Santo Niño de Cebú 1521 to 2021 500th Anniversary Commemorative Stamps issued by PHLPOST

Santo Niño de Cebu and the logo of the 500th anniversary ( quincentennial ) logo with this year’s theme Santo Niño , The Abiding Presence Of the Father In Our Journey of Faith were issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation ( PHLPOST) This also includes a first day cover. The stamp had a face value of Php 12.00 each or Php 24.00 for the se-tenant pair.

This coincided with the commemoration of the first baptism in the country which happened on April 14, 1521.

(a se-tenant pair of stamp with face value of Php 12.00 issued by PHLPOST)

Commemorative Stamps and Launching

Postmaster General Norman “Mr. Postman” Fulgencio together with His Excellency Archbishop Jose Palma of Archdiocese of Cebu unveiled the commemorative stamps to mark the 500^th anniversary of the arrival of the image of Señor Santo Niño and the first baptism that both took place in Cebu.

The launching ceremony of the historic commemorative issuance of postage stamp characterized the expression of faith and deeper devotion among the Filipino Catholic Community to the Holy Child Jesus.

Santo Niño is known for his miracles and people’s devotions that transcend religions. In the words of Pope Francis, the Holy Child is the Protector of the Philippines for half a millennium. This oldest religious icon of the country has been enshrined and widely venerated at the Basilica del Minore del Sto. Nino in Cebu City under the care of the Augustinians of the Province of Sto. Nino de Cebu-Philippines.

The popular image of the Sto. Nino was given by the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan to the local queen Humamay (later named Juana), after her baptism on April 14, 1521. On April 28, 1565, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi’s expedition landed on the island of Cebu. One of his soldiers found an image of the Child Jesus in a hut believed to be the same image Magellan had given the queen of the island forty-four years earlier.

National Cultural Treasure Proclamation

The Minor Basilica of Santo Niño was proclaimed as National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, exactly 500 years after the first Catholic baptism in the Philippines.

Under the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, or Republic Act 10066, a national cultural treasure refers to a unique cultural property that possesses “outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is highly significant and important to the country and nation.”

It was announced on Wednesday that the basilica and the pavilion of the Magellan’s Cross have been declared as NCT.

Dr. Rene Escalante, Chairperson, National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Michael Lloyd Dino, Philippine Postal Corporation Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio, Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and The Most Reverend Archbishop Charles John Brown, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines during the launching of the Commemorative Stamps to mark the 500th Anniversary of the Arrival of Santo Niño which was held at the historic Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu City.

The most familiar religious icon which was featured several times by the postal authorities was also launched by the agency.

Stamps and Official First Day Covers of “Santo Niño at 500 –1521-2021: Santo Niño, the Abiding Presence of the Father in Our Journey of Faith” are now available at the Philatelic Counter, Manila Central Post Office, all Mega Manila Post Offices, Postal Area 1,Tuguegarao, Postal Area 2, San Fernando, La Union, Postal Area 4, San Pablo, Area 5, Mandaue, Postal Area 6, Iloilo, Postal Area 7, Davao, Postal Area 8, Cagayan de Oro, and Postal Area 9, Zamboanga.

Photo credit: Philippine Postal Corporation -office of the media affairs and the author for additional article

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Rare Hauls at Filipinas Stamp Collectors’ Club Meeting

Filipinas Stamp Collectors’ Club meets every third sunday of the month at the main lobby of the Manila Central Post Office within Philippine Postal Corporation compound.

Manila Central Post Office with OFW bank ( formerly called Postal Saving Bank )

The club usually host a small bourse or auction. Prices may vary, Most of the items starts with Php 10.00 starting bid, While some have posted prices. The general public together with the members have a chance to browse through the list of items most of which are philatelic items like packets of stamps, first day covers, commemorative issues, stamp from around the world are auction off.

commercial shoot at the entrance of the post office

Got a chance to visit the meeting after the eyeball of Bottle Collectors of the Philippines  (Mga Lumang Bote)FB group held at the Calvo Memorabilia and Bottle Museum in Escolta.

