M1053: Fort Pilar Postcard

The postcard shows Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City, a 17th century military defense fortress built by the Spanish colonial government. One can also see in the postcard a calesa. In defense against pirates and raiders and upon the requests of the Jesuit missionaries and Bishop Fray Pedro of Cebu, the Spanish governor Don Juan Cerezo Salamanca approved the building of a stone fort in the year 1635. The fort was originally called "Real Fuerza de San Jose" and was also called "Real Fuerza de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza" in honor of the patron virgin of Spain, Our Lady of the Pillar.

M1053: Fort Pilar Postcard

Fort Pilar is now an outdoor catholic Marian shrine and a museum. In 1734, a statue of the Our Lady of the Pillar was placed above the eastern wall of the fort making it an outdoor shrine with an altar for praying.

SOURCE:
Fort Pilar Wikipedia Entry

M1050: Corregidor Postcard

The postcard shows the Battery Way in Corregidor, a tadpole-shaped island in the entrance of Manila Bay. Due to its position in the bay, it has served as a focal point for the naval defenses, especially during World War II. Because of its rocky landscape and the fortifications, the island was also known as "the Rock."

There were 23 batteries installed on Corregidor, consisting of 56 coastal guns and mortars. Battery Way, named in honor of 2nd Lt. Henry N. Way, 4th U.S. Artillery, who died in service in the Philippines in 1900, is said to be the most intact of Corregidor's artillery batteries. Construction for this battery began in 1904 and was completed in 1914 at a total cost of $112,969.

M1050: Corregidor Postcard

Its four 12-inch (305mm) M1890 mortar carriages, capable of a 360-degree traverse, could fire on land targets at Bataan. These mortars were manned by a crew of fourteen. Firing sequence was done to two of the mortars at a time to achieve a salvo effect.

The back of the postcard reads:

Giant 12-inch mortar, biggest ever built, weighs 25 tons and could shoot a 670 lb. projectile. The relics are still to be seen on the "Rock".

SOURCES:
Corregidor Wikipedia Entry
Battery Way Wikipedia Entry
Corregidor Island: Battery Way

M1040: Colorful Moro Vintas Postcard

The postcard shows the colorful vintas on the Zamboanga waters in Mindanao. The vinta (locally known as lepa-lepa or sakayan) is a traditional boat made by Badjaos and Moros lining in the Sulu Archipelago. It has a cloth sail with assorted vertical colors. These boats are used for inter-island transport of people and goods.

M1040: Colorful Moro Vintas Postcard

SOURCE:
Vinta Wikipedia Entry

M1038: Tagaytay Coconut Palms Postcard

The postcard shows coconut palms at the 13-hectare Picnic Grove in Tagaytay. The Picnic Grove provides the finest view of the volcano far below and the coastal towns of Batangas. You can go horseback riding, go shopping for fruits and souvenirs, go skating, run around on the rolling terrain, try the grove's cable car, and look at the Taal Volcano from the view deck while enjoying the cool breeze. It features picnic areas and huts line along the gentle slopes of the Tagaytay Ridge.

M1038: Tagaytay Coconut Palms Postcard

SOURCE:
Tagaytay Picnic Grove

M1037: Bauang Beach Resort Postcard

The postcard shows a beach resort in Bauang, La Union. Unfortunately the postcard also does not mention the name of the resort.

M1037: Bauang Beach Resort Postcard

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M1036: Bauang Beach Resort Postcard

M1036: Bauang Beach Resort Postcard

The postcard shows the swimming pool of one of the beach resorts in Bauang, La Union. Unfortunately the postcard does not mention the name of the resort.

M1036: Bauang Beach Resort Postcard

M1022: Traveling Handicraft Store Postcard

The postcard shows a traveling handicraft store. The back of the postcard reads that such stores travel some 150 km to sell their wares, mostly handicrafts like baskets, winnowing baskets, baby hammock, etc.

M1022: Traveling Handicraft Store Postcard

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M28: Traveling Vendor Postcard

M1015: Rizal Avenue Postcard

The postcard shows a view of Rizal Avenue as seen in the 60s. Seen in the postcard are some of the famous cinemas in the area, Ideal Theater and State Theater (right side of the postcard after Otis), and also the Otis Department Store. Still no Manila LRT Yellow Line!

M1015: Rizal Avenue Postcard

Prior to and right after World War II, Rizal Avenue was center of the city's social life, with the street lined with shops, restaurants and movie theaters like the Ideal and State Theaters. The Ideal Theater, designed by Pablo Antonio in 1933, was demolished in the 1970s to give way to the construction of a department store. The State Theater, designed by Juan Nakpil, was built in the 1930s with its art deco design. It closed in the 1990s and was demolished in 2001. The main culprit of the deterioration of Rizal Avenue area was the LRT.

