2011 Philippine Stamp Issues (2nd Quarter)

We stamp collectors were very glad when Philpost resumed coming out with stamps. We were afraid then that the number of issues will dwindle and pre-stamped envelopes (PSE) will come out more often.

The period starting April to June saw a lot of releases once again. The fist release for the quarter was the University of the Philippines College of Law se-tenant pair valued at 7p each. The April 11, 2011 stamp highlighted the centennial celebration with the design showcasing the Malcolm Hall and the UP College of Law logo and the UP College of Law centennial logo.

On April 25, 2011 two stamps were released by Philpost. The first issue celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), a 7p stamp was issued with the design featuring the DBM Complex, DBM Logo and DBM Anniversary Logo. The next one highlighted the 25th anniversary of the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually Reinforcing Institutions(CARD MRI). The 7p stamp has for its design the exchange of money and the CARD MRI anniversary logo.

Wenceslao Vinzons, a politician and leader of the armed resistance against the Japanese occupying forces during World War II was featured on a 7p stamp released on May 3, 2011.

Another set of definitives on Philippine Marine Biodiversity was issued on May 5, 2011. These are the 2p Yellowstripe Snapper, 20p Two banded Anemone Fish, 30p Lipstick Tang, and the 40p Yellow-backed Damselfish.

New pre-stamped envelopes highlighting Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines, Inc. came out on the same day. The set of 2 pse's were priced at 17p and 20p.

On May 10, 2011, the second printing of the Grace Christian College, 60th Anniversary issue was released. The set included a 7p se-tenant block of 4 and 28p souvenir sheet.

A new set of Philippine Marine Biodiversity definitives was issued on May 12, 2011. The stamps feature the 4p Banded Vexillum, 10p Mushroom Coral, 17p Cowfish and 100p Pink Tube Sponge.

Philpost released the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Featuring Philippine Crocodiles on May 16, 2011. The set included a 7p se-tenant block of 4, miniature sheets of 8 in four designs and miniature sheets of 16.

For the sports on stamps enthusiasts, the Arnis, New National Sport stamp set was issued on May 25, 2011. 7p se-tenant pair feature arnis players in colorful uniform and in white uniform. A 28p souvenir sheet featured the similar designs.

One of my favorite issues is the May 30, 2011 Beatification of Pope John Paul II set. The 7p se-tenant block of four shows the Pope at the grandstand in Rizal Park, the Pope at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Main Building, the Pope at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), and the Pope with the Popemobile along Roxas Boulevard. All the designs were Pope John Paul II's 1995 Visit to the Philippines. A 40p souvenir sheet and a 112p miniature sheet of 16 completes the collection.

The Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) – June as National ICT Month issue came out on June 13, 2011. The 7p se-tenant block of four designs feature all the industries that are involved in the information and communications technology such as the Community e-Center, Nationwide Automated Election, Creative Content Industry and the Business Process Outsourcing.

Security Bank celebrated its 60th anniversary through the June 18, 2011 10p se-tenant pair. The designs showcase the corporate headquarters of Security Bank located at Plaza Goiti, Manila in 1951 and its present location at Ayala Avenue, Makati City and the evolution of the corporate logo through the years.

The whole nation celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of the national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal on June 19, 2011. The Jose Rizal @ 150 stamps were released on the same day to commemorate the event. The 7p se-tenant pairs feature Rizal while the 150p souvenir sheet shows the different Rizal monuments here and abroad.

The last issue for the quarter was the Goethe Institut Philippinen, 50th anniversary stamps. Also released on June 19, 2011, the 7p se-tenant block of four stamps feature Jose Rizal's statue in Wilhelmsfeld, Germany; the fountain donated by the German government now found at the Luneta Park; the house where Rizal lived when he was in Germany and the street was named after him “Jose Rizal StraBe; and the colors of the German and Philippine flags, celebrating the deep and continuing friendship between the two countries whose cultural ties have remained strong for more a century.