Jose B. Laurel 100th birth anniversary stamp issue

Posted on August 29, 2012 by rence chan

Villa Paciencia , 515 S. Laurel Street corner Shaw Boulevard , Mandaluyong City , Metro Manila – Philippines

entrance arch

This estate which is located within Shaw boulevard in Mandaluyong City was originally built in 1957 by President Jose P. Laurel . The Laurel estate is called Villa Paciencia in honor of the late President’s wife, Pacienca Hidalgo, the Shaw Boulevard house is the biggest of the three residences that Laurel built. The mansion is said to rushed in time for the arrival of the New Hampshire newspaper publisher, James Langley. Laurel and Langley headed a group that forged what would be known as the Laurel-Langley Agreement of 1956, which extended parity rights to Americans. When Langley came in 1957, Laurel hosted a luncheon in his honor at the mansion.

entrance of the Laurel mansion with 2 commemorative plaque to mark some historical events which happened in this house

The Laurel mansion in shaw boulevard sits on 1,000 square meter property of a total 6,000 square meter lot which was formerly a cogon areas. He also built a house in Tanauan, which the Laurels consider their ancestral home, and another in Paco, Manila, called the Villa Peñafrancia.

members of the Laurel clan, invited guests and Japanese ambassador to the Philippines

Now, beside it is presently being utilized as Senator Manny Villar’s campaign headquarters was bought in the later part of 2007 . Although this is not my first time to set foot inside the mansion, ( I used to work in an event company nearby , hence was able to take a few snapshots of the facade few years ago )

tarpaulin poster is hung in front of the perimeter wall of the property

Development plan from the area

Crown Asia Residence :

http://luxurymanila.com/2012/07/crown-asia-residences-wack-wack/

It will very soon be the site of a new condominium complex. The plan is said to built 4 building complex in which the old mansion will serve as a focal point of the project .

A few weeks ago , opportunity arose when Mrs. Elenita San Diego ( Head- Philatelic and Postage Department ) , Speaker Laurel Foundation and Villar Foundation invited selected group of people , stamp enthusiasts, the press for the stamp launching and an evening meal at this house.

historical marker

Built in 1957, Villa Pacencia stood amidst grasslands by then former President Jose P. Laurel, President of the second Philippine Republic. He used it as his official residence and as a political hub .

historical marker of President Sukarno stay in this house

The house had its share of distinguished guests; US Senator Brian Langley and Indonesia’s first President Sukarno, to name just a few.

The patio area was extended and used as a function place for the event

The place later came to be referred to as the “Nacionalista Party house.” It was at this residence where several of the country’s leaders and public officials were honed and produced.

Villar Foundation and Speaker Jose B. Laurel book

The special function area can accommodate up to 300 people and is an ideal place to hold special functions like corporate meetings, weddings , debuts and political conventions.

L-R Mr. Rey Ong De Jesus ( stamp advisory committee member) Mrs. Linda Jandoc, Mrs. Elenita San Diego ( Head – Philatelic and Postage Department ) , Postmaster General Mrs. Maria Josefina Dela Cruz , Mrs. Lucy Aroajo , Mr. Romeo C. Ranjo ( APO Philatelic President 1991-1993)

When we toured the place, we went up the original spiral staircase, walked through the arched hallways, look up at its vaulted ceiling and inspected the original wood used when the house was constructed 55 years ago. According to one of the Laurel clan member, There used to be a third storey ( watch tower ) where they would come and play whenever they would visit the old-house.

spiral stairways leading to the second floor of the house , a grand piano and a live flowering potted phalaenopsis hybrid orchid served as a flower arrangement

Its wide windows offer a view of the Japanese-inspired zen garden, live potted flowering orchid display and fishpond . Several birds were gracefully gliding within this open space. This part of the house brought us back to a time long forgotten but there also was a room that looked modern.

current Postmaster General Mrs. Maria Josefina Dela Cruz and former postmaster general Mr. Hector R. Villanueva ( term 2006 to 2010) enjoying a light conversation

Postmaster General Mrs. Maria Josefina Dela Cruz in her key note address to the crowd present during the unveiling ceremonies

In her keynote speech in Filipino ” Kaya naman sa hangaring kilalanin ang kanyang naiambag sa kasaysayan ng pamamahala sa bansa , kasabay ng pagdiriwang ng kanyang ika-100 taon kaarawan , atin pong bubuksan ang mga selyong pang-alaala o commemorative stamps para kay Speaker Pepito Laurel.

Ang mga selyong ito ay sisimbolo sa ipinamalas na kagitingan at kagalingan ni Speaker Laurel sa kanyang piniling larangan ” .

Senator Manuel Villar ( President of Nacionalista party and Speaker Jose B. Laurel Foundation chairman of the board ) Postmaster General Maria Josefina Dela Cruz , Ambassador Jose Marario B. Laurel, IV

Speaker Jose B. Laurel honored :

During President Corazon Aquino’s presidency, he was appointed to the Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Constitution. He is recognized as one of the co-authors of the “Filipino First” policy in the constitution. He died on March 11, 1998 at the age of 85.

Senator Manuel Villar, Postmaster General Mrs. Maria Josefina Dela Cruz and Ambassador Jose Macario B. Laurel IV

ceremonial signing of First Day Issue of Speaker Jose B. Laurel commemorative stamp

In his honor, Villar authored Senate Bill No. 1217 which seeks to name the strip of national highway connecting the towns of Talisay, Laurel and Agoncillo in Batangas as the “Speaker Jose B. Laurel Jr. Highway.”

website link : http://www.senate.gov.ph/press_release/2012/0829_villar1.asp

Mr. Cocoy Laurel serenade the crowd after the unveiling ceremonies

Congresswoman Lally Laurel-Trinidad

I must commend the Vista Land, Jose B. Laurel Foundation , Senator Manuel Villar for preserving this historical house with its semi-restored condition, the winds of change would completely take over the mansion. Vista Land, known to be the biggest horizontal home developer in the country. This house which is dubbed as “The Laurel House – A Living Legacy.” the leaflets extols and details the rich history of this residence.