Consuming Passions: Philippine Collectibles

Every time I visit bookstores, I go to the hobbies section, hoping to see a book or two that mainly focuses on postcards, especially Philippine postcards. I got excited when I came across the book "Consuming Passions: Philippine Collectibles" not only because it has a section about Philippine postcards, but it also lists two books about Philippine postcards. I got more excited when I found out that the National Library carry those two books.

(1) Consuming Passions: Philippine CollectiblesBy Jaime C. Laya, editorPublisher: Anvil PublishingCopyright: 2003Pages: 404

This book is a collaboration of remarkable individuals drawn together by editor and former Chair of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, Jaime Laya. The items in the books are categorized with Philippine postcards listed under "objects we gaze at." The essay by Jonathan Best, an avid collector of Philippine photographs and postcards and a publisher, on pages 130-137 provides valuable information that a novice collector must know about collecting postcards, particularly Philippine postcards.
It also discusses the history of Philippine postcards, from American era picture postcards to modern/post 1950s postcards. The best part is that it lists publishers and distributors of Philippine postcards, like the Lambert and Springer Company, the Squires and Bingham Company, Philippine Education Company (PECO), etc., and the places one can purchase old postcards. Unfortunately these companies, I believe, does not exist anymore.
With the help of this essay, I also learned that there are two other books published about Philippine postcards, both of which are included in this blog entry. Lastly the essay mentions the names of Michael G. Price and Abraham Q. Luspo, Jr., who both have large collection of Philippine postcards, and have written researched articles about Philippine postcards. Too bad I couldn't find Mr. Price's contact information online. (Mr. Luspo died last July 2, 2008.)

Additional Information:
Abraham Q. Luspo, Jr. -- Pathfinder in Philippine Philately

Grand Palace, Bangkok Postcards

The two postcards show the aerial views of the Grand Palace (Thai: Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang), a complex of buildings in Bangkok, Thailand. My sister bought this when she visited Bangkok last summer. I was able to visit the palace last 2006 and it was really magnificent! A must visit whenever you are in Bangkok!
The Grand Palace served as the official residence of the king of Thailand from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. After the death of King Ananda Mahidol in the Grand Palace, King Bhumibol moved the official royal residence to Chitralada Palace.

Grand Palace Postcard 1

When Siam restored law and order after the fall of Ayutthaya the monarch lived in Thonburi on the west side of the river. Rama I, on ascending the throne, moved the centre of administration to this side of the Chao Phraya; and, after erecting public monuments such as fortifications and monasteries, built a palace to serve not only as his residence but also his offices--the various ministries, only one of which remains in the palace walls. This palace came to be known as the Grand Palace.

Grand Palace Postcard 2

The palace complex sits on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River. The other approaches to the palace are protected by a defensive wall of 1,900 metres in length, which encloses an area of 218,400 square metres. Further out from the wall is a canal, which was also created for defensive purposes, making the area surrounding the palace an island, known as Rattanakosin.
Parts of the Grand Palace are:* The Chapel Royal of The Emerald Buddha* The Upper Terrace* Subsidiary Buildings* The Galleries* Phra Maha Monthian* Chakri Maha Prasat Hall* Dusit Maha Prasat Hall* Borom Phiman Mansion* Phra Asada Maha Chedi* Amarin Winitchai Hall* Wat Phra Keo Museum

SOURCES:
The Grand Palace Homepage
Grand Palace Wikipedia Entry

Philippine Blog Awards 2 Winners!

Last night we attended the Philippine Blog Awards 2 at the One Esplanade MOA. As I've said in the previous post, this blog was nominated and a finalist for Best Blog under the Hobby/Recreation category.


First a little bit background about my hobby. Deltiology is the study and collection of postcards. Worldwide, deltiology is the third largest hobby after stamp collecting and money collecting. Postcards are collected because of their importance in research. For example, I have in my collection a postcard of Hyatt Terraces Baguio's restaurant, which, as we all know, was a casualty of the July 16, 1990 quake. Or I have Bookmark reproductions of old postcards that shows Philippine buildings and images during the American period.

It has been almost 10 years now since I started collecting postcards. Now I have more than 2000 postcards in my collection. So I decided last year to start blogging all my postcards. I mainly collect Philippine postcards, UNESCO sites, Maps, Paintings, Bridges, Buildings (Hotels, Museums, Palaces, Schools, Airports, etc.), Places of Worship (Churches, Cathedrals, etc.), Planes, Ships, Birthday Greeting Cards.

Now back to the awards night. We arrived at the venue before 6 P.M. and registered, and were then ushered to our seats. There I was able to see the faces behind some of the famous blogs, although I was only able to meet and converse with just one blogger, Greg Quimpo, who owns the blog Dogs Are Us!, a blog that advocates the protection of dogs. (The Animal Kingdom Foundation Rescue Center is located in Capas, Tarlac.)

We also saw several known personalities, Sen. Mar Roxas (who also blogs and gave a speech related to blogging) and Manuel L. Quezon III (one of the judges). I was hoping to meet Ivan Henares and Senor Enrique, two of the blogs I frequently read. PBA gave away 36 awards, including Best Blogs (Hobby, Personal Travel, etc., categories), Best Blog Design, Blogger's Choice Award, etc.

My blog didn't win. But heck, am happy that my blog was one of the finalist. I just want to increase awareness (maybe appreciation) on postcard collecting, and this is a good start!

To all the winners, congratulations. And KUDOS to the Philippine Blog Awards Committee!

Philippine Blog Awards 2

Last August, I received an email from the Philippine Blog Awards team informing me that this blog has been nominated for the Best Blog under the Hobby / Recreation Category. I honestly wasn't expecting this, but I got excited. My main goal is just to show here my postcard collection and of course give a lit bit of information about the image/s on the postcard, and giving awareness on deltiology (postcard collecting) in the country.

This morning I again received an email, informing me that my blog is one of the finalists for the Best Blog- Hobby/Recreation category! The winner will be announced during the 2008 Philippine Blog Awards Night, on September 21,2008. Win or lose, I'm glad that Filipinos are now aware of postcard collecting!

Hyatt Terraces Plaza Postcard

This is one of the postcards that I treasure most. It shows the Kaili Cafe-Restaurant of the Hyatt Terraces Plaza Baguio, one of the casualties of the July 16, 1990 earthquake.

The back of the postcard reads:

Kaili Cafe-Restaurant - located in the picturesque Atrium Plaza. Set amidst colorful handwoven tapestries and refreshing greenery.
Hyatt Terraces Baguio, the only 5-star resort hotel in the Philippines' summer capital, boasts 291 rooms and suites with private balconies, three specialty restaurants, two bars,an Igorot Park and discotheque.

Hyatt Terraces Plaza Postcard

The five-star Hyatt Terraces Plaza sustained the worst damage when its terraced front collapsed onto the hotel lobby area killing about 50 people.

NOTE: COLLAPSED DURING AN EARTHQUAKE
Block 150, Southdrive Road, Baguio City