Republic of the Philippines - Stamps & Postal History

 

RP Issues of 2006

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2006, December 18.  Graciano Lopez Jaena

150th Birth Anniversary

Litho Offset.  Amstar Company, Inc.  Perf. 14.

Singles, Sheets of 50 (5 x 10)

 

    

 

    7p  Graciano Lopez Jaena, Copy of La Solidaridad Newspaper  -  Singles   (35,000)

 

Designer: Felix Bautista

Project Coordinator:  National Historical Institute

 

First Day Covers:  Manila & Iloilo City

 

 


Graciano Lopez Jaena - Revolutionary Hero

Born on December 18, 1856 in Jaro, Iloilo. He came from a lowly family which has strong values in education and religion. His father Placido Lopez, is a general repairman while his mother, Maria Jacoba Jaena is a seamstress. He studied at the Seminario Tejaro and at an early age, he was placed under the care of Reverend Francisco Jayme who enhanced and developed his skills in speech. Since his ambition was to become a doctor, he tried to enroll at the University of Santo Tomas but was deprived of access due to lack of requirements. While in the city, he worked as a trainee at San Juan de Dios Hospital but due to poverty he was forced to return home to Iloilo and continued his practice there. His encounter with other less fortunate Filipinos opened his eyes to the maltreatment and abuses of the Spaniards. He campaigned to voice out the injustices and wrong doings of the Spanish colonizers. "Fray Botod", the story of a fat and corrupt priest angered the friars more, thus his life was put in danger. He flew to Spain to avoid conflict but continued his battle. He was the leader in the literary faction and became its speaker. He pursued his study of medicine at the University of Valencia but did not complete the course and instead shifted to journalism. 

Lopez Jaena, the orator and journalist was best remembered for being the founder and the first editor of "La Solidaridad", in Barcelona, on February 15, 1889. Along with Marcelo H. del Pilar and Jose Rizal, he was one of the pillars of the Philippine reform movement which eventually galvanized the country's struggle for freedom during the late 19th century. He died a poor man but had he lived longer, his accomplishments would have doubtless been greater. Jaena died of tuberculosis on January 20, 1896 in Barcelona, Spain. 

 

 

TOPICAL CATEGORIES

 

  • Famous Filipinos

  • Writers / Journalists

 

Articles by Dr. Ngo TiongTak

 

 

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Issues of 2006