Summer Blooms of Dendrobium aphyllum 2021

Summer season or dry season in western part of the country was officially declared by the weather bureau. It is when day time temperature would reach between 33 to 36 degrees Celsius or more.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in a statement on Friday March 26, 2021 that the “gradual shift of wind direction from northeasterly to easterly over most parts of the country” signified the end of the northeast monsoon.

Dendrobium aphyllum aka fairy, dainty, lesser sanggumay grown on a palm for almost 7 years

Summer Blooms of Dendrobium aphyllum

Dendrobium aphyllum locally known as dainty sanggumay, fairy sanggumay, lesser sanggumay, sanggumay, salome, latigo among others blooming season. It was incorrectly called Dendrobium pierardii or Dendrobium cucullatum for a long time by orchid hobbyists.

This is one of the most common Dendrobium orchid species that is found in many parts of the country. The orchid species can be naturalize in fruits trees like duhat, mango, lansones, macopa, jackfruit, guava, coconut and Manila palms.

Since it rained a few times during its rest period from mid-November 2020 to early part of February 2021. Only a handful of inflorescence were form.

This Dendrobium aphyllum specimen orchid was given to the author last March 1, 2014 at an eyeball of Pinoy Coke Fanatics.

This orchid species is quite hardy and can survive lowland hot and humid condition. This orchid species can be found growing up to about 1,800 meters altitude. The blooming season is during the onset of the dry season in western part of the country up to late May or early June in some parts of the country.

Water and Fertilization

We would alternate slow release fertilizer sewn unto a small cloth, Usually between 20 to 50 pieces depending on size of the orchid plant. The larger the specimen plant, the more slow release fertilizer are included. We normally use 30N-30P-30K then alternately use water soluble fertilizers 10N-30P-30K at weakly weekly solution 1/4 to 1/2 the recommended dosage.

Aside from application of small amount of calcium, magnesium and trace elements at least twice a month during the growing season. We start putting small pack of slow release fertilizer 1 to 2 weeks after the orchid plant had bloomed. This process will be repeated at least two to three time during the growing period of Dendrobium aphyllum.

During the transition from wet (rainy season ) and dry ( summer season) which is usually around middle of September. We would change the fertilizer solution from 30N-30P-30K to 10N-30P-30K, to help prepare the orchid for the blooming season. The slow release fertilizer can last up to 3 months in which watering and feeding the orchid is much reduce.

Fertilization and watering should be minimized or reduce in the hemisphere which also starts the autumn or winter season in the northern hemisphere.

With proper care and applying fertilization techniques, Once can be assured that this orchid species can be a garden centerpiece.

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Nostalgia Behind Sesame Street’s 50th Anniversary Commemorative Stamps and Covers

Sesame street is a children television program which marked their 50th anniversary with the launching of commemorative stamps, first day covers as part of their golden anniversary.

Sesame street debuted on November 10, 1969 in the United States and in approximately 115 countries. There were 16 sesame street muppets which were featured in the sheetlet or pane which is still being retailed for $17.49 in Amazon online site and $7.51 shipping cost in any parts of the United States.

This was sold at a slightly cheaper rate by the United States Postal Service. Each self-adhesive non-denominated (55¢) stamp in the Sesame Street set highlights one prominent Muppet character from the show, with a photographic portrait against a white background during the launching way back in June 22, 2019.

Mr. Jim Henson and the Muppets commemorative pane of 11 37¢ stamps (Scott 3944) released in 2005, featuring many characters made famous on The Muppet Show which ran from 1976 to 1981. issued in 2005 feature 10 characters.

50th Anniversary of Sesame Street

The 50th anniversary of the sesame street stamp pane ( sheetlet) featured the well- loved characters of Big Bird, Ernie, Bert, Cookie Monster, Rosita, The Count, Oscar the Grouch, Abby Cadabby, Herry Moster, Julia, Guy Smiley, Snuffleupagus, Elmo, Telly, Grover, & Zoe. There were 62 million stamps printed or 3,875,000 per design.

Art director Derry Noyes designed the stamps. Arranged in horizontal rows, the stamps showcase 16 of the characters that appear on Sesame Street. Images of nine of the characters appear on the right side of the pane underneath the iconic Sesame Street sign. The back of the pane displays the Sesame Street 50th anniversary artwork.

first day cover

Sesame street was shown for several years in GMA channel 7. In the recent years, re-runs are still shown in different cable, HBO, youtube channel still capture the imagination and adding educational awareness among children.

There are 16 first day covers ( an envelope with cache design, post mark and a stamp which feature a sesame street characters.

I lost no time to contact my cousin based in the United States to pre-order and glad that he was able buy some sesame street first day cover and sheetlets va USPS. It took almost 2 years before i got to see the actual stamps and fdc of sesame street. Maraming Salamat po !

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through The Postal Store or by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724), by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations in the United States.

Do not forget to visit the website for more information.

