31 March, 2009

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 SeƱora 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

30 March, 2009

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

29 March, 2009

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

28 March, 2009

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

27 March, 2009

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

RELATED ENTRY:
M1036: Bauang Beach Resort Postcard