged, OB Commonwealth, big and
small.
So great is his love for stamps that
during the evacuation he carried
with him the complete Philippine
collection, then buried it in mountains in Baguio, and in that way
saved it completely.
Liberation came, and Don Jesus acquired the hobby
of collecting coins used in the Philippines, United States and
Mexico. Although he has just been engaged a few years in coin
collecting, Don Jesus has a great number of them and so neatly
arranged in the most modern way. He is very much interested in coins
now but this still doesn't keep him away from stamps whenever he has
the opportunity of acquiring good specimens offered to him.
Stamp collecting is not only a good hobby to pass
the time with, but is beneficial and instructive, too. Once you
start appreciating stamps and gradually complete your collection,
you'll be proud in showing your friends the very fruits of your
efforts during the years of struggle and patience, and your
collection will grow just as your increasing love for stamps.
