This is the time of the year in which halloween is celebrated in many parts of the world. But due to the covid 2019 pandemic, fewer people tend to celebrate and send postcards this year compared to the previous years.
Halloween is a specialized theme event for those who collect postcards. The postcard is highly collectible in many parts of the globe.
Dover Halloween Retro Vintage Postcards
A friend send me a complete set of Dover postcards few months ago. The postcard series was printed in 1988 featuring some vintage Halloween themes between early 1900 to the mid 1930’s.
The postcard series is still available in popular online buying site with price ranging from $6.00 for 24 pieces to around $20.00 excluding shipping cost.
Weight for the entire series is about 4.3 oz, Width is 8.3 inches and Length is 10.9 inches for the postcard.
Manila Hotel is one of the most photographed hotels in the country since her establishment in 1912.
With the advent of photography. First known photo studios were introduced in Manila in the later part of the 19th century. Taking photos of people, fiesta, landmarks, recuerdo de patay (memories of the dead) became more popular. Manila hotel postcard with the use of photos became an instant hot commodity among collectors of Filipiniana, memorabilia, postcard, photo collectors not only in the country but also from all over the world.
Manila Hotel photo postcard circa 1925
Manila Hotel real photo postcards
The Manila bay harbor was dredged with millions of tons of mud, gravel and sand were used to reclaim and extend the Luneta, making room for the Elks Club, the Army Navy Club and the crown jewel of the project was a premiere hotel with modern amenities that soon to be called the Manila Hotel.
The Malecon drive which was popular as seaside passageway and promenade area during the Spanish regime was widen and reclaimed. Eventually the drive became Dewey boulevard or Roxas boulevard.
The moat which connects parts of intramuros or walled city to the Manila bay was filled and turned into a municipal golf course and garden.
The site of the hotel was next to Pier 7, where it was now possible to berth four large passenger ships.
Pier 13 is also near the hotel which added more traffic and guests to the hotel.
Visitors can book a room at the hotel and short calesa ride into the historic city centers like Intramuros, Ermita, Malate and Luneta park. During those times, the social event would center in escolta. Eventually the grand social hall of the hotel serves as a nerve center to even the political meetings and gatherings.
It was the in-thing for the wealthy and socialite during American colonial regime to be spotted within Manila Hotel, much of today’s Bonifacio Global City or BGC.
Mr. Daniel Burnham commissioned American architect William Parsons to design the Manila Hotel as well as many buildings with the California style mission which was in vogue in many parts of the United States and Europe.
Manila Hotel circa 1947 photo postcard
Manila Hotel circa 1957 with post war cars and trees growing
Manila Hotel with large acacia and narra trees circa 1959
Please try to visit the other previous article links for Manila Hotel :
Manila Hotel is one of the iconic Philippine hotel landmarks which had been popular among postcard, memorabilia, stamp, matchbox and ephemera collectors from all corners of the globe.
The hotel had been featured by several postcard companies like Philippine Educational Company (PECO), Cardinell-Vincent Company, Denniston, Goldsteins Philippine Postcards, Sun Photo supply Philippine Postcards, The Camera Company Philippine postcards and later by Goodwill Bookstore, Max Basker & Sons, National Bookstore, Sterling – International airline companies like Northwest Orient Airlines, Pan-Am, Philippine Airlines among others.
Manila Hotel obverse portion with American flag and manicured garden
Manila Hotel also have their own set of postcards printed and sold at their gift shop.
Manila Hotel postcard by Cardinell-Vincent Company
Cardinell-Vincent Company is one of the several dozens of companies which printed their postcard series – They have 37 in a series which featured landmarks in the country. The company sold postcards and distributed the items in local bookstores, tourist areas, escolta and major Philippine cities during the American colonial and commonwealth regime.
reverse side or back portion of the postcards in which recipient name and the sender’s name is listed. The upper right portion with box is were stamps is affixed
The company is international base and also have postcards from the United States and other areas.
My friend spotted this postcard on sale few years ago at a popular online platform for just $1.00. The seller had about 70% discount for this American era postcard- originally price was for $2.80 – It was listed for several months.
The postcard had go unnoticed, since there were a lot of sellers at the online platform and maybe there were not enough buyers. The condition of the postcard is good despite the age and some scribble handwriting at the back portion.
He took no time to inform me about this big sale and bought the postcard. The shipping was a little bit more expensive at $3.00 from United States of America to the Philippines. I think it took about two weeks before we got this postcard.
This postcard is unused and was printed around 1920. The size of the postcard is approximately 3 1/2 inch x 5 1/2 inch or 9 centimeters x 14 centimeters.
I was able to find this postcard tucked in one corner while arranging my vintage postcard collection.
Aside from deltiologist, philatelist and memorabilia collectors, Postcards featuring landmarks had been popular subject for school project in Social Studies, Araling Panlipunan, Filipino, History and Architecture during much of post war period until early part of the millennium.