Rizal Avenue: The Sta. Cruz district's main street and Manila's longest (from Carriedo in Quiapo to Monumento in Caloocan City) is popularly known as Avenida Rizal named after Jose Rizal. Formerly Calle Dalumbayan, which meant edge of town or end of civilized territory.

SOURCES:
Rizal Avenue Wikipedia Entry
Standalone movie theaters of the Philippines
Daluyan: Historical Dictionary of the Streets of Manila
by National Historical Institute, p. 92

M1013: Las Piñas Salt Bed

The postcard shows the salt beds of Las Piñas where salt is produced the old fashioned way. This made the city "Salt Center of Metro Manila." In the 80s, the salt making industry was affected by the construction of the Coastal Road and reclamation project along the Manila Bay.

M1013: Las Piñas Salt Bed

SOURCES:
Las Piñas City
Las Piñas City Wikipedia Entry

M1012: Malacañang Palace Postcard

This deckle edge postcard (has an uneven or wavy edge) shows the Malacañang Palace and its grounds in Manila, the official residence of the President of the Republic of the Philippines.

M1012: Malacañang Palace Postcard

RELATED ENTRY:
Malacañang Palace Postcard

M1010: Ruins of Camalig Postcard

The postcard supposedly shows the Ruins of Camalig. The back of this postcard reads:

Ruins of Camalig - The bell tower, what was left of the church, after the destructive eruption of the beautiful Mayon on February 11, 1814.

This is actually the Bantay Church Bell Tower in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. Just like any other Spanish churches in Ilocos, the bell tower is constructed separate from the main church. The bell tower stands a top the nearby Calvario Hill with a blind Gothic arch over its doorway. The belfry was used also as watchtower by towns people to see incoming invaders.

M1010: Ruins of Camalig Postcard

RELATED ENTRY:
Shrine of Nuestra Senora de la Caridad Postcard

SOURCES:
Ilocos Review, Volume 3, Number 1 & 2, January-December 1971. Churches in Ilokandia, p. 280
Province of Ilocos Sur Things To Do

M1006: Quezon Hall Postcard

The postcard shows the Quezon Hall of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. The hall was named after former president Manuel L. Quezon. It is located behind the Oblation statue as an arch.

M1006: Quezon Hall Postcard

Quezon Hall was designed by Juan Felipe Nakpil. Quezon Hall, one of the six pioneer buildings of the Diliman campus, was among the buildings constructed at the Diliman campus in the early 1950s, following the University’s exodus from Padre Faura to Diliman in 1949. An imposing colonial structure at the end of the University Avenue, it was completed in 1950.

RELATED ENTRY:
University of the Philippines, Diliman Postcards

SOURCES:
Legacy of 2 UPD buildings underscoredThings and Places named after Quezon

M1001: AGRIFINA Circle Postcard

The postcard (not 3D) shows the AGRIFINA Circle in Manila. You can see an old bus and also an old car circling the rotunda, and at the background is the Department of Finance building (now the National Museum).

M1001: AGRIFINA Circle Postcard

It was called AGRIFINA because beside it are the former buildings of the Department of Finance and the Department of Agriculture. The circle is now called Teodoro F. Valencia Circle named after the Filipino journalist, columnist, and an acknowledged giant in Philippine journalism during the 1960s and 1970s.

The fountain in the middle of the circle became a globe fountain skating rink during the 70's. What stands now is the 40-foot tall brass statue of Lapu-Lapu made by sculptor Juan Sajid Imao, which was unveiled in 2004.
TRIVIA: Teodoro F. Valencia Circle is the biggest rotunda in the country at 142 m in diameter.

SOURCES:
DOT unveils Lapu-Lapu monument at Luneta
Bonifacio Circle
Republic Act No. 6836
Teodoro Valencia WikiPilipinas Entry

M45: Chinese Gate Postcard

The 3D postcard shows the three-arched Chinese gate in Luneta, Manila. This is the main entrance to the Chinese Garden. Again seen in the background are the Hilton Hotel (now the Manila Pavilion Hotel) and the National Library.

M45: Chinese Gate Postcard

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M30: Chinese Garden Postcard

M42: Chinese Garden Postcard

The 3D postcard shows another view of the Chinese Garden in Luneta, Manila. I am not sure what to call the structure seen in the postcard.

M42: Chinese Garden Postcard

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M40: Chinese Pagoda Postcard

M40: Chinese Pagoda Postcard

The 3D postcard shows a pagoda (as read in the postcard) in the Chinese Garden in Luneta, Manila. I think it is Chinese pavilion and not pagoda. Chinese pavilions are covered structures without surrounding walls and are a traditional part of Chinese architecture.

