M1172: Zamboanga Port

The postcard shows the Port of Zamboanga. The Port of Zamboanga, one of the Philippines busiest ports, has a total area of 156,000 sq. m. The port has 19 docks, with the largest dock having a capacity for up to 20 vessels. Twenty-five shipping lines operate via the port, serviced by four shipyards operating within the port boundaries and in Zamboanga City. It is a center for sardine exports to the United States, Europe and the Middle and Far East.

M1172: Zamboanga Port

SOURCE:
Zamboanga International Seaport Wikipedia Entry

M1168: Fort Pilar Altar Postcard

The postcard shows the Our Lady of the Pillar Shrine at Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City. The Our Lady of the Pillar is embossed at the top of the façade above the eastern wall of the 17th century Spanish military Pilar Fort in 1734.

M1168: Fort Pilar Altar Postcard

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M1053: Fort Pilar Postcard

M1166: University of Santo Tomas Postcard

The postcard shows the bronze Miguel de Benavides Monument in front of the University of Santo Tomas Main Building of the Sampaloc campus. The Benavides Monument was made in Paris in 1889 and inaugurated in July 2, 1891 – opening of the school year.
The base of the statue has the name of the sculptor and year of the make: Tony Noel, 1889. The pedestal was decorated with the seals of the Dominican Order and the university, as well as plaques on which were written the history of UST and a brief biography of the archbishop. The statue was blown from its place by an artillery shell during the Battle of Manila in 1945, totally destroying the marble pedestal. The Benavides Monument was erected again in November 13, 1946 inside the UST Campus in Sampaloc, Manila.

M1166: University of Santo Tomas Postcard

The present bronze statue rises on top of a granite pedestal flanked by four lions and four coats-of-arms. He dons the rugged habit of the pioneer Dominican missionaries. His right hand is elevated in the preaching fashion, his index finger pointing to heavens. His left hand rests on his chest holding a book bearing the words Santo Evangelico on its cover. A skull cap covers his head, and a pectoral cross hangs from his neck, the symbols of Episcopal dignity.

RELATED ENTRIES:M1062: University of Santo Tomas Postcard
University of Santo Tomas Postcards

SOURCE:
History of UST: Benavides Monument Wikipedia Entry

M1165: Malacañang Palace Postcard

This deckle edged postcard shows the Malacañang Palace gate and the Kalayaan Hall (behind the flagpole and tree). Kalayaan Hall, then called Executive Building, was built during the administration of Governor General Francis Burton Harrison (1913-1921). The building housed the offices of the Governor General and Vice Governor on the first floor.

M1165: Malacañang Palace Postcard

The reinforced concrete building was designed by Ralph Harrington Doane, who also designed the Pangasinan Provincial Capitol and the Leyte Provincial Capitol. The building exterior has precast concrete ornaments and ironworks, and the interior ha handcarved wood panels, intricate mouldings, and coffered ceilings.

After the success of the Edsa People Power Revolution, President Corazon C. Aquino ordered the building renamed Kalayaan Hall, to commemorate the return of democracy and liberty to the Filipino people. Then building was turned into a museum during the administration of President Fidel V. Ramos.

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M1154: Malacañang Palace Postcard
M1012: Malacañang Palace Postcard
Malacañang Palace Postcard

SOURCE:
Kalayaan Hall: The Nerve Center of Power

M1157: Burnham Park Postcard

The postcard shows the Burnham Park man-made lake in Baguio City. Burnham Park was named after the American architect and urban planner, Daniel Hudson Burnham, who laid the plans for the city. The park features a man-made lake situated at the center where tourists can enjoy boating with rented boats. Aside from boating, tourists can also rent bikes or visit the orchidarium. During my college years in the city, the park used to have a skating rink. The boats nowadays looks very different than the boats seen in the postcard.

M1157: Burnham Park Postcard

A bust of Daniel Burnham was erected in the northern section where a rose garden is also located.

SOURCE:
Burnham Park Wikipedia Entry

M1154: Malacañang Palace Postcard

The postcard show the original ante-room of the Malacañang Palace Reception Hall. The wooden ceiling was carved by Isabelo Tampingco and the three crystal chandeliers were imported from Czechoslovakia in the 1930s. The chandeliers were removed during World War II and hidden prism by prism.

