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

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