Fernando Poe Junior in Philippine stamps

Last November 10, 2010 five stamps bearing the pictures of five national artists were unveiled at the lobby of the Philippine Postal Corporation at the Liwasang Bonifacio in the heart of Manila’s Cultural district.

Mrs. Grace Poe- Llamanzares together with Philpost officials  and relatives of the four other national artists as invited guests of honors before the unveiling of the stamps.

Thousands of people from all walks of life had waited for several hours just to see the descendants of the five national artists. Among them is Mrs. Susan Roces –Poe wife of National Artist for Film the late actor Mr.  Ronald Allan Kelly  Poe or better known as  Fernando Poe Jr. and his daughter MTRBC current chair Mrs. Grace Poe –Llamanzares .

FPJ or fondly called Da King on Philippine movies

Mrs. Roces  proudly showed the stamp images of FPJ in his iconic roles as Panday, Totoy Bato and Pepeng Kaliwete. Also included is his movie “Umpisahan Mo, Tatapusin Ko.” He was honored by then President Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo on May 24, 2006 through a Presidential Proclamation 1065 as one of the Philippine National Artist. His acting career spanned almost 50 years and had produced, directed and acted on several of his major films. tucked to his record is more than 130 movies and his films are highly acclaimed both here in the country and abroad.

Relatives of the national artists seated at the lobby of the post office being introduced to the audience

The FPJ commemorative stamps which includes four other national artists like Mr. Cornelio “ Levi ” Celerio –  National Artist for Music , Mr. Nick Joaquin with his pen name  “ Quijano de Manila – National Artist for Literature ,  Mr. Carlos Quirino – National Artist for Historical Literature and Mrs. Leonor Orosa- Goquinco – National Artist for Dance  is currently selling at P65, is also a big boost to the campaign to promote letter writing in the age of electronic media, cell phone technology and social media. The author also personally met Mrs. Rosalinda Orosa a well-known columnist  and an advocate for culture and the arts  from the  Philippine Star . She is the sister of national artist for dance Mrs. Leonor Orosa- Goquingco.

Mrs. Susan Roces- Poe , Mrs. Grace Poe- Llamanzares together with Philpost officials before the unveiling of the  2010 Philippine National Artists on stamps.

The event started at past 10 am were each of the descendants or relative of the national artists were introduced to the public. Dozens of media networks like Kapamilya ABS-CBN channel 2, NBN channel 4, Kapatid network channel 5, Kapuso channel 7, UNTV channel 37 , bloggers  and among others covered the event.

Mrs. Susan Roces after the  unveiling of the stamps

“Nothing can compare to the personal touch in writing letters, and the smell that goes with love letters,” said Roces, who herself continues her family tradition of collecting stamps.  Mrs. Susan Roces also took time to view the stamp exhibit of Philippine stamps at the lobby.  There was also a framed exhibit of NATOPEX 1961 photo of Roces promoting philately.  She said stamps and letter writing should continue in this Internet-driven age. Unknown to many Mrs. Susan Roces- Poe is also a philatelist at heart and had been collecting stamps for more than 50 years ! Her topic includes Flora and Fauna on stamps.

Philately in Movie land article by Mr. Carlos Manseguiao with Ms. Susan Roces ” Queen of Philippine Cinema ”  which appeared on the defunct Philippine Journal of Philately from May to June 1962  mounted on a special frame.

Llamanzares, meantime, has encouraged her mother to sign up on Facebook and other social media sites to connect to a new generation of fans. She quickly added that she will not press it.

ceremonial autograph signing of the relatives and descendants of the national artists

The event was also a venue where philatelists from all over the country and the world would buy first day issue of the stamps. Every November,  the Philippine Postal Corporation would celebrate their  founding anniversary and it is also a venue were works of various Philippine National Artists would be featured on Philippine stamps. The country had a long tradition of issuing stamps , The first one being issued on February 1 , 1854 and was once Asia’s leading commercial stamp exchange post .