M40: Chinese Pagoda Postcard

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M30: Chinese Garden Postcard

SOURCE:
Chinese pavilion Wikipedia Entry

M39: Maria Cristina Falls Postcard

The 3D postcard shows a replica of the famous Maria Cristina Falls (as read in the postcard) at the Luneta Park, Manila. It doesn't look like the real falls though.

M39: Maria Cristina Falls Postcard

Maria Cristina Falls, at 320 feet high, is the second highest falls in the Philippines. It is found in Iligan City on the island of Mindanao. It is sometimes called the "twin falls" as the flow is separated by a rock at the brink of the waterfall. The waterfall is also the primary source of electric power for the city's industries.

SOURCE:
Maria Cristina Falls Wikipedia Entry

M38: Luneta Park Postcard

This is another 3D postcard that shows the Luneta Park, Manila. In the background are the Rizal Monument, and several buildings that include the Hilton Hotel (now the Manila Pavilion Hotel), the National Library, and the old Finance Building (now the National Museum).

M38: Luneta Park Postcard

RELATED ENTRIES:
M31: Rizal Monument Postcard
National Museum of the Filipino People Postcard

M36: Nipa Hut Postcard

The 3D postcard shows a typical provincial view after harvest. It shows a young boy riding a Philippine bull, rice stacks called mandala, and the nipa hut.

M36: Nipa Hut Postcard

The nipa hut, also known as bahay kubo, is an indigenous house used in the Philippines. Its name is said to have originated from the Spanish word, cubo, which means “cube,” because of the bahay kubo's rectangular/cubic shape.

The nipa hut is constructed out of bamboo tied together, with a thatched roof using nipa/anahaw leaves. The walls are made of nipa and cogon leaves or sawali or woven bamboo, and there are large windows on all sides, which keep the interior well-ventilated.

SOURCE:
Bahay Kubo WikiPilipinas Entry

M35: Tinikling Postcard

This is a 3D postcard that shows the Philippine dance Tinikling. The tinikling is the national dance of the Philippines and considered as one of the oldest dances in the country, originating in Leyte in the Visayas. The tinikling involves two people beating, tapping, and sliding bamboo poles on the ground and against each other in coordination with one or more dancers who step over and in between the poles in a dance.

M35: Tinikling Postcard

The back of the postcard reads:

Tinikling - a favorite in the Visayan islands. It depicts the movement of the tikling birds walking between grass stems or hopping among branches. Skill is demonstrated in dancing between clicking bamboo poles.

(By the FILIPINESCAS: Philippine Life, Legend and Love in Dance.)

The dance is a reference to tikling, a bird with long legs and neck. The birds are considered as the worst enemy of the Waray farmers because prey on the ripening rice grains. To prevent this, the farmers would place some bitik, traps made of bamboo, to catch the birds. The birds, however, would still manage to escape from the traps. The tinikling dance imitates the movements of the tikling birds escaping from the bamboo traps set by the farmers.

RELATED ENTRY:
El Baile Tinikling Postcard

SOURCES:
Tinikling: The Philippine National Dance
Tinikling WikiPilipinas Entry

M33: Flower Clock Postcard

The 3D postcard shows the Rado Flower Clock in Luneta Park, Manila. An online blog mentioned that Geneva's flower clock located between the Mont Blanc Bridge and the Jardin Anglais in the center of Geneva inspired former First Lady Imelda Marcos to put up this flower clock.

Now the clock is not functioning, with its hands removed. Too expensive to maintain, they said.

M33: Flower Clock Postcard

In the background is the famous Hilton Hotel, now the Manila Pavilion Hotel.

SOURCES:
[CR Switzerland] Journal Entry – Day 03
Geneva's Flower Clock

M32: Luneta Lagoon Postcard

The 3D postcard shows the Central Lagoon located, of course, in the middle of the Luneta Park, Manila. The lagoon has dancing fountains (as seen in the postcard) that can soar up to 80 feet high. Around the lagoon is the Gallery of Heroes or Heroes Promenade with busts of national heroes such as Marcelo H. del Pilar, Apolinario Mabini, and Sultan Kudarat.

M32: Luneta Lagoon Postcard

You will see in the background the Rizal Monument and the Quirino Grandstand, named after President Elpidio Quirino.

