A Bit of Philippines History
FilamCoins
Posts: 1,900 ✭✭✭
After nearly 20 years of running the Philippines as a virtual dictatorship, during which time he stole billions of dollars and presided over numerous human rights abuses, Ferdinand Marcos came under pressure from his own people and the United States to hold elections. Although Marcos presumably "won" the election against Corazon Aquino, the process was marred by violence and corruption and protests soon began. In February of 1986, two of Marcos' key leaders, Minister of Defense Juan Ponce Enrile and Lt. General Fidel Ramos, claimed the elections to be fradulent, barricaded themselves in two military camps, and demanded that Marcos step down. These actions were supported by the powerful Catholic Church of the Philippines. Hundreds of thousands of peope took to the streets in protest, and after a few days of largely peaceful demonstrations, Marcos was forced to step down. He was flown to Hawaii on a U.S. military aircraft where he spent the rest of his days. Corzon Aquino was sworn in as President on February 25, 1986 at the height of the People Power revolution. The following coin commemorates a meeting later that year between Aquino and then U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
1986 Philippines 2,500 Piso 0.24 oz agw Mintage 250 PF66 DC
Corazon Aquino presided over the country for the next five years. She had a challenging presidency, but the country generally made progress in political and economic matters. Although she was eligible to run for another term, she backed former Lt. General Fidel Ramos for the Presidency, which he ended up winning. During her time in public office, she was nominated for the Noble Peace Prize and was awarded Time Women of the Year and the United Nations Silver Medal, among other achievements. The following coin commenmorates the 6th year anniversary of the People Power Revolution. At 10,000 Pisos, it is the largest coin denomination ever minted for the country.
1992 Philippines 10,000 Piso 0.925 oz agw Mintage 1,600 PF66 DC
Though the Philippines still has pockets of poverty, corruption and political and religious instability, the country has made great progress during the past 20 years in establishing a democratic process and growing the middle class. The literacy rate is now well over 90%, life expectancy is around 72 years old, and the economy is growing at an annual rate of about 6%.
1986 Philippines 2,500 Piso 0.24 oz agw Mintage 250 PF66 DC
Corazon Aquino presided over the country for the next five years. She had a challenging presidency, but the country generally made progress in political and economic matters. Although she was eligible to run for another term, she backed former Lt. General Fidel Ramos for the Presidency, which he ended up winning. During her time in public office, she was nominated for the Noble Peace Prize and was awarded Time Women of the Year and the United Nations Silver Medal, among other achievements. The following coin commenmorates the 6th year anniversary of the People Power Revolution. At 10,000 Pisos, it is the largest coin denomination ever minted for the country.
1992 Philippines 10,000 Piso 0.925 oz agw Mintage 1,600 PF66 DC
Though the Philippines still has pockets of poverty, corruption and political and religious instability, the country has made great progress during the past 20 years in establishing a democratic process and growing the middle class. The literacy rate is now well over 90%, life expectancy is around 72 years old, and the economy is growing at an annual rate of about 6%.
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myEbay
DPOTD 3
<< <i>After nearly 20 years of running the Philippines as a virtual dictatorship, during which time he stole billions of dollars and presided over numerous human rights abuses, Ferdinand Marcos ... ...was flown to Hawaii on a U.S. military aircraft where he spent the rest of his days. >>
Oh, yeah - that's fair
Nice coins, Filam. Thank you for the interesting historic tidbits, as well
8 Reales Madness Collection
Last time I came back from there, while connecting through the International terminal at Manila, I had a sizeable, though thoroughly legal, cache of US-PI coins that I picked up from the canvassers in Iloilo City. I stood mute for about 3 minutes, while the "inspector" stood mute expecting me to bribe him. Twice in that 3 minute period, he asked what I intended to do with those coins, to which I replied "keep some, sell some", both times. He'd look up and stare at my face a few seconds, then look back down to the coins, then look up at me again and just stare. I am not exagerating the time, since it was at least 3 solid minutes of this until he figured out that I was NOT going to bribe him. Either that, or he figured I was too stupid to figure out what he wanted.
And they are on their best behaviour with me. When my wife travels through that airport, they make no bones about it. They flat out tell her it is going to cost her if she needs something, but they don't do that when we travel together. I guess they figure I look too PO'd after the 16 hour flight from LAX.
I hope it gets better, but I have my doubts. Even so, I love the selected honorable individuals, family and friends I have there, and I am so looking forward to my retirement there.
I stood my ground and demanded to speak with the guard's boss and when he continued the shake down, the boss' boss. And finally I found an honest person in the system who looked at the coins and said "This is not what that law is for" -- and waved me to go on through. Whew.
Another case: A friend of mine bought a condo there, paid for it in full and was waiting for the deed. And he kept on waiting. Didn't get it and started to dig. It finally came out that the builder had taken the money for the deed, and then walked the deed over to a bank and borrowed against a property that he didn't own. An open-and-shut criminal case. But 11 years later, he still hasn't gotten his deed because the builder he's up against is well known in the Philippines and has bought several judges.
It's stuff like this that holds the Philippines back, holds the people down, and prevents people (like me) from investing (and living) there. It's a shame.
And thank you, Mr. Filam, for that great post that started this thread. Sorry but I got off on a tangent. And I have something to pm you about.
Just Having Fun,
Coin's for sale/trade.
Tom Pilitowski
US Rare Coin Investments
800-624-1870