M1154: Malacañang Palace Postcard

The hall was demolished and rebuilt, without the pillars, during the Marcos' 1978 renovations.

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M1012: Malacañang Palace Postcard
Malacañang Palace Postcard

SOURCE:
Malacañan Timeline

M1150: Taluksangay Mosque Postcard

The postcard shows the Taluksangay Mosque in Zamboanga del Sur; however, comparing to another Taluksangay Mosque (modern postcard) in my collection, the two minarets (tall spires with onion-shaped crowns) are missing in the old mosque postcard below. Was it added in the post-60s? Or is this another mosque?

M1150: Taluksangay Mosque Postcard

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Taluksangay Mosque Postcard

M1149: Tuba Gatherer Postcard

The postcard shows a tuba gatherer climbing a coconut tree to extract sap used in making the tuba. Tuba, considered by Filipinos as a type of hard drink, is coconut toddy that has a stinging sweet and bittersweet taste. The process extracting the sap of an unopened coconut bud. The tip of the bud is lopped and the pale juice allowed trickles into bamboo containers (like the one carried by the man in the postcard). The fermenting process involves the sweetish liquid is stored for one to three days in earthen jars or bottles.

M1149: Tuba Gatherer Postcard

SOURCE:
Tuba WikiPilipinas Entry

M1146: Malacañang Park Postcard

The postcard shows the Malacañang Park viewed from the Malacañang Palace across the river, at the foot of the Nagtahan Bridge. The 5-hectare Malacañang Park contains a golf course, park, billets for the Presidential Security Guard, a Commonwealth-era presidential rest house (Bahay Pangarap) and a recreation hall.

M1146: Malacañang Park Postcard

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M1012: Malacañang Palace Postcard
Malacañang Palace Postcard

SOURCE:
Malacañang Palace Wikipedia Entry

M1138: Downtown Iloilo City Postcard

The postcard shows the downtown Iloilo City business area. This is, I believe J.M. Basa Street. The building on the left side of the postcard is Iloilo Central Trading.

M1138: Downtown Iloilo City Postcard

Calle Real (Downtown Iloilo City Heritage District). Old buildings that were constructed in the Commonwealth era in J.M Basa (Calle Real), Iznart, Aldeguer and Guanco were declared as a Heritage Site of Iloilo. It showcases the unique architecture of the downtown area.

SOURCE:
Iloilo City Landmarks Wikipedia Entry

M1136: Walls of Intramuros Postcard

The postcard shows the circular garita or sentry box of Bastion de San Andres in Intramuros, Manila with the Manila City Hall in the background. Bastion de San Andres, named after the Apostle Andrew, was built in the 17th century on the southeast corner of the Intramuros walls. This ace of spade bastion had a circular garita or sentry post that survived World War II and years of abandonment.

M1136: Walls of Intramuros Postcard

SOURCE:
Intramuros In & Around: An Interactive Guide
Rene B. Javellana
page 56

M1130: Maria Cristina Falls Postcard

The postcard shows the real Maria Cristina Falls (compared to M39: Maria Cristina Falls Postcard) in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte. The Maria Cristina Falls is a 98-m/321.5-ft plunge type of waterfall. The water descends vertically, losing contact with the bedrock surface.

M1130: Maria Cristina Falls Postcard

The back of the postcard reads:

Maria Cristina Falls, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte. This beautiful dynamic falls, harnessed, supplies electrical power for the different mechanical and industrial installations of the city.

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M39: Maria Cristina Falls Postcard

M1127: Chocolate Hills Postcard

The postcard shows the Chocolate Hills. The Chocolate Hills, a rolling terrain of haycock hills, are an unusual geological formation that are scattered throughout the towns of Carmen, Batuan and Sagbayan in Bohol. During the dry season, the precipitation is inadequate such that the grass-covered hills dry up and turn chocolate brown. This transforms the area into seemingly endless rows of "chocolate kisses," hence the name.

M1127: Chocolate Hills Postcard

Estimated to be at least 1,268 to about 1,776 individual mounds spread over an area of more than 50 sq. km., these cone-shaped or dome-shaped hills are actually made of grass-covered limestone. The domes vary in sizes from 30 to 50 metres (98 to 160 ft) high with the largest being 120 metres (390 ft) in height.

