Stamp Collecting – It’s More Fun in the Philippines!

 Manila, Philippines

The Philippine Philatelic Federation in partnership with the  Philippine Postal Corporation together with Chinese Philatelic Club of the Philippines (CPCP),  Cebu Philatelic Society ( CPS), Filipinas Stamp Collectors’ Club ( FSCC) , International Philippine Philatelic Society (IPPS), Quezon Philatelic Society (QPS) , Naga Philatelic Society and other guest stamp clubs from across the country will mount this year’s biggest stamp show  dubbed as PHILPEX 2012 .

Poster of  PHILPEX 2012 National Stamp Exhibition and Competition

   The event will be held from January 24 to February 3, 2012 at the Philippine Postal Corporation main lobby, which will be joined by various stamp organizations all over the country. The stamp will feature our annual exhibit that will comprise of past winning entries of Federation of Inter-Asian Philately (FIAP) International Stamp Exhibition , Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP) and will stage a national competition. Winners of this event will represent the country in various international stamp competitions for 2012 to 2013.

The opening  ceremonies will be on January 24,2012 at 9:30 am in the  Philippine Postal Corporation main lobby within Liwasang Bonifacio, Ermita, Manila

The Theme of the event is “ Knowledge and Fun through Stamp Collecting” which targeted the general public. Stamp collecting can enrich one person’s knowledge through learning their country, history, culture, arts, heritage, nature, and industries among others.

The exhibition will run from January 24 to February 3, 2012 at the lobby of the Philippine Postal Corporation Building in Liwasang Bonifacio 1000 Manila.

In line with this event, a Special FREE Guided Exhibition tour within the site will be conducted by Postal Heritage Tour guru Mr. Lawrence Chan on January 28, 2012 SATURDAY 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and another one from 1:00pm to 3:00pm  for more information and booking for this special tour please contact  :

Email: L_rence_2003@yahoo.com  or  mobile: (0919=3901671)

For more information about the event, please contact the Philippine Philatelic Federation secretary Mrs. Josefina T. Cura at 735-5001 / 0917-9800708.

Media Partners Included: Philpost media website, National Broadcasting Network channel 4, Tulay forthnightly newspaper, People’s Tonight, People’s Journal, UNTV cahnnel 37, sonshine television channel 39, Buy and Sell newspaper among others.

Advertisement

Philippine Postal Corporation goes high tech on their 228th anniversary

poster in front of the Post Office building

lively dance presentation by Philpost employees marked the opening day celebration

Last November 8, 2011 Philippine Postal Corporation marked their 228^th anniversary of the Philippine postal service with the theme “ PHILPOST: Bagong Simula Bagong Sigla”.  “ New Beginning New Vigor ”.It aims to revive the whole postal system thru more efficient way of servicing the public.

crowd listened to the speech of the postmaster

 People from all walks of life, media partners, philatelists, students, philpost employees  attended the opening day celebrations.

The author  and Ms. Jennice T. Guico a student of Ramon Magsaysay High School  being interviewed by Ms. Donita Rose and Mr. Andrei Felix -hosts of Umagang Kay Ganda – a popular morning show of ABS-CBN channel 2

L-R Ms. Ofelia Solis ( teacher) , Author, Ms. Jennice T. Guico, Ms. Susan Frances P. Barredo and Ms. Carol Noces ( teacher ) Ramon Magsaysay High School in Manila together with Mr. Andrei Felix , Umagang Kay Ganda -host

Ms. Jennice Guico a student of Ramon Magsaysay High School still write letters and correspondence to her OFW mother  based in Vietnam , according to her despite the modern technologies like electronic mail services  ” Writing a letter enhanced her writing skills and makes her relationship with her mother more personalized”

biometric data service registration booth

 Biometrics is the technology that Philpost  launched to minimized forgeries of Postal ID’s . With the new system , Philpost can identify a specific human being. It is primarily used to provide security for personal or business assets. A biometrics system must first store a person’s  data. Then, when someone tries to access a personal or business system, the stored biometric data is compared to the data of the person currently accessing the system. If the data matches up, the person can have access to the protected information.

