Uncovering the Story Behind the Rarest Philippine Independence Day Medal: H-324
- sandylichauco
- Oct 13, 2024
- 4 min read
(This article was written for the 4th edition of "PHILIPPINE MEDALS AND TOKENS: 1780-2024" pages 331-333)
The 4th edition of Honeycutt’s book on Philippine Medals and Tokens: 1780-2024 lists more than 25 Independence Day medals, starting with the July 4, 1946 medal designed by G.C. Valdez, listed as H-336, which had already been considered a rare piece to the Independence medal that has become a “crowd favorite,” H-621, which featured the busts of six of the Philippines’ National Heroes. However, one independence medal was coined as the rarest Philippine Independence medal ever issued, and this is it's story.
One of today's more prominent and “important” medal collectors, and one I deeply respect Doc. Blas Bermudez had a Facebook post on a page devoted to Philippine Medal Collectors. I had asked Doc. Bermudez to if it would be possible to reprint what he had written on that Facebook post because of the essence of his message. We were permitted to do so and even use some of his posted images. We felt that we needed to print the post exactly as it was posted three years ago:
Source: “Philippine Medals” Facebook page dated July 17, 2021
While we are on the topic of Philippine Independence Day (ID)medals, have you ever wondered what is the rarest Philippine Independence Day medal? I suspect the rarest medal would be the Oct. 14, 1943, Philippine Independence Day medal. Have you never heard of it?
Let me explain: When the Japanese invaded and occupied the Philippines in 1942 (up to 1945), the invaders wanted to entice the Filipinos to the philosophy of 'Asia for the Asians.' The Japanese called it the Greater Co-Prosperity Sphere. Of course, it was all a psy-op operation for us to cooperate with them, but Filipinos would not fall for that ruse. Out of desperation, Japanese Prime Minister Tojo promised to grant the Philippines 'Independence if Filipinos cooperated. Thus, on October 14, 1943, Japan granted the Philippines independence and installed Jose P. Laurel as Puppet President in an impressive ceremony in front of the old Senate Building. Filipinos were not fooled by this sham Independence. Instead of shouting the words "Mabuhay" and "Banzai" (Long Live) in support as Laurel was being inaugurated as President, Filipinos were heard shouting "Mabuhay ang Bangkay!" (Long Live the Dead) right in the very noses of the Japanese officials as an act of defiance as the same Japanese officials gleefully clapped, never realizing they were mocked at, despised and disrespected by the very same crowd they were trying to fool. Mabuhay ang Bangkay!...remember those words.
Hahaha.... I love how the Filipinos make a joke of everything...even in times of
war. Shown below is the 1943 Independence Day ribbon (the flag shows the red
side on the right, as we were in a state of war) worn by high officials, including
high-ranking Japanese generals and officials, as shown in the attached images in
the pro jap Newspaper’s (The Tribune) account of the ceremonies showing Laurel being sworn to office and Jap officials wearing the medal.
Ever since Doc. Blas wrote his post last July 2021. I’ve been looking for this medal that he described as “probably the rarest Philippines Independence Day medal. The search was long, and after three years, the feeling of finally getting a “unicorn” and the history behind it is something to be talked about and shared with the next generation. This medal has finally taken the place of the xeroxed image of the medal and has become the “plate medal” in the 4th edition of Honeycutt's "Philippine Medals and Tokens: 1780-2024."
The medal has a fascinating design, starting with a wreathed circle that encloses a Filipino carrying a flag and holding up a bolo, which is much in the tradition of our very own Andres
Bonifacio. Behind the man is the rising sun design that we have seen in many old coins and medals that symbolize independence. This circle is embossed in a nipa hut or “bahay kubo,” a predominantly Filipino design with the word “REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.” The nameplate bears the words “Inaugural Ceremonies” and the date “October 1943.” It is interesting to note that the medal is made of silver. However, the one element of the medal that makes it stand out is the Philippine flag, sewn and woven from Manila hemp or “abaca,” another scarce raw material the Japanese had desired when they “conquered” the Philippines. At the end of the flag are ribbons intricately sewn, probably by hand. The medal was designed and made by Crispulo Zamora, as indicated on a badge located at the reverse of the abaca flag.
In my opinion, it is not only the beautiful design of the abaca ribbon woven into a Philippine flag that makes this not only a beautiful medal but an iconic one, given the way Zamora subtly placed a “silent protest” or act of defiance on the ribbon where the blue side was kept on the right side of the flag, signifying still being in a “state of war” despite celebrating a “mockery” of an Independence Day celebration for the Filipinos, which was supposed to be a period of peace. A protest that may have been made by one of the Philippines’ greatest medal creators, given the circumstances of its issuance amidst the shouts of “Mabuhay ang Bangkay” instead of “Mabuhay” and “Banzai.”
Small, subtle details that make medals tell the TRUTH about our history.
(See this article and others in the 4td edition of PHILIPPINE MEDALS AND TOKENS: 1780-2024 now available through our social media pages at:
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