In line with the celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of our National Hero, Jose Rizal, the Philippine Postal Corporation is coming up with the Jose Rizal@150 stamps which will be issued on June 19, 2011. It is classified as a “Commemorative” kind of issue with a denomination of P 7.00 and a quantity of 70,000 pieces each for two se-tenant pairs. Also available is a souvenir sheet with a denomination of P 150.00 and a quantity of 6,000 pieces.
Moreover, Philpost launched an exhibit of stamps and other memorabilia dubbed as “ Rizaliana Collection on Stamps Exhibit by Jorge Cuyugan and Philatelic friends” last Monday, June 13 at the lobby of the historic Manila Central Post Office Building in Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila. The exhibit will run until the 30th of June.
The opening of the exhibit were attended by Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) Secretary Ivan John E., former Senator Nikki Coseteng, NHCP representative Carminda Arevalo and Atty. Ramoncita Reyes, a member of Rizal Family.
On display are complete sets of Rizal stamps issued by PhilPost including winning artworks of the Jose Rizal stamp design contest conducted by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). Three Fine Arts students from the Far Eastern University (FEU) won the contest that aims to promote Rizal’s greatness and contribution to our nation.
The exhibit contains an almost complete collection of Rizalian stamps and other philatelic items limited to his self portrait, monuments and works from the very first issue of 1906 to the latest issues of Rizal stamps on June 19 which are presented in chronological order with introductory texts for each issue.
The exhibit will feature all original items never before featured or shown in any exhibits for viewers to fully appreciate. Visitors and students will also have the chance to view special related trivia’s, pictures and Rizalian collections.
The winning stamp designs which are included in the exhibit will be used by the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) in launching the special limited stamps of Rizal @ 150 on June 19, the national hero’s birth anniversary.
Marc Aran Reyes, Deanne Fernandez, and Lex Kempho Lacar won the student category in the contest.The young artists created the stamp designs based on their interpretation of Rizal’s ideals.
Fernandez’s stamp design uses the oft-used black and white drawing of Rizal, along with the cover of Rizal’s first novel “Noli Me Tangere.” An oil lamp, which was typically used as evening light, symbolized enlightenment and reason.
For Reyes, Rizal is seen with a white dove beside him, the dove symbolizing freedom from Spanish rule that the Laguna native wished for the Philippines.
The designs of Fernandez and Reyes will be used as stamps while Lacar’s design will be for the cachet of the First Day Cover Envelope that will be issued on June 19.
The technical description of the 1861-2011 Jose Rizal@150 Haligi ng Bayan stamps are as follows:
Kind of Issue: Commemorative
Denomination and Quantity:Php7.00 /
Se-tenant Pair 1: 70,000 pieces
Se-tenant Pair 2: 70,000 pieces
Date of Issue: June 19, 2011
Last date of Sale: June 18, 2012 ( or as stocks allow)
Size: 30 mm x 40 mm
Sheet Composition: 40
Souvenir Sheet: Php 150.00 / 6,000 pieces
Size of Souvenir Sheet: 120 mm. x 175 mm.
Perforation: 14
Printing process: Litho offset
Paper: Imported Unwatermarked
Printer: Amstar Company, Inc.
Designers: Winners of Stamp Design Contest sponsored NHCP namely,
Pair 1: Marc Aran C. Reyes
Lex Kempo Y. Lacar
Deanne Fernandez
Pair 2: Ramon Vizmonte
Heinritzh C. Sales
Design Layout Artists:
(Stamps) : Victorino Z. Serevo
(Souvenir Sheet) : Jesus Alfredo Delos Santos
Design Coordinator: Dr. Ngo Tiong Tak
Designs: Marc Aran Reyes (FEU)
The artist wanted to show Rizal standing with a dove beside him symbolizing Rizal’s aspiration for freedom. The Philippines, like a dove, is meant to be free from all kinds of oppression. Also depicted is the cover of the Noli Me Tangere, one of Rizal’s greatest novels. He also included the elements of the flag: the stars and the rising sun, symbolizing hope and bright future.
Lex Kempo Lacar (FEU)
To show how Rizal became a pillar of the nation, there is a depiction of the colors and elements of the National flag (blue, red, three stars and a sun). The sun also symbolizes Rizal’s peaceful quest for freedom.
Deanne Fernandez (FEU)
The Noli Me Tangere symbolizes Rizal’s writing that has inspired Filipinos and awakened their nationalistic consciousness. The oil lamp stands for enlightenment and reason, which was Rizal’s advocacy in attaining freedom. His face takes center stage as he is the most important part of the design.
(Design on the cache of the First Day Cover)
Ramon Vismonte (Team Manila)
The design is rendered in monochromatic blue, which symbolizes Jose as an advocate of reforms through peaceful and diplomatic means. The solid block at the left stands for the theme, Rizal: Haligi ng Bayan. It also signifies darkness and uncertainties. However, the sun at the background is for hope; suggesting to us to stay strong and be inspired by the legacy of Jose Rizal. The three stars represent Faith, Science and Creativity; things the artist associated with Rizal. The artist believes that that will make our country great. The angle by which Rizal is portrayed, looking up, suggest the feeling of being proud and hopeful for our country. The artist wants to convey the same message to his countrymen, at the same time, to be grateful and learn from the past.
Heinritzh Sales (Team Manila)
The aim of the faceless profile is for us to reflect who Rizal really is and what he has done to our country. The red color symbolizes the courage demonstrated by Rizal in writing his two books, which stirred the nationalistic revolution of his country. The white border represents our former colonial master, Spain. It also represents the theme, Rizal: Haligi ng Bayan. Rizal is placed partially outside the border, symbolizing his contribution in leading his country to independence. The same is applied in the figure 150, wherein it is partially out of the picture, symbolizing our gratefulness and celebration of his life for years to come.
(stamps description taken from NHCP Press Kit)