History:

Governor General Basco organized a postal system throughout the archipelago in 1783. First postage stamp was issued on February 1, 1854. It was not until April 2, 1992 that, by virtue of Republic Act 7354, that the postal system became known as the Philippine Postal Corporation or Philpost. Nevertheless, its history predates the independent republic we now know today as the Philippines.

The event also coincided with the “ National Stamp Collecting Month ” which is being celebrated every month of November.

  L-R Mrs. Elizabeth Tungol (APMG Finance ) , Ms. Gemma Cruz- Araneta and Mrs. Elenita San Diego ( Head Manager -Postage and Philatelic Department) pose for a souvenir shot

Philatelic exhibit featuring 2011 stamp issued by Philpost

Ms. Gemma Cruz- Araneta  is  the chairperson of the Heritage Conservation Society , vice- chair of the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission and Executive Assistant to the office of the Mayor in a keynote speech  ” When I won Miss International in 1964 and living in San Juan, people from all parts of the world would write letters and i am amazed with the efficiency of the postal system  , despite lacking complete address , Philpost postman  somehow could locate my exact home address”.

Ms. Gemma Cruz- Araneta was the guest of honor in behalf of Mayor Alfredo Lim

Special guests of honor included Miss International 1964 Ms. Gemma Cruz- Araneta and Ms. Tess Debuque of National Information Officer – United Nations Information Center.

Ms. Tess Debuque and Postmaster Ms. Josie dela Cruz  presented a framed PNOY inaugural stamps to Ms. Gemma Cruz- Araneta as a token of appreciation

One of the highlights of the celebration included the awarding of outstanding postal employees for the current year 2011.

Outstanding Philpost employees together with special guests and Postmaster General Ma. Josefina M. Dela Cruz

The list included Ms. Liliosa D. Bioco (postman II) Postal Region VIII, Tacloban City, Mr. Leonilo T. Gatdula , Jr. ( Heavy Equipment Operator FSMDC, Central Office ) Ms. Diosdada M. Marquez ( Marketing specialist II ) OAPMG for Marketing , Central Office, Mr. Nonito L. Pelobello ( Supervising Postal Service Officer, Postal Region VI, Iloilo City , Mr. Bienvenido G. Salcedo ( Director II) Postal Region XI, Zamboanga City , Mr. Rodolfo O. Tan (Postal Teller III) National Capital Region  and Mr. Antonio A. Tenebro ( Postmaster I) Postal Region XII, Cotabato City.

The seven outstanding postal employees also received a plaque, cash gift of Php 25,000 each, Dr. Tam’s  medicinal tea and if eligible they can be promoted.

Ms. Diosdada M. Marquez (4th from left)  – Marketing Specialist II OAPMG for Marketing , Central Post Office drew the loudest cheer among this year’s awardees. Her effort in last year’s election and corporate accounts  resulted in a hefty 50 million pesos in revenue.

L-R Ms. Bianca Marie R. Ferrel 2nd place, Ms. Charlette Alessi F. Inao 3rd place, Ms. Cherilyn Patrocino Sta. Ana -1st place

Out of the several hundred of entries in the 41^st nationwide letter writing contests conducted by Universal Postal Union or UPU , three students was chosen . The theme for the competition is “Write a letter to an athlete or sports figure you admire to explain what the Olympic Games mean to you”.

3 winners of the UPU letter writing contest

Ms. Cherilyn Patrocino Sta. Ana ( Ateneo de Naga ) won first prize , she also bagged a commemorative plaque from Philpost, stamp album with stamps, medal  and a cash prize of Php 15,000!

