JOSÉ ABAD SANTOS [1886-1942] Chief Justice of Supreme Court
Stamps: A1960E02
Born in San Fernando, Pampanga on February 19. Graduated (1904) from Pampanga High School. Sent as pensionado to the United States, and studied at Santa Clara College, California; Northwestern University, Illinois, for his law degree; and George Washington University for his master's. Worked (1911) for the government as a clerk, court interpreter, and legal counsel to various government corporation. Appointed technical advisser to the first independence mission (1919), Justice Undersecretary (1922), and Justice Secretary (1928). Named (1941) Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and served concurrently as Secretary of Finance, Agriculture, and Commerce. Designated (1942) caretaker of the Commonwealth government when President Manuel L. Quezon went into self-exile in the US. Executed (May 2) at Malabang, Lanao for refusing to cooperate with the Japanese.

DON FEDERICO ISABELO ABAYA [1854-1899] Revolutionary leader.
Stamps: A1997I24
Born in Candon, Ilocos Sur. Enrolled at the Vigan Seminary but left after deciding that priesthood was not his vocation. Became a Candon policeman and then cabeza de barangay. Led (1898) his townspeople in revolt. Served under Gen. Antonio Luna, and commanded Igorot troops until he was mortally wounded (1899) in Malolos, Bulacan by American soldiers.

NICANOR ABELARDO [1893-1934] Musician and composer.
Stamps: A1982H25, A1984C26.3, A1993F01
Born in San Miguel de Mayumo, Bulacan on February 7. Wrote (1901) first composition, a waltz entitled "Ang Unang Buko" (The First Bud). Attended (1902) Quiapo Primary School and learned to play the piano. Hired by Francisco Buencamino to accompany silent films at Cinematografo Filipino and to play in saloons at night. Returned (1907) to hometown to finish sixth grade. Taught (1908) in the barrios. Became (1909) orchestra leader of Cine Majestic on Azcarraga Street, after deciding to reside permanently in Manila. Enrolled at UP Conservatory of Music and won for "U.P. Beloved" as university song. Obtained (1921) teacher's certificate in science and composition. Appointed (1924)vhead of the Conservatory's department of composition. Pursued (1931) advanced studies at Chicago Musical College, and earned his master's degree at National Univesity. Died (March 21) of heart failure, leaving 149 compositions and many unfinished works.

CANDIDO M. AFRICA [1895-1945] Medical scientist
Stamps: A1995F01

Born in Lipa, Batangas on October 02. Graduated from the UP College of Medicine, taught and conducted scientific research to include parasites that cause heart failure and the causes and prevention of malaria. Obtained (1929) doctoral degree in tropical medecine in London. Attended (1930-1931) Harvard University of Medical School and John Hopkins University as a Rockefeller grantee. Included (1938) as an authority on heart disease of the American Men of Science, and Who's Who Among Physicians and Surgeon. Died in Manila on February 12, 1945.

BISHOP GREGORIO AGLIPAY [1860-1940] Founder of Philippine Independent Church.
Stamps: A1977J01

Born in Batac, Ilocos Norte on May 05. Received (1877) A.B. degree from Colegio de San Juan de Letran and studied law at U.S.T.. Entered (1883) the Vigan Seminary. Ordained (1898) a priest in Manila and represented his province in the Malolos Congress. Excommunicated in 1899 while continuing the work for the Filipinization of the Catholic Church. Founded, with Isabelo de los Reyes, the Aglipayan Church and became supreme bishop. Ran (1935) unsuccessfully for the Commonwealth presidency. Married (1939) but died on September 01, 1940.

FELIPE AGONCILLO [1859-1941] Lawyer and cabinet member.
Stamps: A1976B27, A1979K23, A1980F12
Born in Taal Batangas May 26. Finished high school at Ateneo de Municipal de Manila. Obtained (1879) a law degree from U.S.T. and practised in Taal, Batangas. Organized the propaganda office of the revolutionary government in Hong Kong. Sent to Washington to secure recognition of Philippine Independence. Present the independence cause in paris at the American-Spanish peace conference. Rejoined the exiled junta in Hong Kong when the Philippine American War broke out. Elected (1907) Batangas representative to the Philippine Assembly. Named 91923) Secretary of the Interior and fought for the Filipinization of the government service.

