50th Years of Diplomatic ties of Philippines and Singapore on stamps

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) and the Republic of Singapore issued a joint Commemorative Stamps to celebrate the 50th anniversary of both countries friendship and close bilateral ties.

 To symbolize the two nation’s diplomatic relations, the stamps will feature the popular butterflies’ Cethosia luzonica or the “Luzon lacewing butterfly” which represents the Philippines, and Pachllopta aristolochiae or the “common rose butterfly” to embody Singapore.

Around the world, people view the butterfly as representing endurance, change, hope, and life.

The relationships between the two countries for the past five (5) decades remain vibrant, and have grown stronger through the years.

The diplomatic relations were formally established between the Philippines and Singapore on May 16, 1969. The two countries were present during the establishment of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) making them both founding members.

Mr. Chee Wee Kiong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore, Philippine Ambassador Joseph Del Mar Yap, PHLPost Chairman of the Board of Directors Norman Fulgencio, Singapore Post Senior Vice President Marjorie Ooi, IMDA Deputy Director Ruth Wong, and PHLPost Business Lines Department Manager, Maximo Sta. Maria has jointly launched the commemorative stamps of both countries.

PHLPost Chairman Norman Fulgencio and Business Lines Department Manager, Maximo Sta. Maria visited the Lion City to formally presented the Souvenir Frame of the joint commemorative stamps.

PHLPost has printed 5,000 copies of the special commemorative stamps designed by PHLPost In-house graphic artist Rodine C. Teodoro, sold for P114.00 each.

Limited copies of Souvenir sheets and official first day covers of Philippines-Singapore 50 years of Diplomatic relationship are now available at the Philatelic Counter, Manila Central Post Office.

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National Park’s 50th anniversary stamp- First GLOW in the Dark stamp in the Philippines !

Manila Central Post Office , Liwasang Bonifacio, Ermita- Manila , Philippines

The Philippine Postal Corporation issued  a commemorative stamp issue in the history of the Philippine stamp history. The stamp which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the National Parks Development Committee . The stamp was released last December 5, 2013. Unlike the usual stamp  that Philpost  release in the market  .  This stamp is the First “ GLOW in the Dark ” in the Philippines!!!!

Innovation:

space stamp ( 3-D hologram ) issued by Bhutan

This is  significant step toward attracting the younger stamp collectors who often marvel at the stamps issued by other countries . Some  countries have hologram , scented smell, textile fabrics embedded in stamp, gold embossed stamp, glow in the dark, glitters, plastic, 3-D , chocolate  flavored stamp and among others.  Avid Filipino and foreign  stamp collectors and memorabilia collectors would agree that it was a bold step .

The special stamps feature famous Belgian chocolate in its various delicious forms: sprinkles, chocolate, nutella, rough pieces and chocolate bars. This series of five stamps, intended for overseas mail issued for 500,000 pieces.

The technology is not” NEW ” at all, some countries have issued their GLOW in the DARK stamps years and even decades ago , Well at least the Philippines is making a bolder step to entice back  old stamp collectors and even new ones.  Kudos to the Philippine Stamp Advisory Committee members led by the current Postmaster General Maria Josefina Dela Cruz and the rest of the board.

Technology

glow in the stamps comes from a phosphorescent coating which makes it easy to see the stamp under ultraviolet light. The  phosphor compound called the taggant cannot be seen by the naked eye. The luminescent glow can also be fluorescent in nature. The main difference between phosphorescent and fluorescent is in how the glow or light is made visible. The former needs an excitation energy to emit the light while the latter does not. An excitation energy is an energy needed to change something  from a ground state to an excited state. In this case,  the UV light serves that purpose.

Origin :

Glow in the Dark  stamps are undoubtedly beautiful  but there was one compelling reason why the US Post Office Department chose to come up with these stamps during the 1950s. During that time, mail services were being heavily used and there was a need to find a way to sort and postmark mail a lot faster than how they were being done then. All mails used to be sorted by hand which was quite tedious and slow. The solution was provided by a private company through the “stamp glowing” process mentioned above which formed the foundation for tagging.

History:

 The National Parks Development Committed is a government agency that is tasked to oversee national parks in the Philippines.  It was established primarily for the purpose of developing and maintaining national parks specifically The Rizal Park (Luneta), Paco Park, the Pook ni Maria Makiling ( Laguna) and Burnham Park ( Baguio) ,  The NPDC  was established on January 14, 1963 by Executive Order 30 for the development of Quezon Memorial Circle, Luneta and other National Parks.  In 1964, the committee was then designated as the “National Parks Development Committee”.  It was attached to the Department of Tourism in 1987, providing fully developed and well maintained parks for wholesome recreation and socio-cultural education which contributes towards the enrichment of the national identity heritage.

First Day Cover with Luneta Park and Monument of Jose Rizal at the center with Php 20 stamp and cancellation

Design:

Areas of responsibility:  Rizal Park, Paco Park, Pook Olivia de Salamanca, Mabini Shrine, Pook ni Maria Makiling Park, Burnham Park.

Arts and Culture:  The Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal is a living memorial honoring the Philippines’ national hero.  It is lights and sound sculptural tableau of an open-air-theater presentation, featuring a 30-minute dramatization of Rizal’s final hours.

Concert at the Park:  a weekly public service of the NPDC.  It was primarily started to initiate the masses into the appreciation of classical music.  Held every Sunday at Rizal Park.

Ballet at the Park:  a cultural fare at Rizal Park.  The presentation is in cooperation with Ballet Manila which is held every Saturday at 5pm.

Paco Park Presents:  a musical presentation every Friday at 6pm at Paco Park.  The musical is aired nationwide in front of a “live” audience at PTV Channel 4.

Technical Description

Purpose of Issuance: Commemorative

Denomination: Php 20 per stamp

Type of Printing  Process : Litho Offset, Printed with Glow in the Dark Ink then Laminated

Printer: Amstar Printing Company

Singles -Sheets of 40

Perforation : 14

Quantity : Musical Dancing Water Fountain, Rizal Park  – Singles (55,000)

First Day Cover : 400 pieces

Cancellation : Manila

Date of Issuance: December  5, 2013 – December 13, 2014- Until stock allows

Availability : Manila Central Post office ( Philatelic Section )

Note: According to their website – The stamp is available in other major post offices nationwide.

Website:

Philippine Postal Corporation: https://www.phlpost.gov.ph/