The Philippine Numismatic And Antiquarian Society: “A Lost Legacy?”

By CoinLink on Sunday, April 27, 2008
Filed Under: Clubs & Associations, Commentary and Opinion

Article from the Filipino Numismatist website with no notation as to its Author.

Recently, I was surprised to know that the Philippine Numismatic and Antiquarian Society, (Founded on March 16, 1929 and One of the oldest Numismatic Clubs in the World
) is bombarded with political controversy. Two factions emerged, a newly set of elected officers facilitated the establishment of a new governance mostly composed of younger members while the other faction, the incumbent officers, who declined to submit to the majority, remained and decided to continue their own version of the organization. So now, there are two Philippine Numismatic and Antiquarian Societies. Both are competing against each other and have concluded their respective auctions both on same set of dates. The incident started when last December, the organization held its annual election. Majority of the officers who won the election elected their pick for presidency. However, the minority of the group did not accept the mandate. Thus, started the creation of two organizations. The first one is headed by Tomas De Guzman, Jr. or “Temboy” as he is known to fellow numismatists. On the other hand, Atty. William Villareal leads the other faction and installed himself as president otherwise.

It’s a disgust to see how greed took over on this once prestigious and respected organization. If Gilbert Perez and other pioneers are here to witness such debacle, they could have scolded these members as if they are just five-year-old kids. It’s a pity how PNAS devolved rather than evolved, since most dealers now control the organization’s interest. Nowadays, online auction such as Ebay became available to local dealers, agents, and collector. The market of coins, ephemera, and other antiquities are big business especially that the market of silver, gold, and other strategic metals is on the rise. Greedy officers in order to protect their interest have manipulated the organization for so many years that they resorted to every corrupt means just to maintain and stay in power. I myself had campaigned for the organization’s reform. But since I have realized that the people whom I trusted my faith with were also dealers who just wanted to replace their competitions and push for their own version of monopoly, I have decided to throw the towel and leave the fight between them inside their own ring. Meanwhile, I can campaign for reform in my own turf, through the Internet.

Foremost, a collector should always remember that these commodities though have achieved and were realized in large sum of money at the auctions facilitated by names such as Sotheby and Christies. Still, it’s not a guarantee that this type of scenarios usually happens. Most of the times, these articles were not even sold nor worst collectors just surrender them to Museums either out of frustrations or they have just grown tired on keeping these items in excellent conditions. It’s really hard maintaining these pieces because mishandling could lessen or even totally lose its value. For example if you own a coin in mint condition and has a catalogue value have let’s say a $100. In case that you’ve dropped it or if it accidentally accumulated fungus, its value might be greatly reduced to just $10 unless you applied and treat it with the right chemical which can only be bought abroad and might as well has a price tag of $100. Another issue to be considered is the rampant counterfeiting and proliferation of so many fakes in the market. That these fakes are so, so, so good, that you can be easily fooled more than twice. That is why most finds were easily discarded and assumed fakes just to learn that it is being forwarded without certification unless your selling as if selling a piece of pie. So as a collector, it’s already a sacrifice to pay for something and continue buying those things even after so many sad experiences. It’s a lot of guts I tell you. So, organizations such as PNAS should confront more such annoying issues rather than doing more auctions. Education and helping to raise new collectors would keep the organization fresh and competitive. I think its time for the organization to realize that values were set by collectors and not by the catalogs. If nobody is aware that an item is that valuable because none have taught them then who would buy them at such price. Information is vital for collectors, and without collectors there are no successful auction results.

Wake-up PNAS!

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23 Comment(s)

Jojo | May 6, 2008 | Reply

hi, i have Philippine Peso uncut bills in my possession (5, 10. 20), and specimen uncut bills (50, 100, 500, 1000). and i don’t know where to go to sell them. I can’t open the site fipinonumismatists.com.

i need to know how much are they worth. i hope you can help me.
filipinonumismatist | May 14, 2008 | Reply

Hi Jojo!

This is filipinonumismatist.com, I would be more than happy to help you regarding your concern. you could e-mail me at filipinonumismatist@yahoo.com.

Thank you very much.

Perci
George Ursua | Jun 16, 2008 | Reply

Hi. i just have a comment about the PNAS. i think it is about time for a change. i was a mail bidder since 2003 on the net. and there were an incidence were i bid for two auctions ie; september and december 2005 and the then secretary mr. marlon roxas is so incompetence that he combined the shipment for my winning bids of september and december. i never received any of my coins or banknotes. he gave me an incomplete registration number which is untraceable. so good luck PNAS and all the best. george
perci | Jun 26, 2008 | Reply

Hi Mr. George Ursua!