The Hills have been declared the country's third National Geological Monument and proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

SOURCE:
Chocolate Hills Wikipedia Entry

M1126: Central Philippine University Postcard

The postcard shows the Administration Building of the Central Philippine University in Jaro, Iloilo City. I could not find any information regarding the building itself.

M1126: Central Philippine University Postcard

The Central Philippine University was founded in 1905 as the Jaro Industrial School by Dr. William Orison Valentine, a missionary of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society. In 1923 the name of the school was changed to Central Philippine College and in April 1, 1953, Central Philippine College gained university status and became Central Philippine University. The University sits on 240,000 sq. m. (24-hectare campus).

SOURCE:
Central Philippine University Wikipedia Entry

M1118: Tree House Postcard

The postcard shows another view of the tree house in Pasonanca Park in Zamboanga City.

M1118: Tree House Postcard

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M1059: Tree House Postcard

M1107: Session Road Postcard

The postcard shows Lower Session Road in Baguio City. Session Road derives its name from the fact that it used to lead up to the old Baden-Powell Hall, where the first Philippine Commission held its sessions from April 22 to June 11, 1904.

M1107: Session Road Postcard

Session Road is the main business area of the city and is the main thoroughfare of Baguio City. Lower Session Road, extending eastward from Magsaysay Avenue running through the business district until the intersections of Father Carlu Street (towards the Baguio Cathedral and Upper Bonifacio Street) and Governor Pack Road. This is the area where businesses are located, among others banks, shops, restaurants, bakeries, hotels, newsstands, boutiques, and studios.

SOURCE:
Session Road Wikipedia Entry

M1102: Salambao Fishing Postcard

The postcard shows the salambao, a fishing device made of a movable wide net mounted on a bamboo craft (balsa). The back of the postcard reads "Salambao Fishing, Pangasinan," but does not name the river. Am not really sure if its really a Pangasinan river or the Paranaque River.

M1102: Salambao Fishing Postcard

M1098: Manila Night Lights Postcard

The postcard shows neon lights rippling over the waters of the Pasig River. I think that the bridge seen in the postcard is the Jones Bridge (named after Atkinson Jones) leading to Escolta district.

M1098: Manila Night Lights Postcard

M1088: Sagayan Postcard

The postcard shows the Philippine war dance Sagayan, performed by the Far Eastern University Dance Troupe. Sagayan is a Philippine war dance performed by both the Maguindanao and Maranao. The term Sagayan comes from the Tausug word of sagay, meaning head-hunter. The war dance depicts in dramatic fashion the steps their hero, Prince Bantugan, took upon wearing his armaments, the war he fought in and his subsequent victory afterwards. On most occasions, this dance is performed before any celebration or gathering to drive away evil spirits (tunong) and to welcome good fortunes or omen.

M1088: Sagayan Postcard

The back of the postcard reads:

A dance of royalty, Sagayan portrays a Maranaw warrior who anticipating combat, displays his valor and prowess in the handling of the kampilan (bladed weapon) and the shield before the ladies of the court.

The dance involves leaping, turning, jumping, kicking and the rolling movements of a warrior ready to defend his master in battle. Performers, depicting fierce warriors would carry elaborately painted shield with curlicues, rounds, twirls and mirrors which are attached with shell noisemakers in one hand. In their other hand, they carry a double-bladed sword (kampilan) of metal or wood. Dancers are dressed in three tiered skirts, brightly colored topper and headgear embellished with all the imaginable colors of twine trimmings formed into flowers, balls, sunbursts etc. Long, yellow playful tassels almost hiding the face surround the headgear.

SOURCES:
Sagayan Wikipedia Entry
Dance 3: Sagayan and other warrior-like dances
Likha Pilipino Folk Ensemble

M1085: Rizal Monument Postcard

The postcard shows another view of the Rizal Monument in Luneta Park, Manila. Also seen in the postcard are two soldiers guarding the monument. Some say that guards are present by the monument's side 24/7, although on the M1084: Rizal Monument Postcard there seems to be no soldier guarding the monument. Again seen in the postcard is the National Library.