Ms. Bianca Marie R. Ferrel ( Ateneo de Davao) won second place , she bagged a commemorative plaque from Philpost , stamp album with stamps , medal and a cash prize of Php 10,000

Ms. Charlette Alessi F. Inao

Ms. Charlette Alessi F. Inao ( Sacred Heart School )- Ateneo de Cebu won third place , she bagged a commemorative plaque from Philpost, stamp album with stamps, medal and a cash prize of Php 5,000

Signing the official First Day Issue together with Mrs. Josie De La Cruz and Hon. Cesar N. Sarino

In this day of internet and modern ways of communication, There are still a whole lot more of people who still collects stamps and still write letters. According to the die-hard letters writers , ” This make their letters more formal and more personalized” rather than relying on computer keyboard fonts.

Mr. Prab Reyes

Mr. Prab Reyes of UP Diliman won first place in the stamp design contest organized by Philpost and United Nations  “International Year of the Forest 2011” , He bagged home a commemorative plaque with stamps, and Php 15,000 in cash .

first day cover

The stamp issue is  classified as a “Special” kind of issue with a denomination of P 7.00 and quantity of 70,000 pieces.
The United Nations General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.

L-R Postmaster General Ma. Josefina M. Dela Cruz, Current Philpost Board Chairman Hon. Cesar N. Sarino , Ms. Tess Debuque  during the ribbon cutting ceremony

  Postmaster and CEO Hon. Ma. Josefina M. Dela Cruz being interviewed by a senior reporter Mr. Noel Perfecto PTV channel 4 .

Mr. Andrei Felix and Ms. Donita Rose together with the postmaster

Mr. Hans W. Becker together with the postmaster general Mrs. Josie Dela Cruz

Mr. Hans W. Becker is the editor -in -chief of International Philippine Philately Society . He was born in Germany (Düsseldorf)  and lived in Luxemburg until 1977 . In 2010 he came to Cebu .  He is also an active member of Cebu Philatelic Society, Filipinas Stamp Collector’s Club, International Philippine Philatelic Society , Pampanga Collectors’ Society. He is an avid collector of Philippine stamps , coins, paper bills , postcards and maxi-cards. He won numerous awards from here and abroad . He is now presently residing in Cebu with his Filipina wife.

For those who wanted to trade:

Contact Information: 747 M. Pacubas Drve, Mambaling 6000 Cebu City

Filipino Inventors’ Society exhibit booth

There is also an exhibit booth of the Filipino Inventors’  Society with about 25 members that  actively participated in the event.

Mr. Clemente M. Covaria

Mr. Clemente M. Covaria is a member of the Filipino Inventors’ Society ( his novelty products) included novel signage. His slogan ” A Novel Signage Mean for Advertising Purposes ” is a way for his creative works to be notice.

novel signage

for those who might be interested in his works.

Contact information:  Unit 2013, Guadalupe BLISS, Cembo, Makati City

Cellphone: (09219-78-5598)

native delicacies from Biñan , Laguna

Aling Nene’s is a popular home made delicacies based in the town of  Biñan specializes in Puto Biñan, Puto Pao, Puto Cake, Kutchinta, Espasol, Buko Pie, Pandan Pie, Ube Buko Pie, Cassava, Macaroons, Crispy Okoy.

Contact Person: Ms. Joy S. Mendiola

Address: General Malvar, San Vicente Biñan , Laguna

Cellphone  : 0919-8679591

Landline: (049)511-3475 / (049)511-32-08

Email: Joys_mendiola@yahoo.com

Mr. Jorge H. Cuyugan lectured basic philately to high school students

Mr. Jorge H. Cuyugan of Pampanga Collectors’ Society is an active bibliophile, philatelist , post card , bank note and coin collector . He is based in Pampanga. He had published numerous books about philately, paper bills and Rizaliana.

