Manila Cathedral postcard with timbre cote vue cancellation

Manila Cathedral is one of the most photographed and featured cathedral in the country. Several postcard companies had featured this church since photography and postcards were introduced towards the end of the 19th century up to late 20th century.

Prior to the advent of photography, Majority of the early Manila Cathedral feature were drawn by local sketchers and international painters. Some of which are still around collected in different local archives like the one by Intramuros Administration, National Archives , National Library, Ortigas Library Foundation and foreign archives like those in Spain, Mexico, France and some early deltiologist (postcard collector).

Manila Cathedral circa between 1908 to 1910 with stamp in front and cancellation mark- the one on the right side was the Palacio del Gobernador ruins– the main square in front used to be called Plaza Mayor or Plaza Mckinley before it was renamed to Plaza Roma in 1961.

There are flame trees planted in the plaza towards the end of the 19th century and only the facade and pineapple ornamentation on the right side survived the last world war.

Manila Cathedral Postcard

back portion with handwriting and cancellation mark

Manila Cathedral is considered as mother of all churches in the archipelago. It was separate diocese on February 6, 1579 upon the issuance of papal bull.

The cross on top of the the central dome is a reference point of astronomical longitudes of the archipelago. Also it serves as a point of reference or kilometer zero for distances in the country.

Majority of the postcards printed during the American regime featured the 7th Cathedral architecture which is known as neo-byzantine style which only the main facade survived the last world war.

The present cathedral was a Romanesque revival or neo- Romanesque revival which was rebuilt between 1954 to 1958.

Timbre Corte Vue

This is called timbre cote vue or TVC which was normal way to place a stamp and then the cancel were placed on the face or picture side of a postcard. The message from the sender is also written on the front of this card and it is dated on the back by the sender.

There was a practice in the late 19th century to first quarter of the 20th century for early postcards to have stamps posted in front of the view. the cancellation marks also adds beauty to the front side. Unlike the usual practice among present day postcard collectors ( deltiologists) .

It had a 2 centavos Dr. Jose Rizal stamp with cancellation of January 5, 1910 4:30 pm and the postcard was send from Manila, Philippines to Rhone , France . It is an undivided back. The postcard was printed in Germany.

The recipient was Mr. A Rochet from 22 Rue Longue, Lyon, France

The sender or the postcard seller could be Mr. Jose A. Del Barrio with local address from Manila, Philippines.

Glad to have this postcard for a price of a pizza.

References and Useful Links:

Sources and References:

American Regime Manila Thru Postcards (part 1)

American Regime Manila Thru Postcards (part 2)

American Regime Manila Thru Postcards ( part 3)

American Regime Manila Thru Postcards ( part 4)

Personal interview with postcards collectors

Philippine Postcards.com: https://www.philippinepostcards.com/

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Halal Certified Dishes from Cafe Ilang-Ilang of The Manila Hotel for take away and delivery

Eid al-Fitr is called the “Festival of Breaking the Fast” or Lesser Eid. In neighboring southeast Asian countries, this celebration is known as Hari Raya or Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri in Bahasa Melyu / Bahasa Indonesia.

While Muslims around the world will celebrate the feast of breaking the feast this coming evening May 12 to May 13, 2021. The big event is celebrated through prayer, gifts , lavish feast and giving of alms to the needy people.

I remembered that during the 11th Pan Asian Farmers Exchange Program held few years ago held at the iconic hotel, They serve halal certified dishes and vegetarian meals which suits almost half of the farmers delegates.

Halal Certified Dishes from Cafe Ilang-Ilang, The Manila Hotel

The Manila Hotel is the first Halal certified hotel in the country by the Muslim Mindanao Halal Certification Board. We have a special kitchen dedicated to Halal food preparation. Our Indian and Middle Eastern inspired halal dishes will whet your appetite with authentic dishes that pay homage to its traditional roots. Indulge in our Ramadan Special Halal Home Buffet with dried dates, chick peas hummus, Fatoush mixed salad, roti and naan bread, vegetable biryani, tandoori chicken, lamb rogan josh, vegetable samosa and baklava.

halal certified dishes

“Our Lamb Rogan Josh is a must-try. It’s imported from Australia and it has the spices and sharpness that will surely be enjoyed by everyone. We can also customize the food according to our customer’s request. Say you don’t like chili, we can make it milder. We can tweak a dish to please your palate while still being true to its authentic taste,” says Chef Kiran Singh, our Halal trained chef. 