Savoring Down Street Wheels Pares N Bone Marrow

Down Street Wheels Pares and Bone Marrow restaurant is located along King Henry corner Katipunan Avenue within Kingspoint Subdivision, Barangay Bagbag in Novaliches , Quezon City .

beef mami, sizzling pork plate with rice, beef pares with rice and bubble milk tea

Pares Bone Marrow

The restaurant specializes on bone marrow, mami ,pares meals, sizzling plate opened to the general public last December 23, 2020 and sometimes called DS Pares N Bonemarrow .

Amritsari Biryani, Chedy’s Budbod restaurant and Down Street Wheels Pares

This portion of the street becomes alive during late afternoon in which customers within Kingspoint subdivision and nearby areas would buy their food. Along with Chedy’s Budbod restaurant, Armitsari Biryani Kebab Food . One can choose different array of meals that these restaurants offer.

large signage and menu board will greet customers of the restaurant

The sitting capacity of the place ranges between 15 to 20 at any given time, given the rules set up by the IATF and coronavirus 2019 guidelines set for social distancing.

Down Street Wheels Pares N Bonemarrow

special beef tendon mami are best paired with condiments mixture from calamansi, chili paste, soy sauce, grounded pepper and vinegar. ( Php 69.00 ) per order.

sizzling pork lechon kawali with rice ( Php 79)

The stall usually opens past 3 :00 pm or 4:00 pm during the first few months of their operations and some clienteles from nearby subdivisions like San Pedro IX subdivision, Goodwill Homes 1, Kasiyahan Village , Grand Monaco Villas and El Pueblo condominium are clamoring for earlier opening time.

beef tendon pares are best paired with their fried garlic rice and soup ( Php 89) per order

Our group chance upon a 3 day promo from February 27 to March 1, 2021 had a BUY 1 Take 1 Promo of the large size bubble milk teas. We ordered Winter Melon Tea ( medium) for Php 55.00, Taro ( medium ) for Php 55, While Rabbit (medium) for Php 55.00 and cucumber honey lemon with chia seeds ( medium) for Php 70.00 per order.

It is also good that they can adjust the sweetness of their milk teas, One can adjust the level of the sugar syrup from 10% or more.

over a dozen different kinds of bubble milk teas can be ordered

Mr. Val Valencia and Mr. Alfred Martin

Overall, we cannot wait to come back and taste their different kinds of tea and their sizzling bone marrow.

Note: The author is not affiliated with the restaurant proprietors and all prices quoted are during the time of the visit.

Down Street Bone Marrow Pares

Operations : Tuesday to Sunday from 3:00pm to 10:00 pm

Address: Unit D-Lot 2, Block 37 , #60 King Henry street corner Katipunan Avenue, Kingspoint Subdivision, Barangay Bagbag, Novaliches, Quezon City

Delivery : 0916-2090508 Landline : 452-9943

China Bank Centennial Stamp and First Day Cover Issuance

China Bank celebrates their 100th anniversary as a banking corporation last August 14, 2020. However, due to the long enhance community quarantine restriction and social distancing protocols set -up by the government to minimized the covid 2019 spread. The issuance was further delayed for several months until early part of January 2021.

China Bank se-tenant pair of stamps denomination of Php 12.00

China Bank 100th Anniversary Issuance

Over the past several months, an infamous website known to many philatelists and those seeking new information was spotted with new post with photos of the China Bank stamp issuance. The first day cover (a postal envelope with cancellation mark) had a cancellation postmark dated August 16, 2020 was also spotted by a lot of keen- eyed internet savy people, which included the author and at least several thousands of netizens who usually get their freshest information of the release of new stamps, first day cover and even juicy gossips behind errors.

first day cover with ante-dated cancellation mark

This had raised a few eyebrows with regards to the website being so updated to the point that it had a list of possible stamp issuance up until first quarter of 2021 posted even during the last quarter of 2020.

It was later explained by a stamp advisory representative and a couple of philpost employees ( who refuses to be identified) that China Bank officials requested to have the postmark antedated to reflect the real date of their centennial celebration.

Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPOST) especially those working in giving out vital information issuance of Philatelic Bulletin must try to stepped up and release this on time for the benefit of the general public.

The postal cancellation marks had the company slogan ” Celebrating the past, Embracing the Future“.

Technical Description

China Bank – 100 Years Founding Anniversary

Type of Issuance: Commemorative

Printing Company : Amstar Printing Company

Stamp Size: 30mm by 40mm

Perforation : 14

Se-tenant Pairs -sheet of 40

Quantities: 30,000 pieces ( 2 design)

First Day Cover: 2,400 pieces

Designer: Ms. Irma Jane C. Junio -PHLPOST in house layout artist and designer

Denominations : Php 12.00 with China Bank Building, Juan Luna street, Binondo, Manila and Php 12.00 China Bank logo. ( provided by the bank)

First Day Cover postmark cancellation : Manila