2010 National artists on stamp issue  mounted on frames

The officials of the Philippine Postal Corporation attended the event. The author is among the thousands of people who waited for the unveiling of the stamps.

relatives, descendants of national artist for dance Mrs. Leonor Orosa -Goquinco pose for a souvenir shoot at the lobby. Mrs. Rosalinda ” Baby ” L.  Orosa a Philippine Star columnist is at the center .

One of Philpost stamp advisory committee chair  Gabot, a former commissioner of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and one of those who voted for Fernando Poe Jr. as National Artist on Films.

Ms. Susan Roces photo opportunity with the  Philpost employees and fans

This is one of the biggest crowd to ever ensemble at the launching of a stamp in recent years. These stamps is highly collectible since only 100,000 copies were just issued .  FPJ souvenir stamps and First Day Cover had a smaller quantity printed  at just 5,000 copies .

2010 national artist on Philippine stamp  with 4 featured artists at P7.00 each

The author had a very memorable time talking with the descendants of the national artist and had several FDC autographed signed during the event .

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3rd Pinoy Organic Fair at the Quezon Memorial Circle

I was invited last May 26 to the 3rd Pinoy Organic Fair organized by the Agri-Aqua Network Incorporated at the Quezon Memorial Circle . This year’s theme ” Celebrating the Philippine Organic Agriculture Law” aims to promote and the signing of President Gloria Macapagal -Arroyo the organic law.

Poster of the Event

Every year the festival sees the growth not only of the Organic Groups in the country joining the Festival but also the growth and access of the Organic Movement per se and the Organic Farming to more and more interest groups and the public.

Daily lectures are a big crowd drawer

There were about 50 exhibitors which were invited to the event with product sampling, organic certified produce, daily free lectures and seminars was conducted.

A trader selling  “Malunggay” products

Scientifically called Moringa oelifera , “Sajina” in the Indian Subcontinent, and “Moringa” in English, it is a popular tree. Many Asians use the leaves of Malunggay (Sajina) like spinach and also the fruit it produces as a vegetable, like asparagus. Both the leaves and the fruits are very nutritious, which contain many vitamins like Vitamin C and other minerals. For centuries, people in India, Indonesia , Philippines, Malaysia,   Thailand  and Vietnam have been eating these leaves as a part of their food.

a dealer of moringa aka malunggay capsule

Aside from the traditional fresh leaves or vegetables, powder or supplement form, tea. Some product where malunggay leaves is included are bread, oil (for cooking and cosmetic ingredients), shampoo ,  conditioner, ice cream, malunggay capsules, noodles enhanced with malunggay powder and among others.

organic and hand made soap

booth selling organic fertilizers,educational handouts

Victoria Laundry Powder has been around for several years—maybe more than a decade, even—and in the last couple of years, has been readily available in the major supermarket chains. It’s actually something I intentionally seek out in a supermarket. Most major supermarkets already carry this brand .  Although price -conscious customer still prefer the commercial brands.

Booth of Victoria Laundry  Detergent

According to the proprietor ,  Victoria Laundry Powder dates back to several years ago.  Some people may developed an allergic  reaction to regular, commercial detergents.  Victoria is one of the brand , that is organically certified environment friendly to us, and we started using it on our clothes—and our rashes quickly left. It’s really great for people who have sensitive skin because, since it doesn’t use any harsh detergents, and is made from completely natural ingredients, it doesn’t leave a residue on your clothes that can cause rashes and irriations. This also means that it’s gentle on the hands, and it won’t cause wounds for those who do a lot of hand washing.

The organic detergent is locally manufactured and  distributed by Dalia Herbal Community Herbal Enterprises, Inc., at (632) 6354926. Their office is at Bo. Kapitolyo in Pasig.

Price: Around Php150.00 for a 1 Kilo box.

The company won numerous award internationally. Good for the environment because it’s biodegradable. Good for those with sensitive skin and for people whose skin reacts badly to harsh chemicals. Gentle enough for use with baby clothes. Tough enough to really take out dirt. You use less powder to wash the same amount of clothes.

Organically grown  turkey

These are some of the organically grown turkey which are fed with natural feeds and free roaming . The company which exhibited the turkey also produces cold-cuts and turkey hachlings intended for the local market.