FERNANDO AMORSOLO [1892-1972] First National Artist for Painting, 1972.
Stamps: A1967D09, A1992F01, A1997K04

Born in Paco Manila on May 30. Spent the first thirteen years of his youth in Daet, Camarines Norte. Learned (1905) to mix paints and weild the brush from his uncle Fabian de la Rosa in Manila. Studied (1909) at Liceo de Manila art school. Graduated (1914) from the UP School of Fine Arts, taught at UP after his stay at the Academia de San Fernando, Madrid. Became director of the School of Fine Arts until retirement in 1952. Won (1908) second prize for Levendo Periodico at Bazar Escolta. Won (1929) first prize for his Noonday Meal of the Rice Workers at the New York World Fair. His works can be classified as genre peieces, anecdotal paintings, portraiture, paintings of the ravages of war and historicla paintings. Conferred (1972) the first National Artist title after his death in April 24, 1972.

PABLO S. ANTONIO [1901-1975] Pioneer in Modern Philippine Architecture.
Stamps: A2002K14,
Born on January 25, 1901, Young Pablo worked his way through night high school as a draftsman at the Bureau of Public Works. Then he enrolled at the Mapua Institute of Technology where he took up architecture. He became a full-fledged architect in 1927. His major works included the Far Eastern University Administration and Science Buildings (1934-1951) and the Manila Polo Club (1947). Antonio changed the landscape of the City of Manila and other parts of the country with two towering strengths: originality and integrity. He created buildings, houses, and other structures with a common yet uncanny sensibility that had withstood the test of time. He was named National Artist in Architecture in 1974. Died on June 14, 1975.

DR. GALICANO APACIBLE [1884-1949] Physician and Statesman
Stamps: A1977A24,

BENIGNO SIMEON AQUINO, JR. [1932-1983] Murdered Political Leader.
Stamps: A1986H21, S1986H21, A1987A16.2, A1988B14.3
A2002D12,
Born in Concepcion, Tarlac on November 27.Rose quickly in Philippine politics: mayor of Concepcion (1955), vice-governor of Tarlac province (1959), governor (1961), secretary general of the Liberal party (1966), and senator (1967). Arrested and imprisoned (1972) as a communist by Marcos, Sentenced (1977) to death. wne t (1980) to the United States for medical treatment after commutation of his sentence. Assassinated (August 21, 1983) while disembarking a plane upon his return to the Philippines from three years of self-imposed exile in the United States. Massive demonstrations followed which deposed Marcos in 1986 and his widow, Corazon, became president.

DR. SALVADOR Z. ARANETA [1886-1942] nationalist, constitutionalist, statesman, civil servant, lawyer, educator, economist, businessman, industrialist, environmentalist, and philanthropist
Stamps: A2002A31
Dr. Salvador Araneta is remembered as an ardent nationalist, constitutionalist, statesman, civil servant, lawyer, educator, economist, businessman, industrialist, environmentalist, and philanthropist. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1933 and 1971, founder and twice president of PHILCONSA.
Araneta served as Secretary of Economic Coordination under President Quirino, Secretary of Agriculture under President Magsaysay, and as member of the National Economic Council.
As an educator he founded Gregorio Araneta University Foundation, the first private agricultural school after World War II, endowed the university with one sixth of his personal wealth and turned it into a foundation. He also founded FEATI University to train engineers and mechanics for Far Eastern Air Transportation, Inc., the first airline that operated after the war also serving China and San Francisco. Araneta pioneered in the flour industry (RFM Corporation), in soy bean extraction (Republic Soya), in the manufacture of electric motors (Feati Industries), animal feeds (AIA Feed Mills), animal vaccines (AIA Biological Laboratories). He was co-founder of NEPA (National Economic Protectionism Association), PRRM (Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement), and the White Cross, an orphanage.
Araneta, a visionary, dedicated his life to uplift the moral and social values of society and sought property ownership and capitalism for all. These he embodied in a draft constitution (The Bayanikasan Constitution published in 1980 to be adopted in 10 to 20 years.)

CAYETANO ARELLANO [1847-1920] First Filipino Chief Justice.
Stamps: A1959C02, A1963E01, O1963E01, A1972E15
Born in Orion, Bataan on March 02. Entered the Colegio de San Juan de Letran as a working student. Studied at U.S.T. and received his bachelor's degree in philosophy (1862), bachelor's degree in theology (1867), and a law degree (1876). Taught (until 1898) civil law at U.S.T.. Served as magistrate of the Spanish territorial court (1886-91), and Minister of Foreigh Affairs (1898) of the First Republic.

Heroes: B