Philpost launches MetroBank ‘s 50th anniversary stamp

Philippine Postal Corporation, Main Lobby, Ermita, Manila –Philippines

tarpaulin poster of Metro Bank’s 50th anniversary stamp launching at the Philippine Postal Corporation, compound in Liwasang Bonifacio , Manila

It was earlier this year, when I heard news about the on-going proposal for the issuance of the Metro Bank ‘s company’s golden anniversary commemorative stamp through the Philippine Postal Corporation ( Philpost ) . Mrs. Elenita San Diego (Philatelic and Postage Department head) and Mr. Reynaldo Ong de Jesus (member of the stamp advisory committee) then invited me as a guest during one of the stamp advisory meeting consultation.

tarpaulin poster of the commemorative stamp launching were hung in the pillars of the Manila Central Post Office

Although it was not my first time to attend such advisory meetings . As a philatelist (stamp collector),  being invited in such a meeting is always been a privilege and an honor to meet the current stamp advisory board led by the enigmatic Postmaster General Maria Josefina Dela Cruz and board members of the stamp advisory committee.

Metro Bank’s commemorative stamps before the unveiling ceremony covered with blue cloth

Everyone is doing their job since there are various representatives from different government agencies like National Commission for the Culture and the Arts, National Historical Commission of the Philippines for historical validation, representative from stamp collecting clubs and other important people who can share their talent, wisdom and knowledge in the stamp design, marketing and public awareness.

Metro Bank’s Foundation board of directors and Metro Bank officials together with Mrs. Maria Josefina Dela Cruz ( Postmaster General ) at the lobby of the Philippine Postal Corporation

L-R Metrobank Foundation president -Aniceto Sobrepeña (2005) , Postmaster General Mrs. Maria Josefina Dela Cruz , Mayor Alfredo S. Lim ( Manila ) and  Dr. George S.K. Ty  ( Metro Bank Group chairperson)

L-R Dr. Serena Diokno (chairperson – National Historical Commission of the the Philippines ) , Mr. Ceasar N. Sarino ( Philpost chairman and Postal Bank president ), Hon. Alfredo S. Lim (Mayor of Manila ), Mrs. Maria Josefina Dela Cruz (Postmaster General and CEO ), Dr. George S.K. Ty (Metro Bank’s group chairman ) Dr. Antonio S. Abacan, Jr. ( Metrobank group vice-chairman ) , Mr. Francisco C. Sabastian ( Metrobank vice- chairman and board of director ) , Mr. Fabian S. Dee ( Metrobank’s president ) and  Mr. Alfred  V. Ty ( president Federal Land Inc. ) partly hidden

History :

 Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank) founded in September 5, 1962 , has since become the premier universal bank and among the foremost financial institutions in the Philippines.  It offers a full range of banking and other financial products and services, including corporate, commercial and consumer banking, as well as credit card, remittances, leasing, investment banking and trust banking.  Metrobank currently spans a consolidated network of over 1,400 ATMs nationwide; over 760 domestic branches; and 38 foreign branches, subsidiaries, and representative offices.

The stamp collection traces back the roots and beginnings of Metrobank and into becoming the largest and premiere financial conglomerates today.

Mr. Fabian Dee

“It is only rightful that we remember Metrobank’s journey as something personal to many of us who stood witness to how it all started . We dedicate these commemorative stamps to our stakeholders and the public , to whom we owe much the success of the institution ” expressed  Metrobank president Mr. Fabian Dee in his acceptance message .

Honorable Alfredo S. Lim

Metro Bank Foundation Incorporated :

Mr. George S. K. Ty  established on January 8, 1979 , sixteen (16) years after he founded the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company, the Metrobank Foundation is engaged in social development projects in the Philippines and other parts of Asia.  As the corporate social responsibility arm of the Metrobank Group, the Foundation implements various programs in education, visual arts and healthcare. It also maintains an active and dynamic partnership with other organizations that likewise provide services for the disadvantaged. Among the Foundation’s flagship programs are the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence (MADE), Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT), College Scholarship Program (CSP), Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge (MMC), The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS), and Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS). It also supports programs aimed at educating the citizenry on public-interest issues through research and lectures given by the distinguished holders of the Metrobank Foundation Professorial Lecture established by the Foundation in partnership with reputable educational institutions.

Postmaster General Mrs. Maria  Josefina Dela Cruz and Dr. George S.K. Ty (Metro Bank’s group -chairperson , during the autograph signing ceremonies at the Philpost main lobby , the First Day Cover will be kept at the Philippine Postal Museum and Library for posterity and archives of the event

Golden Anniversary Highlights:

First Day of Cover with 50th Anniversary of Metro Bank commemorative block of 4 stamps

One of the highlights of its 50^th anniversary celebration this year, the Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company ( Metrobank) unveiled to the public a collection of 4 commemorative stamps that chronicles the milestones in the bank’s history as symbolized by four significant structure built by the institution.

stamp advisory committee members, Philippine Philatelic Federation  headed by Mr. Robert Tan pose for a souvenir shots together with distinguished board members of Philpost and Metro Bank group of company

A sumptuous late morning meal was hosted by the Metrobank Foundation and Metrobank group of company 

stamp is from philpost website

Technical Description: Metrobank, 50^th Anniversary

Kind of Issue: Commemorative

Denominations and Quantity: Php 7.00   / 140,000 pieces

Date of Issue: August 29, 2012

Last date of Sale: August 28, 2013 (as stocks allow)

Sheet Composition: 40

Size: 30 mm x 40 mm

Perforation: 14

Printing Litho offset (4 colors)

Paper: Imported Unwatermarked

Printer: Amstar Company, Inc.

Lay out Artist: Victorino Serevo

Design Coordinators: Metrobank Foundation, Inc. & Mrs.  Elenita San Diego

Designs: Provided by Metrobank

Stamp 1:  Wellington Building -Binondo Branch, 1963

Stamp 2: Metrobank Plaza, Senator Gil Puyat , Makati City 1977

Stamp 3: GT Tower, 217 meters ( 3rd tallest building in the country ) 2004

Stamp 4: Metrobank Plaza, Shanghai,

People’s Republic of China, 2007

Note: I would like to thank, Philpost , Metro Bank Foundation and  Metro Bank group of company for the invitation to the event.  Maraming Maraming Salamat po ! This is a heart breaking experience as this would be the last stamp launching to be held within the Philpost building compound before the conversion into a hotel .

Please visit the links for more information:

Federal Land Incorporated : http://www.federalland.com.ph/

Metro Bank and Trust Company : http://www.metrobank.com.ph/

Metro Bank Foundation : http://www.mbfoundation.org.ph/

Philippine Postal Corporation: http://www.phlpost.gov.ph/web/metrobank-50th-anniversary-commemorative-stamp/

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