Contact address : 63 Santiago St., Sta. Ana, Pampanga

P.O. Box 5050 San Fernando ,Pampanga

key chain made from cut styro

Mr. Antonio P. Agtoto is a Filipino inventor of styro electronic Cutter with patent no. UM 8377 , He won various national awards like 3rdplace in the 1st Luzon Invention Competition, 3rd place in National Inventors Week 2001, Finalist in Filipino Inventors Week contest . His styro cutter is making waves in other countries like in Japan , Korea and the United States. While his styro products is selling like hot cakes in national trade shows.

Agtoto Enterprise

Address: 10- H Ilaw Street , San Francisco Del Monte, Quezon City

AANI Herbal Garden, Quezon Memorial Circle , Elliptical Circle  Quezon City

Contact Person: Inventor Mr.  Antonio Agtoto

  Landline : (413-34-89 )

 Cellphone : 0916-828-2687 / 0906-37-377618 /0909-35921225

The Technical description of the 2011 United Nations Issue International Year of the Forests stamps are as follows:

Kind of Issue: Special

Denominations and Quantity: Php7.00 / 70,000 pieces

Date of Issue: October 24, 2011

Last date of Sale: October 23, 2012 ( as stocks allow)

Sheet Composition: 40

Size: 30 mm x 40 mm

Perforation: 14

Printing: Litho offset (4 colors)

Paper: Imported Unwatermarked

Printer: APO Production Unit

Design Coordinator: Dr. Ngo Tiong Tak
United Nations Information Center (Manila)

Website Link:http://philpost.gov.ph/web/2011-united-nations-issue-international-year-of-the-forests-special-stamps/

FILPEX 2010

Filipinas Stamp Collectors’ Club under the auspices of the Philippine Philatelic Federation and in cooperation with Philippine Postal Corporation , City of Manila on the occasion of its 15th anniversary held a stamp exhibition and competition  from December 2 to 17 , 2010 .

NBN channel 4 media guesting by the author last November 29, 2010 . The author was interviewed by Ms. Veronica  ” Nikki” Baluyot- Jimenez

The opening ceremonies took place at around past 10 :00 am with several distinguished guest of honors which included Mr. Alfredo Gabot – ( Chairman of the Board -Philpost Corporation ) ,  Atty. Antonio Z. De Guzman – (Postmaster General -CESO 1 )  , Mrs. Elenita San Diego – (Postage and Philatelic Department ) , Mrs. Elizabeth Tungol – (Finance Department  ), Atty. Tetangco -personal representative of Mayor Alfredo Lim, Mr. Hans Becker from Luxemburg and International Philippine Philatelic Society correspondent  , Mr. Pio Rodriguez ,   Mr. Robert Tan -President ( Philippine Philatelic Federation) and  members of other philatelic organizations .

L-R Mr. Han Becker, Mrs. Elizabeth Tungol, Atty. Antonio De Guzman, Mrs. Josefina T. Cura, Mr. Robert Tan

Back : Mrs. Elenita San Diego , Mr. Lawrence Chan, Mrs. Elsie Loyola

The theme for this anniversary was “Appreciation and Enjoyment of Stamp Collecting.” This  exhibit is considered the much anticipated event of the year among Philatelists.

Chairman  Alfredo Gabot in his welcome address

Other partners included YKL Photo Company for the much needed documentation process , media partners like Studio 23, NBN channel 4, Buy and Sell Newspaper , Commuter Express, PINAS Sikat Newspaper,UNTV channel 37 , Philippine Star ,  Sonshine Radio and Television Channel 39 , Tulay fortnightly digest ,  Philpost media among others.

trophies , medals and token gifts for the winners and  guests of honor

Local politician which supported the event included the office of Mayor Alfredo S. Lim , Vice-Mayor Francisco ” Isko ” Moreno Domagoso , Congressman Trisha Bonoan- David( 4th district )  , Councilor Mrs.  Jocelyn Quintos ( 4th district ) , Councilor Don Juan Bagatsing ( 4th district) Minority Floor leader , Councilor Ms.  Maria Sheila ” Honey ” Lacuna – Pangan (4th district) Majority Floor leader , Barangay Chairman  403 zone 41 – Ms. Sonia L. Luyahan, Kagawad Don Pasetes among others.