Celebrate Eid Al Fitr by ordering any of our Halal Home Buffet sets or dishes. The halal selection of dishes available for Takeout and delivery.

Do not forget to call them at their landline 8527-0011 or 0998-9501912. One can also visit their website or social media page to pre-order.

One can pick them us or they can delivery right on your doorstep !

Mother’s Day Tote Bag Special Promo

A limited edition promo which runs from April 27 to May 16,2021 for every single purchase worth Php 2,750 . DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB 117921 Series of 2021.

King Alfonso XIII of Spain Tarjeta Postal

King Alfonso XIII (17 May 1886 – 28 February 1941) was the Spanish monarch who was born in 1886. He was immediately proclaimed king under the regency of Maria Cristina ( his mother). In 1902, on his 16th birthday, he assumed full authority as king until his abdication in 1931.

Tarjeta Postal – Postal Card/ Postcard

King Alfonso XIII postcard commercially used dated January 17,1906 by Pototipia de Hauser V Menet Undivided Back (c. 1901-1907) Madrid

He was the ruler of the country, when Cuba gained their independence, Philippine, Guam, Puerto Rico were sold to the United States of the treaty of Paris in 1898. The remaining islands of Caroline islands ( Islas de Carolinas) formerly part of Spanish East Indies were eventually sold to Germany in 1899 for 25 million pesetas or 17 million golds mark. Spain only remaining colonies are the Spanish Sahara in Northern Africa and some enclaves.

Aside from the decline of Spain as a world power, This was also one of the most turbulent episodes in Spanish history.

back portion of the tarjeta postal – the postcard was send from Spain to England with King Alfonso XIII stamp

Popular Myths Behind King Alfonso XIII coins and stamps

There are coins, banknotes, postage stamps, telegraph stamps and tarjeta postal issued during the Spanish regime in the country which bore his portrait – Almost same design were also issued in Puerto Rico, Guam, Cuba with few minor differences. When the coins were minted in Madrid and issued in Manila for general use, They were not so popular compared to Queen Isabel 2 and King Alfonso XII.

The XIII or number 13 was sometimes considered “unlucky” to those people collecting them. There are some old time collectors who recounted their stories , that some do not even dared to touch the coins due to the fear of getting “unlucky” (malas).

As years passed by, The coins, stamps and ephemera of King Alfonso XIII became popular because a lot of the items were destroyed during the Spanish civil war during the middle part of 1936 to early 1939. Some of the local collection were lost during the last world war, natural calamities, fires and even neglect by their owners.

Some of the coins were eventually remelted down after the war up to the 1980’s for the use in different local silversmith ateliers, altar pieces or reselling them. Those are just some of the contributing of the scarcity of the coin.

There are still some King Alfonso XIII or King Alphonse XIII stamps and postcards that are still affordable for sale in popular online auction sites or local stamp collecting bourse.

It had been more than 1 year since the last local stamp club held their local bourse due to IATF and enhanced community quarantine restriction.

Bought this postcard in an online auction site, few months ago for a price of a fast food burger meal. It was quite rare to find this in local stamp bourse/ auction club meeting.

King Alfonso XIII Abdication and Death

He left Spain voluntarily after the municipal elections of April 1931, which were taken as a plebiscite on abolishing the monarchy. Alfonso XIII renounced his rights to the defunct Spanish throne on June 15, 1941 in favor of Juan. He died of a heart attack in Rome on 28 February of that year. He was buried in Spanish National Church of Santiago and Montserrat (Santa Maria in Monserrato degli Spagnoli) in Rome before his body was repatriated in 1980.

He was re interred in El Escorial in Spain.

Savory Ramen at Ta Ramen Na Kingspoint Branch

Ta Ramen Na recently opened their second branch within Kingspoint subdivision, Novaliches in Quezon City last March 27, 2021. Just in front of Touch of Class car wash and food hub. Some of the proprietors live within the area, Hence, they thought of opening a ramen stall within the community.

Tonkotsu Ramen at Php 99.00

Savory Ramen at Ta Ramen Na

The operation time is from past 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm since it is still modified enhance community quarantine (MECQ) in the national capital region and surrounding provinces. But according to the proprietors, They can extend the operations hours once the quarantine protocols and IATF guidelines have relax.