Marlon is currently in hiding right now. Marlon just carted away some valuable collections, cash, and other important PNAS belongings. Nobody from the Board could explain how did that happen and not even one of them had done anything to have the guy apprehended.

We as Philippine-based collectors feel sorry about what had happened. I’ll try to raise this issue in my website and I hope that the Officers of the organization would act soon.

Thank you very much.

Perci
May C. Reloj, C.P.A. | Jun 26, 2008 | Reply

Hi!

I am the PNAS Office Manager and I’d like to know more about the problem of Mr. George Ursua. I had done an audit of PNAS for 2006 and 2007, and as far as records for these two years are concerned, the books are cleared already and whatever liabilities PNAS have had because of the anomalous transactions of Marlon Roxas, everything had been paid for. Mr. George Ursua could e-mail me direct for the details of his claims, as this is for the year 2005. I have no records of such year and I would be needing details, if ever.

Also, it is wrong to say that nothing had been done to apprehend Marlon Roxas. After my audit, a formal demand letter was sent to Marlon to account for the losses and liabilities. If Marlon will not be able to account for such, then PNAS will file a legal case against him.

For other legitimate concerns regarding PNAS, our Secretariat is more than willing to listen. You can e-mail me direct at my e-add.

Thank you.

Ms. May C.Reloj, C.P.A.
PNAS Office Manager
Winston P E Koike | Jul 1, 2008 | Reply

Dear Ms May C. Reloj,

I am sadden to hear of the various issues at the PNAS. I must say that I have been dissapointed with the lack of any form of communication from the PNAS for several years. I have been a member since 1985 when I met with the late Felipe Y. Liao in Singapore.
Now I understand that the society has been too busy with politics to contact the “life members” anymore.

LM-199
Winston P E Koike
May C. Reloj, C.P.A. | Jul 5, 2008 | Reply

Dear Mr. Winston P E Koike,

Much to my efforts of trying to reach out PNAS members, my list is not complete to know everybody. I arrived here after the disapperance of Marlon Roxas, and most records were gone (with him, I suppose). ‘Glad you wrote in this column.

I therefore urge you to communicate with me directly at my e-add, i.e., mayr_pnas@yahoo.com.

I warmly WELCOME you back to our Society.

Our office/Secretariat is located at the 3rd Floor, Villareal Bldg., 1193 Ma. Orosa St., Ermita, Manila 1000, PHILS., telefax no. (632)-5284422.

PNAS members and friends, for any of your legitimate concerns regarding our Club and your membership/affiliation with PNAS, please feel free to get in touch with yours truly and we will talk, even just through e-mail.

Winston, I, too, hate politics.

Sincerely,

May C. Reloj, C.P.A.
PNAS Office Manager
Jim Archibald | Jul 6, 2008 | Reply

I urge all member’s who have any question’s to contact Ms. Reloj, who will make every effort to correct any problem’s you may have. Records from that time were missing due to certain misdeeds created supposedly by this Marlon Roxas. Current problems within the PNAS must be addressed and corrected first before any prosecution can commence regarding this renegade member,however I’ve been assured that Mr’Roxas’ deeds have not been forgiven.
Belma Villanueva | Aug 21, 2008 | Reply

Hi guys!

I have a Philippine-American five centavo-coin the obverse side of which has the texts five centavos filipinas and a figure of a man seated and that of mt. Mayon. The reverse side has the text United States of America 1903 and a figure of an eagle perched on a shield. Could somebody tell me the “name/type” of coin I have and how much it’s worth? Thanks and more power to you all.

Belma
May C. Reloj | Oct 30, 2008 | Reply

Dear PNAS Members:

Greetings!

The Philippine Numismatic and Antiquarian Society will be holding its annual election of Directors for the year 2009.

Scheduled date of election will be on November 29, 2008. Venue is Manila Yacht Club, 2351 Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines.

All members in good standing, local and foreign, are encouraged to exercise their right of suffrage. Your vote is your voice. It’s your Club.

Please get in touch with yours truly for info on election concerns.

My email address is mayr_pnas@yahoo.com, and my celfone number is 0927-4880924. Our Secretariat land line is (632)-5284422.

Thank you.