Philatelic clubs like Filipino – Chinese Philatelic Society , Cebu Philatelic Society, Naga Philatelic Society , International Philippine Philatelic Society , Quezon Philatelic Society which allowed their members to actively participate in the event.

The planning stage for the exhibition started early on the first quarter of the year, but lack of philatelic exhibition frames and other minor problems  prompted the board to postpone the event for the last quarter of the year.

Mr. Emmanuel Encarnacion winner of GOLD for his exhibit  received the trophy

Organizing a stamp exhibit is not that easy , with few resources available,  a handful of volunteers, few sponsors ,  mounting an exhibit is a big task.

Mr. John Co received the vermiel trophy for his stamp exhibit entitled ” Sinophila – Footprints of Overseas Chinese”

Series of queries arouse , Like can we invite stamp collectors with adequate philatelic materials good enough for exhibition ? Do we have the budget for the event ? Where can we get support ? Will the media cover this event?  Is the security enough? Judging criteria ?  Will the the public come to the event ? Who will document the event?  those are some of the problems foreseen by some of the board members of the Filipinas Stamp Collectors’ Club and Philippine Philatelic Federation.

Ms. Alyssah Xeniah C. Alcala an avid collector of stamps from Quezon  received the vermiel award ” Youth Category ” for her stamp exhibit entitled ” Queen Elizabeth II “

Foreseeing the first problem , this anonymous person came to the rescue  . This person had already  took the bitter pills in painstaking  conceptualizing and to a big extent, funding  the metal frames intended for this event.

After all, without the frames , all the stamps collections from private collectors across the country cannot be exhibited properly.

L-R group picture with Mr.Pio Rodriguez ( Chairman- Judging Committee FILPEX 2010) , Mr. Robert Tan ( President – Philippine Philatelic Federation ) , Mr. Hans  Becker and Atty. Antonio Z. De Guzman ( Postmaster General)

What was envisioned as a simple stamp exhibit became a reality  ,  The start of the mounting of stamps in the philatelic  board started 3rd week of November while judging took place on November 27 , 2010.

The original opening  date of the exhibit was further move to December 2, 2010 after some minor set backs.

Ms. Alyssah Xeniah C. Alcala  posed for a souvenir photo at her exhibit ” Queen Elizabeth II ”

Some of the excited participants came early ,  Special mention to the family of  Ms. Alyssah Xeniah C. Alcala, Mr. Abet Alcala who came all the way from Quezon province .

Mr. Allan Vergara winner of silver medal for his exhibit entitled ” Apocryphal Zoology” posed for a souvenir shot

The winners of the stamp competition was also announced during the event , eliciting admiration from the huge crowd which composed of collectors, students , Philpost employees and passersby .

Mr. Gerson Danseco from Quezon Philatelic Society received  a medal for his exhibit entitled  Dog’s – Man’s Best Friend which won a silver-bronze .

Ms. Penafrancia Ruiz of Naga Philatelic Society received several medals for her exhibits . She had entered 4 exhibits all of which won silver-bronzes

After the announcement of all the winners , as a token of gratitude to their unwavering support for the event  framed PNOY stamps each were given to Chairman Alfredo Gabot and Atty. Tetangco .

Atty. Tetangco (personal representative of Mayor Alfredo S. Lim)  received a  token framed PNOY stamps from Mr. Robert Tan , Chairman Gabot, Atty. Antonio De Guzman

Chairman Alfredo Gabot received a framed PNOY stamps from Mr. Robert Tan as a token of gratitude

A lunch buffet meal was served to the selected guests at the conference room courtesy of Mr. Robert Tan , where a book authored by Mrs. Mina Gabor ( Philippine Stamps ) was given by the Postmaster General Atty. Antonio Z. De Guzman .

