MINIATURES

Harry Stonehill In less than two decades of his stay in the Philippines, Harry Stonehill was able to build a business empire reputedly valued at around 50 million US dollars. The 18 corporations he started in the country were pioneering and high-earning business ventures, some of which still exist today. From tobacco to glass manufacturing, to cement production and publishing, Stonehill was an uncanny businessman, never ceasing in his search for new ventures. Reclaiming parts of Manila Bay and turning it into an opulent district was his original idea. Harry Stonehill was turning the country into his business playground when suddenly his luck turned sour. In 1960, he was subjected to a congressional investigation on alleged tax evasion charges. What happened next in the following years was a series of events falling into place, exposing Stonehill's alleged illegal business activities. Allegations of bribery, influence peddling, and economic sabotage surfaced. Known government offici...

Manuel Luna as painted by his brother Juan Luna Manuel -- The Violinist Belonging to the illustrious Luna brothers,  Manuel Luna was first a mariner. He then studied music and the violin to become one of the famous Filipino violinist of the 19th century. Manuel Andres Luna y Novicio was born in Badoc , Ilocos Norte on June 30 1856. The eldest son of Joaquin Luna and Laureana Novicio in a brood of seven.  Manuel studied at the Ateneo Municipal then later to the prestigious " Escuela Nautica" where he and also his brother painter Juan Luna finished their seaman's course. Manuel graduated in his class with  honors and earned the certificate: "Piloto de Altos Mares". Brothers Manuel and Juan Luna worked  in ships that sailed the South Seas. While his brother Juan was interested in art, Manuel spent his free time learning to play the violin . Once back in Manila, he decided to take the instrument seriously studying under Spanish violin pedagogue Prof. Re...

                                                                          José Rizal immortalized the Pasig River more than any other Filipino intellectuals in our history. In his novels,  he mentioned the river many times and even wrote about the legends that abound in it. The climax of the Noli Me Tangere, that chase on Ibarra happened in the Pasig River.  In the 19th Century, great highways were nonexistent. Roads were unpaved, primitive, and unsafe. The trip, Laguna to Manila and vice versa was usually done with small steamboat (barco de vapor), casco, and pituya.  Rizal   gave us a vivid glimpse of that travel in the opening chapter of the El Filibusterismo, where the steamship "Tabo" was navigating the Pasig River.  He wrote about the river communities of the town of Pa...

Every year on January 20, the typically monotonous streets of Barangay Pinagbuhatan in the City of Pasig transform themselves into a vibrant place of merrymaking and festivities. The focal point of the Mardi Gras-like atmosphere in the barangay is always the parish church, as January 20 marks the feast day of its revered patron saint—San Sebastian. "Viva San Sebastian!" At the break of dawn on the said day, brass bands parade the streets, as if calling the people to start the festivities—the traditional early morning rounds called "djana" (or diana to some bands). Now and then, that heroic sound of martial music would be broken by the distant sounds of exploding fireworks. The formal celebration starts with the morning mass officiated by the parish priest. In truth, the building excitement would not be found inside the church where mass is being held but instead outside. In the church grounds, the brewing festivities heat up. People gather outside, young and old ali...