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| Bayanihan Collectors Club officers gathered at the Quezon City Sports Club during an auction in the 1980s. Among those present were (L-R) Fred Cantoria, Amado Young, Peping Escaño, Tony Carinan, Carling Martinez, Martin Tan, Melba Cantoria, Guest Speaker, Jorge Delos Santos, Raffy Fermin, and Epi Paras. A moment in history celebrating camaraderie and the passion for collecting. |
Forty-six years ago, on May 24, 1979, the
Bayanihan Coin Club Inc. (later renamed Bayanihan Collectors Club Inc.) was established.
The inaugural meeting took place at the law office of Jorge T. Delos Santos,
located on the 2nd floor of EMA Building on Evangelista Street in Quiapo,
Manila. Twenty collectors attended the meeting, including Epifanio Paras,
Emmanuel Encarnacion, Antonio So, Antonio Ronquillo, Roger Quistol, Ysmael
Inductivo, and Tim Certeza. During the meeting, the aims and purposes of the
new organization were discussed and deliberated upon by the newly elected
officers. The club's primary goal is to promote the hobby of collecting,
particularly among the youth, as a means of fostering appreciation for the arts
and the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Philippines.
In its early stages, the club held its
meetings and auctions at Lourdes High School in Quezon City, where the first
President, Epi Paras, was a teacher and guidance counselor. After a few years,
club activities were hosted at the residence of the late Rogelio de Jesus. As
the club accumulated sufficient funds, it eventually moved to the Quezon City
Sports Club. Over time, auctions were held at Tropical Hut Restaurant and later
at the Ortigas Foundation Library.
The club publishes monographs and
newsletters containing interesting and informative articles and news about
collectibles and the collecting hobby. As part of its educational and cultural
endeavors, exhibitions featuring collectibles related to history, culture, and
the arts have been organized to coincide with the club's international auctions
and significant historical celebrations in the country. Notably, replicas of
members' collections are permanently exhibited at the National Historical
Institute's Museum of Philippine Political History in Luneta, Manila.
Throughout its 46-year history, the
Bayanihan Collectors Club has had several presidents, including Epifanio Paras
† (1979-1984), Raffy Fermin (1984-1987), Atty. Jorge T. delos Santos†
(1987-1990), Antonio So (1990-1991), Fernando Gaite † (1991-1994), Atty. Jose
Escano † (1994-1995), Carlos Martinez † (1995-1997), Ramon Villegas †
(1997-2000), Atty. Jorge T. delos Santos † (2001-2005), Arch. Edward delos
Santos (2006-2009), Arch. Alex Villaflor (2009-2015), Engr. Mike Nicholas
(2015-2018), Bram Hartendorp † (2018-2020), and Arch. Melvin Lam
(2021-Present).
Since its inception, the Bayanihan
Collectors Club has fostered friendly cooperation and harmonious relationships
with other hobby organizations in the country. The club remains dedicated to
upholding this policy in the years to come.
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| A glimpse into the past: Collectors diligently noting bids at a Bayanihan auction. |
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| Everyone is welcome! From kids to newcomers and seasoned collectors, there's a place for you in our club |
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| There are several dealer bourse tables at the auction where you can find unique additions to your collection. |
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| Enthusiastic collectors browse the tables, exploring a variety of collectibles up for auction. |
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| 2025 Officers and Advisers of the Bayanihan Collectors Club |
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