Mr. Emmanuel Encarnacion posed in his winning exhibit entitled  ” Philippine Telegraph ” . His exhibit is said to be worth millions of pesos

Group of students and teachers went on a field trip at the post office  during the exhibit opening

Ms. Eyesha Endar a correspondence from PNAS Sikat Newspaper interviewed Mr. Robert Tan

Ms. Zara Siera of Naga Philatelic Society won a bronze medal  for her exhibit ” Trees”

Several days later on December 6, 2010,  Hon. Secretary Herminio B.  Coloma Jr. (Presidential  Communication Office  ) went to the Philpost and was met by Mrs. Elenita San Diego, Mrs. Josefina T. Cura , Mr. Reynaldo Ong de Jesus, Mr. Robert Tan and warmly received by Postmaster General Atty. Antonio Z. De Guzman .

The author would like to thank all the people who help in making this event a huge success ! Until next time.

Here are the WINNERS:

A. Traditional Philately

Exhibit Title                                            Exhibitor                                         Award

1. Philippine Telegraphs             Mr. Emmanuel   Encarnacion       –   Gold

2. Postal System Under the Japanese  Occupation   Mr. Rey Ong De Jesus  – Large Vermiel

3. USPI  1898 to 1908                                  Mr. Rey Ong De Jesus   –  Large Vermiel

4. USPI Special Delivery 1901 to  1941    Mr. Dojie Lutera            –   Large Vermiel

5. Philippine Railway Mail Service 1900 to 1978     Mr. Dojie Lutera   – Vermiel

B. Thematic Philately

1. Philatelic Terms                                         Mr. Rey Ong De Jesus –     Vermiel

2. Sinophila – Footprints of Overseas Chinese        Mr. John Co   –   Vermiel

3. Apocryphal Zoology                                 Mr. Allan Vergara           –    Silver

4. Water Birds                                                   Ms. Paulina Calinawan    –    Silver

5. An Affair to Remember                            Mr. Dionisio Taeza         –   Silver- Bronze

6. Yes, They are Stamps                        Msgr. Ramon Tiama          –       Silver- Bronze

7. Welcome to the World Babe          Ms. Maria Lourdes Watiwat –  Silver- Bronze

8. Flowers                                                   Ms. Paulina Calinawan          –   Silver – Bronze

9. Joy to the World                                  Ms. Penafrancia Ruiz            –    Silver – Bronze

10. Dogs- Man’s Best Friend                Mr. Gerson Danseco            –     Silver – Bronze

11. Democracy Lost, Democracy Restored  Ms. Penafrancia Ruiz   –  Silver Bronze

12. Christianization of Bicolandia           Ms. Penafrancia Ruiz    –    Silver- Bronze

13. Trees                                                           Ms. Ma. Zarah C. Sierra    -Silver- Bronze

14. Dogs                                                            Ms.  Penafrancia Ruiz        – Silver – Bronze

15. Music Genre                                            Mr. Stanley Siu                    –  Silver- Bronze

16. Philippine Constitution                      Ms. Zeida Aurora B. Garfin  –  Bronze

17. Memoirs of PMA                                      Ms. Maria  Lourdes Watiwat       –  Bronze

C. Youth Philately

1.  Queen Elizabeth II                                  Ms. Alyssah Xeniah C. Alcala        –  Vermiel

2.  Transportation on Land, Sea, Air             Ms. Jally D. Marquez                –  Silver- Bronze

3. Philatelic Forays Across the Curriculum Ms. Colie Marie D. Marquez  – Silver- Bronze

D. Guest Exhibitors

1. Spanish -Philippines Pre-Philatelic Period          Mr. Robert Tan

2. China -Pre- Philatelic Period                                    Mr. Robert Tan

3.  Maximaphilately ( Maximum cards)                   Mr. Hans Becker

4. Philippines 1935 to 1970                                          Mr. Hans Becker