M1085: Rizal Monument Postcard

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M1084: Rizal Monument Postcard

M1084: Rizal Monument Postcard

The postcard shows a night view of the Rizal Monument (not Rizal Shrine as identified in the postcard) in Luneta Park, Manila.

M1084: Rizal Monument Postcard

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M31: Rizal Monument Postcard

M1080: Pagsanjan Falls Postcard

The postcard shows the "Pagsanjan Falls" in Cavinti, Laguna. The real name of the waterfalls is actually "Magdapio Falls." However, the falls has been popularly known as "Pagsanjan Falls" because the trip to the waterfalls starts from Pagsanjan, passes through part of Lumban, then to Cavinti. The Magdapio Falls is a 120 m/393 ft horsetail type of waterfall. The descending water maintains some contact with bedrock.

M1080: Pagsanjan Falls Postcard

The back of the postcard reads:

Pagsanjan Falls, Laguna. A two-hour drive from Manila, and to reach the falls, one has to shoot the rapids which is walled by the serene virgin tropical forest some 300 ft. high.

To reach Magdapio Falls, one has to ride on bancas manned by skilled boatmen (bankeros). The upstream trip to the falls lasts more than one hour. One can shoot 14 roaring rapids during the return trip, which is less than one hour.
Before reaching the falls, one may behold many mini-falls like the Talahib Falls, Kaluykuy Falls and Bridal Veil Falls, and 19 unnamed falls that can only be seen during the rainy months. Behind the curtain of the cascading waters is the mysterious Devil's Cave, so named because its opening looks like the profile of a devil's face.

SOURCES:
Pagsanjan Falls and Shooting the Rapids
Pagsanjan Falls Wikipedia Entry

M1073: Jotabal Postcard

The postcard shows the Philippine dance Jotabal, performed by the Far Eastern University Dance Troupe. Jotabal is a lively festival dance in Camohaguin, Gumaca, Quezon. It is derived from the words Jota and valse (means waltz, a step or a dance in three-four time). The male wears Barong Tagalog and black trousers and female wears Maria Clara dress.

I was not able to find the history of the dance.

M1073: Jotabal Postcard

SOURCE:Jotabal WikiPilipinas Entry

M1067: Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Postcard

The postcard shows the famous Bamboo Organ in the Parish Church of St. Joseph in Las Piñas City. The Las Piñas Bamboo Organ is a 19th century church organ made almost entirely from bamboo: only the trumpet stops are made from metal. The builder of both the church and its organ was Fr. Diego Cera de la Virgen del Carmen, a priest under the Augustinian Recollects. Fr. Cera began his work on the organ in 1816 and it was completed in 1824.

M1067: Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Postcard

In 1973, the organ was shipped to Bonn, Germany for a total restoration by Johannes Klais Orgelbau KG. The restored organ returned home in March 1975. On November 24, 2003, the National Museum of the Philippines officially declared the Las Piñas Bamboo Organ a "National Cultural Treasure" for its uniqueness and significance.

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Parish Church of St. Joseph Postcards

SOURCE:
Las Piñas Bamboo Organ Wikipedia Entry

M1064: Bulusan Lake Postcard

The postcard shows the Bulusan Lake in Sorgoson (dubbed as the "Switzerland of the Orient"). Lake Bulusan lies at the heart of Bulusan Volcano National Park. This lake has a circumference of 2,006 meters and has a maximum capacity of water content of 3,472 cubic meters. Its geological age is estimated at 374 years old.
The lake is oftenly mistaken as the Bulusan Volcano’s main crater. It is in fact a body of emerald green water surrounded by a densed gathering of trees and lush tropical plants. There are no streams or rivers that visibly flow into the lake. The major source of water is considered to be seepage from underground water surrounding the lake.

M1064: Bulusan Lake Postcard

The back of the postcard reads:

Bulusan Lake, Sorsogon - Fine scenery with its mild temperature climate, abounding in tropical trees and plants that makes it primeval virgin forest surrounding the cool lake. Altitude, 1800 ft above sea level, no inlet and no outlet.

Bulusan Lake has an interesting legend. It is said that a village once stood where Bulusan Lake is currently located. The legend suggests that a pagan chieftain once managed the land, and one day when he did not honor a promise he made to set his slaves free, waters came from the skies and flooded everything creating the lake. His slaves that were working in the fields survived the floods and are believed to have been the founders of the city of Bulusan.