May C. Reloj, C.P.A.
PNAS Office Manager
abe | Dec 13, 2008 | Reply

hi ms. mary! I am Abraham A. Catiis 16 yrs old from Bulacan, last tuesday I send a membership form and my membership fee to the address that was posted on the PNAS website, your site tells that after having the membreship form and the fee -we must send it to mister marlon roxas at as I remember in the 2nd flr. Floor Center Q.C. I havent recieve any letter, email or text that should tell if I am already a member. Hoping that you would act.. thanks! ABE. here is my email…abe.ambrocio@yahoo.com
Nekie b. Macalolooy | Mar 6, 2009 | Reply

Hello, I don’t know if im on the right page to write this but I just started my coin collection just last year wih my co-worker. Before i never knew the value of all these old coins starting from 1909 and some of the bills that i have which i have a japanese government money which was only used here in the philippines.I had many of those before when i was little and never knew it would be as important as now. I am wanting to join to an organization which helps preserved our heritage… If you could suggest me an association where i can become a member…thank you!

Truly yours,

Nekie B. Macalolooy
May C. Reloj, C.P.A. | Jun 23, 2009 | Reply

Dear Co-PNAS Members:

I have resigned as the PNAS Office Manager last November, 2008.

Politics inside the organization is so dirty.

I will remain as a foreign life member, and will exercise my rights as such.

I have joined another international organization, helping the poor and needy.

Thank you.

May
Dominic Albert | Jul 1, 2009 | Reply

You resigned? That is not what I heard first hand from the people in Manila when I was there last November/December when it all went down
jimmy dee | Sep 24, 2009 | Reply

now who is in charge?. where can we contact them?. is the club still exist?. please reply immediately. thanks.
Kai | Oct 30, 2009 | Reply

Hi Jim
Join the banknote society.
Last i heard, there are already three PNAS. I left in July 2008 together with my friend Dominic because of all the politics. I am currently no member of any coin collecting association, but i am still collecting. But its less fun without the club.
As to May Reloj, she did not resign, she was fired!
May C.Reloj, CPA | Mar 26, 2010 | Reply

Hi, Kai!

It’s nice of you to comment like that, thank you!

What do you know of PNAS and the people inside PNAS?

For all I know, you were a previous PNAS member in bad standing. You had not been paying your membership dues, and this I discovered when I audited PNAS. You were forced to resign as a member because you need to, having no more face for taking advantage of the privileges due to members in good standing.

PNAS is still PNAS. It’s just that I hate politics.

Thanks again, Mr. Kai.

May C. Reloj, CPA
Joe Orlando | Jun 17, 2010 | Reply

Hi,
I was a member of PNAS from 1974 to 1977 while stationed at Clark AB. It was very enjoyable at that time.
I have three medals issued by the society for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd national convention. Can you tell me if there is a market for these beautiful medals?
Thank You
kenneth pacheco | Jun 29, 2010 | Reply

what a life! such a waste! the history of PNAS all gone to the drain because of all these politics and in-fighting. i’m not a member but seeing the comments posted in here makes me sad to see such turmoil. what a waste….
Jim Sloan | Jul 22, 2010 | Reply

Who is a contact person currently responsible to the PNAS? I would like to correspond with a legitimate representative of this prestigious organization which at one time represented the will of the membership, and promoted the field of Philippine collectibles founded upon a specific History of the Filipino people.

Jim Sloan Life Member 135
steve romano | Apr 17, 2011 | Reply

Hello to coin collectors.During my college days {1980’s}I have the passion to collect Philippine and American rare Silver old coins.One peso Silver Philippine Commonwealth coins dating 1903 to 1912 almost i have a complete set.The same with 50 cents,20 cents,10 cents and 5 centavo Commonwealth coins.Also I have 50 centavo,20 centavo,10 centavo silver coins and one centavo coins year 1944 and 1945.Philippine Spanish Carlos and Isabel coins. un peso one piece only.This bears the face of the young king Carlos 1897,50 cents,20 cents etc..I want to sell some of them.I want to know if how much does it cost… any quotations will be highly appreciated..tnx
Tatsuo Itoh | Apr 27, 2011 | Reply

I had been a member of PNAS from 1973? to 1978. At that time Mr. Conrad Ciriaco was Secretary General and we were very good friends. As years went by,
I lost the truck of Conrad. If you know his address or e-mail, please let him contact me by all means.
I still have some good Philippine coins and I would like to dipose some of them.
With best regards,
Tat Itoh
Ronnie Dulay | Jul 21, 2011 | Reply

Mr. Tatsuo, Conrad Ciriaco passed away some years ago. You can contact Albino Quiban instead. He has a shop along Mabini St. Ermita, Manila.