Today in History

July 8, 1951

Held at the Bayview Hotel in Manila, along Dewey Boulevard, the Maria Clara Awards was modeled after the annual American Oscar Awards to recognize the achievements of the local movie industry in the Philippines. This was the pre-cursor to the annual FAMAS Awards (Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences).

National Artist Dr. Alejandro Roces is regarded as the Father of the Maria Clara Awards.

The coveted bronze Maria Clara statuette was scuplted by National Artist and UP professor, Guillermo E. Tolentino. 

The best picture that year was Kamay ni Satanas, starring Leila Morena, Reynaldo Dante & Nena Cardenas. It was directed by Gerardo de Leon.

In 1917

1917

Also known as the Agusan Image was discovered in 1917 on the banks Wawa River near Esperanza, Agusan del Sur in Mindanao. It stands 7 inches in height (178 mm) and weighs 4.4 lb (2 kg). It is believed to be from the 9th to 10th century.

Scholars disagree on the identify, origins, religion of the statue.

It is now in the possession of the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, USA.

Upcoming

July 9, 1683

Philip V (the Spirited) (Spanish: Felipe V) was King of Spain from 1700 to 1746.

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July 10, 1934

Election of the delegates of the 1934 Philippine Constitutional Convention was held on July 10, 1934.  The convention drafted the Philippine Commonwealth Constitution of 1935 in accordance with...

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July 13, 1924

Dr. Alejandro "Anding" Roces was a writer, journalist, dramatist, educator and a National Artist for Literature. With his own literary works he has received numerous awards. He was also a Secretary o...

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