SOURCES:
Bulusan Lake WikiPilipinas Entry
Lake Bulusan Wikipedia Entry
Bulusan Lake Profile

M1062: University of Santo Tomas Postcard

The postcard shows the monument Arch of the Centuries in the University of Santo Tomas (UST) at Manila. The Arch stands 15 meters away from the University's main entrance along España Boulevard. The side of the arch facing the campus was the main doorway to the university building before it was destroyed by World War II. The stones of that doorway were transferred and reassembled piece by piece in its present site. The side with its Grecian design facing España Street is a reconstruction of the doorway as it originally looked.

M1062: University of Santo Tomas Postcard

The Arch contains Doric columns, but is Baroque in its details. The inscription on the arch says "Gateway to the history of the finest breed of Filipinos." On the left pillar of the facade facing España Boulevard is commemorative plaque honoring national hero José Rizal, and on the right pillar is another plaque honoring President Manuel L. Quezon. Both Rizal and Quezon were UST graduates. On the sides at the top of the Arch are panels depicting the life of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the patron saint of the University and of all Catholic schools.

All incoming students (freshmen and transferees), as parts of their initiation rites into the University, are required to pass through under the Arch. This is known as the Thomasian Welcome Walk.

RELATED ENTRY:
University of Santo Tomas Postcards

SOURCES:
Arch of the Centuries Wikipedia Entry
UST Homepage: Arch of the Centuries

M1059: Tree House Postcard

The postcard shows the famous tree house in Pasonanca Park in Zamboanga City. This tree house has all the amenities of a small hotel room and can be rented.

M1059: Tree House Postcard

Construction of the Pasonanca Park began in 1912 by General John J. "Blackjack" Pershing, and completed during the administration of the Honorable Frank W. Carpenter.

Pasonanca Park, a popular site for youth citizenship training and Boy Scout and Girl Scout jamborees, has three swimming pools, one for children, a second for professional swimmers, and a third looks like a natural swimming hole. The third pool is the oldest of the three, having been constructed during the time of Gov. Carpenter and Parksman Hanley in 1916-1917.

SOURCE:
Pasonanca Park Wikipedia Entry

M1056: World Health Organization Building Postcard

The postcard shows the World Health Organization (WHO) building in Ermita, Manila. No online information found about the building (construction, etc.). It might have been built in the 50s since WHO was established in the Philippines in 1951.

M1056: World Health Organization Building Postcard

M1055: Balara Park Postcard

The postcard shows the old Escoda Hall and the three swimming pools of the Balara Filters Park or Balara Park in Diliman, Quezon City. The Balara Park was originally built from 1949 to 1959 and first opened to the public in 1953. The Balara Park has six main amenities namely the Children's Park, the Pedro Tobias Park, the Escoda Hall, the Windmill Park, the picnic grove and the swimming pools. However, the most notable of these are the Escoda Hall and the swimming pools.

M1055: Balara Park Postcard

The Escoda Hall, a white and red pavilion dominating the swimming pool complex, has a large symmetrical Southeast Asian motif roof, designed by the Mañosa Brothers; however the original tile-like asbestos roofing (as seen in the postcard) was replaced by corrugated steel roofing. There are three large swimming pools next to the Escoda Hall. The biggest of the three is the T-shaped adult pool with the top end of the letter "T" facing the hall. On either side of the adult pool are two rectangular children's pools.

Other vintage structures and statuary that can be found in the park are an Italian Style Chapel; the Orosa Hall, an open ornamental summerhouse; "Bernadine", a white statue of a nude water bearer on the fountain in the rotunda; the Worker's Monument commemorating the NAWASA employees who died in the construction of the filters; the Lion Head, a gaping maw for the filters' backwash water; a replica of the Carriedo Fountain of Sta. Cruz, Manila; A. Giddeon Playground; Baby Terrace named after First Daughter Zenaida Quezon; a 3,000 sq. m. elevated picnic ground with a 200 m. circumference oval; the Anonas Amphitheater.

SOURCE:
Balara: Revived Icon of the 50s
Quezon City Tourist Attractions