Filipinas Stamp Collectors Club Bourse

Some items may also includes banknotes, ephemeras, photos, postcards, books, toys, bottles, phone cards sometimes a host of other curio stuffs like dolls, die cast cars, medals, coin holders.

University of the Philippines certificate of matriculation

University of the Philippines ( College of Law)  certificate of matriculation is just Php 50.00. This could be e around the late 1950’s. The item starting bid was just Php 50.00 with Mr. Harandi won the bid.

De La Salle University first day cover block of four ( circa June 16, 1961)

De La Salle University first day cover issued in 1961 ( block of four stamps) starting bid was just Php 50 and did not went up. The item bid won by Mr. Reuben Bala Jr.

Bank of the Philippine Islands first day cover 150th anniversary

Philippine Orchids imperforate sheet circa 1960

Philippine Orchids imperforate sheet start bid at Php 50 but went up to Php 250

Between 450 to 520 items were auctioned off to the general audience. Despite the gloomy weather, more than 40 participants came at the meeting. There was a rare chance of watching over a commercial shooting.

The shooting started during the morning and according to the guards, the commercial team schedule is until past night time.

Most of the items consigned at the bourse are from old and serious collectors, some of which have accumulated tons of stamps and other stuff over the years or decades. There were a couple of participants who came all the way from San Pedro and San Pablo Laguna province, I also saw Mr. Reuben Bala Jr. and Mr. Dionisio Taeza who hails from Cavite province.

Php 10 emergency banknote from Mindanao issued from 1944 to early 1946

We also managed to meet Mr. Boy Francisco, who sold some excess emergency banknotes from Mindanao and commonwealth era paper bills.

The club’s next meeting will be held on October 20 Third Sunday of the month from 1:00 pm to past 4:00 pm.

Presentation and Stamp Unveiling Ceremony of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray at Novotel

Commemorative stamps and first day covers of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray were issued and presented  by Philippine Postal Corporation executives around mid-morning of February 24, 2019 at Novotel, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City.

l-r Mr. Maximo Santa Maria ( Business Line Manager ) Ms. Catriona Gray ( Miss Universe 2018 ) Mr.Norman Fulgencio, chairman of the board of PHLPost and Mr. Luis Carlos (APMG for Marketing) photo courtesy of Pilipinas Philately

Mr. Normal Fulgencio ( chairman of the board of PHLPOST) said during the launching  that the Catriona Gray stamps is a way of recognizing her after winning the Miss Universe title.

Commemorative Stamps

One of the stamps shows her first official photo as the new queen of the universe with face value of Php 12 by 40 pieces per sheet while the Php 55 souvenir sheet shows the first walk after the announcement.

The stamps were designed by Mr. Rodine Teodoro and PHLPOST philatelic section employees featuring the iconic lava gown design by Mr. Mark Tumang wearing Miss Universe Mikimoto crown.

Aside from the official photos provided by Miss Universe organization, The logo of the organization is also prominently featured on both stamps and first day covers.

Ms. Catriona Gray recounted that she would also collect stamps from different countries and send letters to her friends.

Ms. Catriona Gray with her own special stamps and first day cover ( photo courtesy of Pilipinas Philately)

The ceremonial autograph signing and presentation was held at the Novotel just hours before her victory parade held within Araneta Center.

Statement

“This momentous occasion is an opportunity for us to recognize her in raising the Philippine flag, and championing Filipino pride in the global stage,” Fulgencio said.

“Indeed you have made us proud. Your victory is a testament to the faith and resiliency of the Filipinos,” he added.

Public Selling

Along with the two stamps, There were first day covers which will be release to the general public by February 27, 2019 ( Wednesday ). These special stamps and fdc can be purchase  at the Manila Central Post office, Liwasang Bonifacio, Ermita, Manila.