RELATED ENTRY:
M31: Rizal Monument Postcard

SOURCE:
LUNETA : A destination, not a landmark

M31: Rizal Monument Postcard

The 3D postcard shows the Rizal Monument in Luneta Park, Manila. The bronze and granite Rizal Monument in Luneta was designed by Richard Kissling of Zurich, Switzerland, the second placer in the international art competition held between 1905 and 1907 for the monument design. His entry is entitled “Motto Stella” (Guiding Star) . The monument was unveiled on 30 December 1913, Rizal's 17th death anniversary.

M31: Rizal Monument Postcard

Description: 12.7 m bronze and unpolished granite sculpture and obelisk. On one side of the Rizal Monument is a marble plaque marking the exact spot where the hero met his death by firing squad and on the other side is one of his poems. The central bronze figure is of Dr Rizal. The bronze figures around the sculpture were cast in Switzerland. Dr Rizal's remains are buried within the monument.

SOURCES:
Rizal Park Wikipedia Entry
Rizal Monument

M30: Chinese Garden Postcard

The 3D postcard shows the lagoon of the Chinese Garden located beside the Rizal Park in Luneta, Manila. The garden is said to have Chinese pavilion, moats, bridges, stone lanterns, and arches or gates designed like the ones found in Chinatown.

M30: Chinese Garden Postcard

I read online that the garden was donated by the Taiwan-based Nationalist regime of Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek in the post-WWII era and built to promote friendship and tolerance between China & the Philippines.

Admission fee is Php5.00.

M28: Traveling Vendor Postcard

This is a 3D postcard that shows a traveling vendor. The "traveling store," pulled by a Philippine bull (male cow), sells Philippine-made bamboo handicrafts like baskets, winnowing baskets, baby hammock, etc.

M28: Traveling Vendor Postcard

M27: Itik-itik Postcard

This is a 3D postcard that shows the Philippine dance called "Itik-Itik." The Itik-Itik dance is popular among the Visayan settlers of the province of Surigao del Norte. Its steps are similar to the movements of a duck (itik in Filipino), as it walks with short, choppy steps and splashes water on its back while attracting its mate.

M27: Itik-itik Postcard

The back of the postcard reads:

This dance depicts the movement of the duck as it walks and plays in the water while calling for its mate. it is popular among the settlers of Surigao Province.
(By the FILIPINESCAS: Philippine Life, Legend and Love in Dance.)

I found out that the Filipinescas Dance Troupe is a 38-man dance group that toured Europe during the 1960s. The tour is entitled Filipinescas: Philippine Life, Legend, and Lore in Dance (not Love in Dance as read in the postcard), a stage presentation depicting Philippine life and its rich cultural traditions.

SOURCES:
Itik-Itik WikiPilipinas Entry
Filipinescas

M24: Calesa Postcard

This is a 3D postcard that shows the kalesa or calesa or karitela. The calesa is a horse-driven carriage used in the Philippines and was one of the modes of transportation in the Philippines that was introduced by the Spaniards in the 18th century that only nobles and high ranked officials could afford. They are rarely used in the streets nowadays except in tourist spots (Vigan, Intramuros, etc.).

M24: Calesa Postcard

The back of the postcard reads:

Calesa - With a lady passenger in Filipina dress at Fort Santiago, Manila, Philippines

However, if you look closer, the calesa does not have any passenger behind the driver. The ruins behind the calesa is part of the Jose Rizal Shrine in Fort Santiago.

SOURCE:
Kalesa Wikipedia Entry

M22: Philippine Orchid Postcard

This is a 3D postcard that shows a Philippine orchid. I also could not identify this specific orchid.

M22: Philippine Orchid Postcard

M20: Daisy Postcard

This is another 3D postcard that shows daisies. Probably the same bouquet of daisies as the M19 Postcard, just shot in a different angle.

M20: Daisy Postcard

M19: Daisy Postcard

This is a 3D postcard that shows three daisies (as what the back of the postcard says). I also had time identifying the exact specie of the daisy. There are about 1,600 genera and 23,000 species of the family Asteraceae or Compositae (known as the aster, daisy, or sunflower family).

M19: Daisy Postcard

SOURCE:
Asteraceae Wikipedia Entry

M17: Rose Postcard

This is a 3D postcard that shows a bouquet of red and pink roses in a vase and taken in a studio, I assume. There are over 100 species of rose so I cannot identify the exact species of the roses in the postcard.

M17: Rose Postcard

Roses in the Philippines are grown either in the open or in greenhouses. Benguet, Cavite, Batangas, Tagaytay, Cebu, Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Davao City are major producers of roses (cut flowers) in the Philippines, and the varieties of roses commercially grown include Red Success, Mercedes, Golden Times, Texas, White Liberty, Jacaranda, Raphaela and Athena.

SOURCES:Rose Wikipedia Entry
Cut Flower Production in the Philippines