JESUS BALMORI

Stamps: A1987L28,

FRANCISCO BALAGTAS [1788-1862] Prince of Tagalog Poets
Stamps: A1953C27, A1988H13

Born in Panginay, Bigaa (now Balagtas), Bulacan on April 02. Adopted (1849) the surname Baltazar following Claveria's decree to Hispanize native names. Studies at Colegio de San José and San Juan de Letran. Became friends with poet José de la Cruz who edited his early works. Moved (1835) from Tondo to Pandacan and earned a living by writing waits, corridos, and moro-moros. Wrote Florante at Laura in prison for the love of Maria Asuncion Rivera. Released (1840) and served as the town's head lieutenant, judge of seeded lands, then court translator. Prosecuted (1856) for an old crime and spent the next four years in Bataan's provincial jail and in Bilibid. Died on February 20 in Orion, Bataan.

LT. CESAR FERNANDO BASA [1915-1941] Fighter pilot
Stamps: A1955L12
Born in Isabela, Negros Occidental on June 21. Majored (1939) in chemistry at the Ateneo de Manila and joined the Philippine Army flying school. Joined (1941) his comrades in a dogfight with Japanese pilots bombarding Batangas, was surrounded by seven enemy planes and was shot down on December 12. The airbase in Floridablanca, Pampanga was named for him.

AMBROSIO RIANZARES BAUTISTA [1830-1903] Author of the Declaration of Philippine Independence
Stamps: A1981I15
Born in Biñan, Laguna on December 07. Obtained (1865) a law degree from U.S.T.. Became an officer of La Liga Filipina when it was founded on July 2, 1892. Arreseted during the outbreak of the Revolution, jailed in Fort Santiago, and then availed of general amnesty after Pact of Biak-na-Bato. Named political adviser to Gen. Aguinaldo. Wrote the Declaration of Philippine Independence which he presonally read during the proclamation in Kawit, Cavite on June 12, 1898. Succeeded (1899) Pedro paterno as president of the Revolutionary Congress. Appointed judge of the COurt of First Instance in Pangasinan when the Philippine-American War ended. Died on December 04 after falling off a horse-drawn carriage.

CESAR C. BENGZON Statesman

Stamps: A1996F01, A1995I25.1,

CONDRADO BENITEZ [1889-dnk] Educator
Stamps: A1980B21
Born in Pagsanjan, Laguna on November 26. Graduate (1906) of Normal School, pensionado to the University of Chicago, and law degree holder from UP. Served as first dean of the UP College of Liberal Arts, and the first Filipino to head the Department of Economics. Served as adviser to the first Independence Mission, and became president of José Rizal College. Was a delegate to the first conference of the Institute of Pacific Relations and chaired (1929) the delegation to the Kyoto conference, in Japan. Former president of the Philippine Columbian Association and Alumni Regent of UP. Married to Francisca Tirona, founder and president of PWU.

MANUEL H. BERNABE [1890-1960] Spanish Language Poet
Stamps: A1990F01
Born in Parañaque, Rizal on Febraury 17. Studied (1897) at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila and prusued law at U.S.T.. Wrote for Hugo Salazar's La Democracia. Won (1913) three literary awards. Translated Cecilio Apostol's Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Served as Spanish professor at UP, assemblyman for Rizal, and style corrector in the Senate. Crowned (1950) by U.S.T. as National Poet. Died of conorary thrombosis on November 29.

ANDRES BONIFACIO [1863-1897] Founder of Katipunan
Stamps: A1958K30, A1963K30, A1972K13, A1972I29.1, A1978G10, A1992G27, A1995L22, A1997K30, A1998C24, S1998F033, A1998L15, A1998L15G, A1998L15Y A2003K11.3,
Born in Tondo, Manila November 30. Attended the school of Guillermo Osmeña from Cebu but finished only primary grades. Orphaned at the age of 14. Employed as a clerk-messenger in the British firm Fleming and Co., where he learned English. Worked as an agent for the German firm Fresell and Co. Founded the Katipuna on July 7, 1892 and became its Supremo (Supreme Leader). Gathered (August 23, 1896) his men in Balintawak and tore their cedulas (residence certificates) to symbolize their defiance of Spanish rule. Proclaimed (August 29, 1896) the general uprising at Pugad Lawin. Lost (March 22, 1897) the presidency of the revolutionary government to Aguinaldo at the Tejeros Assembly. Executed (May 10, 1897) by Aguinaldo's men in Mt. Buntis, Maragondon, Cavite for sedition.

FR. JOSÉ A. BURGOS [1837-1872] Martyr
Stamps: A1955D01, O1955D01, A1957L30, A1963C24, O1963C24, A1972D03, A1996L16, A1996L20
Born in Vigan, Ilocos Sur on February 09. Studied at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran but left, unable to enjure many injustices in school. Moved to U.S.T. and obtained doctorates in theology and canon law. Ordained (December 17, 1864) and appointed second curate of Manila Cathedral, church magistrate, and fiscal of Ecclesiastical Court. Opposed (1859) removal of Filipino parish priests to accomodate foreign Jesuits. Wrote with Fathers Mariano Gomes and Jacinto Zamora a manifesto defending the rights of the native clergy and became members of the reform committee of the church. Blamed for the Cavite Mutiny of January 20, 1872 and found guilty of treason. Executed by garrote (strangulation) at Bagumbayan on February 17, 1872. See also Mariano Gomes and Jacinto Zamora.

Heroes: C