Miss Universe- Philippines 2020 winners and runner-ups were proclaimed few hours ago at a pre-taped telecast.
This was after more than 10 months of preliminary competition, enhanced community quarantine lock down, some candidate had dropped out due to covid 2019 and personal reasons.
Image: courtesy of the Miss Universe Philippines organization
Miss Universe -Philippines 2020 Winners
Ms. Rabiya Mateo of Iloilo City was named Miss Universe Philippines 2020 during the pageant’s pre-taped coronation ceremonies at the Baguio Country Club’s Cordillera Convention Hall over the weekend.
The almost three hour pageant was also shown in different parts of the world via youtube and television broadcast.
Ms. Ysabella Ysmael from Parañaque City bagged first runner-up honors while Ms. Michele Gumabao from Quezon City was named second runner-up.
Ms. Pauline Amelinckx from Bohol was named third runner-up while Ms.Kimberly Hakenson of Cavite was fourth runner up.
The 22-year-old Mateo, who bested 45 other candidates, will represent the country in the 69th Miss Universe pageant, the venue and date is still to be announce.
Great dishes, desserts and friendly people will greet customers and foodies at Amritsari Biryani Kebab Food Corner which is located along unit B- Lot 2, Block 37,Katipunan Avenue corner King Henry street, Kingspoint Subdivision Barangay Bagbag in Novaliches.
Great Dishes at Amritsari Biryani Kebab Food Corner
Yarda Food Hub
Amritsari Biryani Kebab Food Corner first open for business around mid-January 2020 at the famous Yarda Food Hub, unfortunately due to the enhanced community quarantine restriction enforced for several months, the management decided to close the food hub after a couple of months of operations from late May 18 to August 10, 2020.
Amritsari Biryani Kebab Food Corner facade
The name of the restaurant was derived from Amritsar, India which is about 28 kilometers from Lahore,Pakistan. The dishes within the region reflect Indian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern influences.
“the Golden Temple,” which serves as the main focal place for devotion among Sikhism practitioners.
Being a foodie and digital nomad, We took some time to sample their popular dishes.
The restaurant can accommodate between 20 to 25 people at any given time given the restriction and guidelines set by IATF.
Deep Fried Vegetable Pakora – This is a deep fried vegetable dish which is ideally eaten when it is hot. This is also meal viand together with their signature chicken biryani dish. This dish can be shared between 2 to 3 people for just Php 135
Chicken Biryani – This is a savory basmati rice that includes layers of chicken, rice, aromatics that are steamed together. The bottom layer of rice absorbs all the chicken juices as it cooks, giving it a tender texture and rich flavors like cinnamon sticks and pepper corms. The chicken is tender and retains its juicy flavors. This rice meal can be shared between 2 to 3 persons. ( Php 250). We may opt to try to try to spicy version in our next visit.
Their chicken biryani is quite different from the ones we have eaten at Srinidhi Cafe– which represents the southern style of biryani.
Hummus with Meat – Hummus is a popular Indian and middle eastern dip or spread made with chickpeas. A basic hummus recipe is made with cooked chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic and olive oil. The mince beef meat is also tasty. This can be shared between two to three people. Php 150 per order.
Chapati– is a type of Indian flat bread which is made from wheat flour and use for eating hummus. Php 25 per piece
Shawarma BUY 1 Take 1 Promo
We also tried their authentic Indian shawarma – Their shawarma is one of the best within Novaliches area.
The beef meat is very tender and the spices is quite different compared to the commercialize ones. One may opt to choose between the non-spicy and spicy. The pita bread was made from brown wheat flour. Php 150 (promo).
They are also planning to sell vegetable meat shawarma which caters to vegetarians and health buffs starting next week at the same promo price!
Amritsari Biryani restaurant is located just beside Chedy Budbod restaurant which offers pancit bihon sa bilao, budbod tapa among others.
We can not wait to come back and order their famous Khati rolls, Chicken tikka, Chicken Kebab,Cream Butter Chicken, Chicken Masala and others. Those who wanted to experience smoking may also to try their shisha too.
Amritsari Biryani will soon have a partnership with food delivery service providers grab and food panda. Residents within Kingspoint, El Pueblo One condominium, Goodwill Homes 1, California Village, Sierra Vista, Kasiyahan Homes, Grand Monaco Villas and San Pedro IX do not miss this promo.
Note: prices and promos are subject to change without prior notice. the author is not connected with the management nor the operations of the restaurant.
Amritsari Biryani Kebab Food Center
Address: Unit B, Lot 2 Block 37 King Henry corner #60 Katipunan Avenue, Kingspoint Subdivision, Barangay Bagbag, Novaliches, Quezon City
Collectors Connection 