From Nuffnang

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

This Week in Philippine History and Culture (August 1 to 7)

Aug. 1, 1901: Professional boxer Francisco Guilledo (d. July 14, 1925), popularly known as Pancho Villa, is born in the town of Ilog in Negros Occidental province. In 1994, Villa was poshtumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. According to its website, Villa is considered by many as the greatest fighter in Asian boxing history.


Aug. 1. 1944: Manuel L. Quezon (b. August 19, 1878), the first President of the Philippine Commonwealth, dies in Saranac Lake, New York after many years of suffering from tuberculosis. Quezon's image can be seen in the 20-peso banknote.


Aug, 1, 2009: Corazon Aquino, the first woman President of the Philippines (b. January 25, 1933) passes away in Makati City due to colon cancer. Popularly known by the nickname "Cory," she was the husband of former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., whose assassination in 1983 contributed to the 1986 People Power Revolution. Incumbent president Benigno "Noynoy" S. Aquino III is their son. Cory and Ninoy's image is seen in the 500-peso banknote.


Aug. 2, 1968: A magnitude-7.3 earthquake hits Luzon with the town of Casiguran in Quezon province as epicenter. (The town is now part of Aurora province). Despite the distance from the town, the city of Manila was hit the hardest. This earthquake caused the infamous collapse of the Ruby Tower in that city. More than 270 people were killed, while about 261 were wounded.


Aug. 2, 1980: Actor and film producer Jose Sixto Raphael Gonzalez Dantes, more popularly known by the nickname Dingdong, is born in Quezon City. Dingdong Dantes started his career in show business as a commercial model. His film company, AgostoDos, is named after the Filipino translation of the date of his birth.


Aug. 4, 1987: Footballer Philip James Placer "Phil" Younghusband is born in Ashford, Surrey, England. Phil Younghusband plays as a striker for the United Football League team Loyola Meralco Sparks F.C. and for Azkals, the Philippine national team.


Aug. 5, 2005: Former senator Raul Roco (b. October 26, 1941) dies of prostate cancer. Roco's political career started in 1987 when he was elected as member of the House of Representatives from the Second District of Camarines Sur. From 1992 to 2001, Roco served as senator. He ran for president under his Aksyon Demokratiko in 1998 and 2004. Roco also served as Secretary of Education from 2001 to 2002.


Aug. 6, 1944: Entertainment journalist Lourdes Jimenez Carvajal, better known as Inday Badiday (d. September 26, 2003), is born in Manila. Many colleagues in show business referred to her as "Ate Luds." Inday Badiday was best known as host of the talk shows Nothing but the Truth, See-True, and Eye to Eye.


Aug. 6, 1964: Singer-songwriter and actor Edgardo Jose Martin Santiago Valenciano, popularly known as Gary V., is born in Manila. Valenciano is also dubbed as Mr. Pure Energy. Some of his hit songs include Di Bale Na Lang (Never Mind), Eto Na Naman (Here We Go Again), and Sana Maulit Muli (I Wish It Happens Once More).

He also acted in movies such as Hataw Na! and I Do Bidoo Bidoo: Heto nAPO Sila! Valenciano recently celebrated his thirtieth anniversary in show business on the variety program ASAP 18.


Aug. 6, 2011: Pioneering pediatrician and National Scientist Fe del Mundo (b. November 27, 1911) dies in Quezon City. In 1957, Del Mundo founded he Children's Medical Center, the first pediatric hospital in the Philippines. She was also known for developing an incubator made out of bamboo, intended to help those who live in rural areas without electricity.

Del Mundo was the recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1977. She was conferred the rank and title of National Scientist of the Philippines in 1980.


Aug. 7, 2012: Heavy monsoon rains started to affected the island of Luzon and western Visayas for at least two days starting August 7, 2012. The resulting floods led to suspension of classes and work in many areas. Click here for some pictures of the flood in an area in Bulacan.

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