The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) in collaboration with the Philippine Stamp Collectors Society (PSCS) marked the celebration of World Post Day and the 150th founding anniversary of the Universal Postal Union, held on October 9, with the grand opening of “Manna Filatelica 2024 Stamp Exhibition” at SM City Mall San Lazaro activity area in Sta Cruz Manila.
For the first time, from October 9-11, the exhibit’s Manila leg will feature the iconic and original 1840 Penny Black Postage Stamp, the World’s First Stamp issued and Queen Isabella, the first postage stamps for the Philippine Islands which was released on February 1, 1854, during the reign of Queen Isabella II of Spain.
The exhibit is open to the public.
PHLPost is proud to celebrate “World Post Day” in solidarity with Postal Workers around the World in serving communities, connecting to every country’s postal administration around the world through the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a specialized agency of the United Nations.
World Post Day is being celebrated on October 09, each year marking the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1874 in the Swiss Capital of Berne, Switzerland.
On this day, countries around the world mark a historic milestone as their postal administrations celebrate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union, the second oldest organization under the United Nation.
“The celebration of World Post Day allows us to showcase PHLPost services, highlighting the postal sector’s role in communication and business, as well as its contribution to global, social and economic development”, Postmaster General Luis Carlos said.
He added, “ the Post Office has a presence everywhere on our planet reaching out even the most remote places offering a wide range of services to everyone”.
The Manna Filatelica 2024, a nationwide stamp exhibit has brought together students, local, national, and international stamp collectors in Cebu City, Davao and other parts of the country, helping PHLPost promote Stamp Collecting as an exciting and vibrant hobby especially among the younger generation.
To express solidarity with the Universal Postal Union, PHLPost unveiled the historic “150th Anniversary of the UPU commemorative stamps” featuring the four (4) winners of the recently held Universal Postal Union 150th Stamp Design Contest organized by Philippine Philatelic Federation, PHLPost and Museo Orlina.
Ramon Orlina, the Pioneer of glass art in the Philippines and a veteran stamp collector chaired the Board of Judges and sponsored the prizes for the winning stamp design won by Arthur M. Marcelo of Orani, Bataan, Mylene Grace L. Llaneta of Imus, Cavite, Marie Jeddah Legaspi-Leuterio c/o Metrobank Foundation and Jayson M. Robles of Malolos, Bulacan. The winners will each receive PHP50,000 and a souvenir frame.
The Philippine Stamp Collectors Society (PSCS) has prepared several activities to promote not just stamp collecting but letter writing as well. Visitors allowed to join the postcard writing, mailing and meet/greet of collectors and Santa Claus writing for the 3-day World Post Day event.
Ms. Lydia Hoy-Tallafer, a Filipino Centenarian will be awarded with a personalized stamp to celebrate her 100th birth anniversary. She will be assisted by her daughter Ms. Eve Sison, a stamp collector and core leader of the Philippine Stamp Collectors Society.
“Living to 100 years old is one of life’s greatest achievements, and definitely a milestone worth celebrating with their own picture imprinted on the postage stamp”, Carlos said.
As an active member of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), PHLPost is currently working with its local and international partners to support its modernization and digital transformation program.
“PHLPost is now optimizing its mail and parcel delivery systems and improving overall efficiency and reliability capitalizing on the “Postal Trinity” which includes the establishment of Barangay Postal Stations nationwide to provide efficient last mile delivery, reaching out even to far-flung areas of the country, the implementation of the new seven (7) digit alphanumeric new ZIP Code PH from the old four (4) digit which will standardize the addressing system in the country and the Kartero App or the K-App, a Real Time Visibility system to modernize the delivery and efficiency of its mail operations”, Postmaster General Carlos added.