 

 

 

 

President Barack Obama and Joe Biden Inauguration First Day Cover

This is a special President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden 2013 inauguration First Day Cover issued by the United States Postal Authorities . This is considered as a collectible item among stamp, letter collectors around the world since it commemorated a historic event.  It is not everyday that one commemorates a President and Vice -President inauguration .

This was given to be as a gift last month when i conducted a FREE walking tour in Far Eastern University campus in Nicanor Reyes Sr. Street, Sampaloc, Manila.

The USPS issued and FDC in 2009 and the 2013 second term FDC.

Website : https://www.usps.com/

Note : I would like like to ” Thank” Mr. Martin Lopez this special First Day Cover

Malacañang Palace sesquicentennial anniversary stamp

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

a 12- centavo carmine colored Malacañan palace stamp issued by the commonwealth government on November 15, 1939  – (The 3 denomination stamp  set consists of 2 centavo green, 6 centavo orange and 12 centavo carmine )

The stamp was issued to commemorate the 4th anniversary of the Commonwealth government as posted by the Scott International Stamp Catalog  page 232.

The Malacañang Palace (Filipino: Palasyo ng Malakanyang), officially Malacañan Palace or simply “the Palace”, is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the Philippines. It is located along Pasig River, Governors-General Francis Burton Harrison and Dwight F. Davis built an executive building, the Kalayaan Hall, which was later transformed into a museum.

Palasyo ng Malakanyang sa Pampang ng Pasig issued on November 15, 1973

The stamp which was issued on November 15, 1973 featured President Ferdinand Marcos and Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos – the stamp was printed by Dela Rue ( England) with perforation 14.

First Day Cover with Malacañang Palace cache design and 3 piece stamp set

Denomination 15 sentimo -2,000,000 pieces , 50 sentimo – 4,000,000 pieces and 60 sentimo -4,000,000 pieces with First Day Cover design

souvenir sheet depicting palace

 Malacañang Palace was one of the national landmarks featured in the 10 member ASEAN countries commemorative stamp issuance in 2007 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the organization

Originally a summer house built by Spanish aristocrat Don Luis Rocha, the structure was sold to Colonel José Miguel Formente, and was later purchased by the state in 1825. Since then, Malacañang Palace had become the temporary summer residence of every Spanish governor of the country, and after the 1863 earthquake of Manila destroyed the Palacio del Gobernador  in Intramuros, the official residence.

150th Anniversary

2013 marks the 150th anniversary of the official transfer of the governor general official residence to the present location.  The palace is one of the most featured landmarks  featured from the American colonial regime, Marcos regime, ASEAN commemorative stamps . The place is also feature in several  picture postcard  since the Spanish era , American and post war.  Aside from Stamp issuance and First Day Cover ( FDC), Philippine Postal Corporation is  planning to issue a limited -collector’s edition ( Malacañang Palace maximum card and postcard) to commemorate the special occasion.

 Malacañang Palace circa 2013 at Php 10.00 face value

Design:

The stamp feature a facade of the  Malacañang Palace viewed across the Pasig River and the Official Seal of the President of the Philippines. The commemorative stamps will be available at the Manila Central Post Office as well as all regional offices of the Philippine Postal Corporation.

Technical Description:

 Malacanan Palace 150 years Sesquicentennial
Kind of Issue: Commemorative
Denominations and Quantity: Php10.00 / 500,000 pieces
Date of Issue: June 11, 2013
Last date of Sale: June 10, 2014 (as stocks allow)
Size: 44 mm x 25 mm
Perforation: 13 ½
Printing Litho offset (4 colors)
Paper: Imported Unwatermarked
Designer: Presidential Communications Development
and Strategic Planning Office
Office of Undersecretary Mr. Manuel L. Quezon III
Lay out Artist: Mr. Jose Antonio A. Jayme
Design: Façade of Malacañang Palace by the Pasig River
With the government seal and text, “Sesquicentennial, 1863- 2013”

Website links and References:

Filipinas Stamp Collector’s Club Facebook page:

Philippine Postal Corporation

Malacañang Palace: http://www.president.gov.ph/