Aurura Aragon Quezon was the wife of Manuel Quezon, President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines (1935 -1944). During her husband’s political life she involved herself with women’s organizations such as the National Federation of Women’s Clubs, of which she was honorary chairman. In 1942, following the Japanese invasion, she accompanied her husband to the United States.
Manuel L. Quezon died of tuberculosis in New York state, on August 1, 1944. Mrs. Quezon moved to California where she and her daughters volunteered as nurses in the Red Cross. She returned to the Philippines in 1945, and until her death in 1949, was deeply involved in civic affairs, becoming the first Chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross in 1947.
The Province of Aurora's website provides this description of Mrs. Quezon's tragic death:
The Province of Aurora was named in honour of Aurora Quezon.On April 28,1949 as she was on her way to inaugurate the Quezon Memorial Hospital in her home town of Baler, Aurora Quezon, her eldest daughter Maria Aurora, son-in-law Felipe Buencamino III, Quezon City Mayor Ponciano Bernardo and several others were ambushed and killed by renegade members of the Hukbalahap, in Bongabong, Nueva Ecija.
Aurora Quezon Fruit Trees Memorial Postage Stamps
The Stamps
A set of two Memorial Stamps was issued on August 19, 1952.
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First Day of Issue Cachet
First Day Covers
Aurora Quezon at Philippines Philatelic Club 1947
Mrs. Quezon was the guest of honour at the Philippines Philatelic Club (PPC) Ladies Day luncheon held at Carbungco's Restaurant on Sunday, October 19, 1947.
To mark the occasion, the PPC requested that the Bureau of Posts use a special cancellation.
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| Manila, October 19, 1947 |
Souvenir covers with printed cachets were presented as souvenirs to those in attendance which Mrs. Quezon kindly autographed.
Flowers Provided By Arnold Warren
PPC member Arnold Warren brought flowers for all the ladies who attended the luncheon including a corsage of white orchids for Mrs. Quezon which he describes in a letter dated December 16, 1958.
The card shown below was Mr. Warren's 1958 Christmas gift to Mr. Theodore Sheldon.
ADDENDUM
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 450 AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND ISSUE OF POSTAGE STAMPS BEARING THE PICTURE
OF AURORA ARAGON QUEZON TO RAISE FUNDS TO BE USED FOR AWARDING PRIZES
IN A NATION-WIDE CAMPAIGN OF PLANTING FRUIT TREES BY PUPILS OF THE
PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Section 1. To raise funds
for the rehabilitation of our denuded fruit tree orchards and yards all
over the Philippines which will perpetuate the memory of Aurora Aragon
Quezon, the Director of Posts, subject to the approval of the Department
Head, is hereby authorized to order the printing and issue, for five
years from the date of the approval of this Act, of postage stamps of
different denominations, with face value showing the regular postage
charge and the additional amount to be fixed by the said Director
destined for the purpose for which issued.
Section 2. These
postage stamps shall bear the picture of Aurora Aragon Quezon, and shall
carry the inscription, “Aurora Aragon Quezon Fruit Trees Memorial.”
Section
3. The additional sum realized from the sale of these postage stamps
shall be deposited with the National Treasurer to be disbursed by the
Secretary of Education as yearly prizes to school children in the public
elementary schools all over the Philippines who have planted, cared
for, and produced the best fruit trees at the end of each school year.
The
Secretary of Education shall issue the necessary rules and regulations
for carrying out the purposes of this Act, including rules governing the
organization of committees in the different municipalities which shall
take charge of the campaign of planting fruit trees in their respective
municipalities, the determination of the different prizes to be awarded
under this Act, and the kind and number of trees to be planted by each
pupil to be entitled to such prizes.
Section 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Approved, June 8, 1950.