They opened their first stall few months ago located in 2263 Topacio street, San Andres Bukid and became an instant hit among customers and residents of San Andres Bukid, Manila.

L-R Ms.Zee, Mr. Raf and Mr. Cario ( staff and proprietor of Ta Ramen Na street ramen stall)

The stall is also within walking distance from El Pueblo One condominium, Maloles compound, San Pedro IX subdivision, Kasiyahan Village, Grand Monaco Villas, Dupax compound and Kingspoint subdivision within Barangay Bagbag.

The stall is just between 2 to 3 kilometers from Goodwill Homes1 ,California Subdivision, Doña Faustina Subdivision within Barangay San Bartolome and Sierra Vista and Toress Village within Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon, Novaliches, Quezon City.

The style is more of street ramen style. It takes several hours for their broth to be made, hence incorporating the savory taste and umami flavors.

Ramen and Gyoza

We ordered their Tonkotsu for just Php 99.00 is affordable and the broth elevates the fine taste of their ramen.

They also have Miso Ramen for just Php 109.00, Black Garlic Ramen for just Php 109.00, Tatanmen for Php 199.00, Chicken Butter Ramen for Php 149.00, Red Bomba Ramen for those who loves spicy ramen for just Php 199 and Gyoza for Php 125 ( 6 pieces). additional topping would cost Php 50 chasu pork, black fungus for Php 20, salted seaweed strips Php 20.00 , Hard Boiled Tamago for Php 20 and extra noodles for Php 40.00.

Ta Ramen Na stall in front of Touch of Class car wash and food hub

Among the well-known Filipino celebrities which have eaten at their ramen stall includes comedienne Pooh, freestyle rapper Mr. Mike Kosa and among others.

They also opened their 3rd ramen stall located in Door 8, Console 3 Barangay Fatima Elvinda, San Pedro City within Laguna province just last April 9, 2021 and the ramen stall is open for franchise to those who are interested.

We cannot wait to eat their other ramen noodles and gyoza!

The stall in near Holy Child Academy- Kingspoint branch, CDO foodspere and All Day convenient store.

Ta Ramen Na

Address: number 27 Katipunan Avenue ( just beside ) Kingspoint Subdivision, Barangay Bagbag, Novaliches, Quezon City

Operations: 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm Everyday

New Normal Chinese New Year 2021 Celebration

We arrived early to visit some relatives and friends living in Chinatown,Manila. The new normal Chinese New Year celebration is very much subdue with very little fireworks display, dragon and lion dance is limited only to IATF approve guidelines.

This marks the arrival of 4719 year of the metal ox, since the Chinese lunar calendar was invented.

New Normal Chinese New Year 2021 Celebrations

Unlike the previous Chinese New Year celebration, 2021 celebration is more of close knit with fewer people ever ventured in Chinatown’s Manila and Chinatown in Quezon City.

fewer people came and joined the celebration

People had to wear face mask, face shield, one must observe minimum health protocols, guidelines set by the local government and IATF. This was is stark contrast prior to the coronavirus 2019 lock down in middle of March 2020. Before the pandemic, Business was brisk with hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life would visit Manila and Quezon City Chinatown to celebrate, buy their favorite nian gao, ti ke or tikoy and even dine-in their favorite restaurants.

New Quan Yin Chay Vegetarian restaurant Ongpin street corner Salazar street

The annual parade and other activities were canceled by the Manila City government via executive order no. 4 series of 2021 stating that no dragon dance, street party, stage show, parade or any other similar activity will be held for the celebration of Chinese New Year from February 11 to 12, 2020.

charm store along Ongpin street

We were not able to visit some sites like Buddhist temples and Chinatown Museum located at Lucky Chinatown Mall . There were also fewer ambulant vendors and peddlers along Ongpin street.

Heritage advocates like Mr. Allan Martinez, Ms. Mabelle Tenorio visited the Masuki Noodles along Benavidez St, Binondo and some parts of Manila’s Chinatown later part of the day and enjoyed the noodles.

Masuki mami

We decided to leave to leave the place at around past 11:00 am after shopping and visited Banawe, Quezon City.

Note and special “Thanks” To Mr. Allan Pardilla Martinez for some of the photos posted in this site.

Kung Hei Fat Choi, Gong Xi Fa Chai , Kiong Hee Huat Chay !!!!!