John Paul II Celebration Exhibit in August

A few days after Pope John Paul II passed away, this philatelist came out with a presentation to pay tribute to the great Pope. Interesting stamps and philatelic items from different parts of the globe were exhibited at the Mactan Shrine in Lapulapu City, Cebu; Talisay City Post Office, Talisay City; Ayala Center Cebu in Cebu City and at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation main entrance hall.

The successful exhibit tour also coincided with the launching of Cebu Stamp Club’s official website during the Ayala Center Cebu presentation. It drew a lot of members and was the start of the club’s commitment in bringing stamp collecting to the I.T. level.

On August 28, 2011 at 10:00 in the morning, to celebrate the beatification of John Paul II and to highlight Cebu Stamp Club’s 15 years in promoting philately to everyone, John Paul II Celebration Exhibit, a first-of-its-kind presentation will be launched at Ayala Center Cebu. Featured are the stamps and covers issued in the countries of the world where the late Pontiff has visited and the complete collection of John Paul II’s stamps and philatelic items issued in the Philippines. This exhibit includes large photos of the late pontiff, and the complete images of all the 265 popes in history from St. Peter to Benedict XVI. An interactive presentation, a scale model of St. Peter’s Basilica during the beatification of Pope John Paul II completes the presentation.

The Vatican Postal Administration will be shipping some materials to add that will include the Pope John Paul II beatification issue and the Pope Benedict XVI stamps issued by Vatican Post.

To cut the ceremonial ribbon, the club has thought of inviting His Eminence Jose Palma, the Archbishop of Cebu to do the honors. This will be the biggest presentation that Cebu Stamp Club has embarked so far.

Cebu Stamp Club's June 2011 CSCI Newsletter

These past months had been very hectic for me but in spite of the busy schedule at work and at home. I still found time to sit and come out with fresh issues of the CSCI Newsletter for Cebu Stamp Club.

This latest issue features a lot of interesting and exciting articles. Some of my blogs that I wrote for the month are included for those club members who don't have time to read blogs online.

The CSCI Newsletter is exclusively available only to Cebu Stamp Club members of good standing. To have a copy of the newsletter please send membership or renewal inquiries to cebustampclub_inc@yahoo.com

Canada Adds Third Royal Wedding Stamp

On June 28, 2011 Canada Post comes out with the third installment that will complete the Royal Wedding series.

The domestic Permanent™ stamp shows a candid photo of the newlyweds in their open landau shortly after completing their wedding vows at Westminster Abbey. The stamp will commemorate the first Royal Visit to Canada after their wedding.

“This stamp is an excellent way for Canadians to commemorate the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s first visit to Canada,” announces the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport). “I am pleased and proud that Canada will welcome the Royal Couple on their first official visit abroad.”

USPS Mark Twain Stamp is Now Out

World famous author and humorist Mark Twain was honored on a postage stamp on June 25, 2011 by the United States Postal Service (USPS).

This commemorative First-class Forever stamp is the 27th stamp in the Literary Arts series.

The First Day of Issue ceremony was held at the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum in Hannibal, MO.

Postal Service Board of Governors member James H. Bilbray said that “Our literary tribute this year rightfully honors Mark Twain, author of one of the greatest novels in American literature and the man whom William Faulkner called ‘the first truly American writer’.. Mark Twain was a rarity, as he was one of the first writers to exploit the vernacular voice in his books, using the speech of common Americans.”

Mark Twain (1835—1910), is the author of great works such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is one of the greatest novels in American literature.

The postage stamp portrait features an old Mark Twain; the background showing a steamboat evokes a way of life along the Mississippi River that played a big role in many of Twain’s works, as well as in his own life. Art director and stamp designer Phil Jordan collaborated with stamp artist Gregory Manchess, who based his portrait of Twain on a photograph taken in the year 1907.

New Rizal Stamps Are Out

The Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) came out with commemorative stamp issues on June 19, 2011 to celebrate the sequicentennial birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal.

The Jose Rizal 150th birth centenary issue includes two se-tenant pairs valued at 7p each and a souvenir sheet of 10 at 150p.

The Goethe Institute's 50th anniversary issue highlighting Rizal was also released on the same day. The stamps in a block of four are valued at 7p each.

The Top most images show the stamps for Rizal's 150th birth anniversary and the souvenir sheet that highlights different Rizal monuments in the county, followed by the Goethe Institute stamps featuring Rizal.

Remembering Jose Rizal @ 150

President Benigno Aquino III led the nation in paying tribute to the country’s national hero Dr. Jose Rizal who celebrates his 150th birthday on June 19, 2011.

To formally kick-off the celebration, he led the flag-raising ceremonies at the Rizal ancestral home compound and offered a wreath at Rizal’s statue as a boy. A 21-gun salute in honor of the national hero was accorded by members of the Presidential Security Group.

The President enjoined the Filipinos to emulate Rizal’s heroism and praised him for choosing to do the right thing. “Rizal could have used his wealth and education to become rich and marry any girl he fancied, but he chose to correct the injustices done to the motherland.. Even with the crossroads that he faced, Rizal never strayed away from the right path.” Aquino said.

Furthermore, he adds “For most people, heroism is measured by how we face our everyday struggles.”

The President was presented with five commemorative tokens for the Jose Rizal @ 150 celebration. These are; a certificate of restoration of the Noli Me Tangere by German Ambassador to the Philippines Christian Ludwig Weber Lorssch; the e-Rizal tablet from Gov. Ejercito; a “Rizal at 150” commemorative medal from Central Bank governor Amado Tetangco, Jr.; a “Rizal at 150” commemorative stamp from Post Master General Antonio de Guzman; and a book on the “Lineage, Life and Labors of Jose Rizal” by Tulay Foundation chairman Manuel Chua.

Later, the president unveiled the tallest statue of Rizal together with local officials of Calamba, the hometown of Rizal. The 22-foot bronze monument designed and created by Jonas Roces of Marikina stands on a 6.7-hectare property in front of the Calamba City Hall complex.

Members Gather for the June 2011 Stamp Meetup

It was a rainy Sunday when Cebu Stamp Club members met again for the June 19, 2011 stamp meetup at the second floor of McDonalds Jones, Cebu City.

Together with my son Jerald Kervin Uy, we welcomed everyone including the guest of the day Bob Gooding who came with his wife, Nenita. Bob is an Englishman who presently lives in Australia.

Foreigner members, Kenneth Turner with wife Gina and Edmund Gruenbaum were present too. As usual, Ken brought along his stamp freebies that made all of us busy. Eyan Yu, Sharee Ann Trapa, Ralph Ordiz, Richard Guimbarda and Dinah Potolin who was with her kids got their haul of the day.

During the course of the meeting, I shared to the group the registration fee for the upcoming Cebu Stamp Club @ 15 Grand Reunion which will be held at the Montebello Villa Hotel on August 28, 2011. The choice of food was announced. The mouth-watering lunch buffet would include: cucumber, shrimp & mango salad, fish fillet w/ blackbean sauce, chicken pork adobo w/ potato, mixed vegetables w/ oyster sauce, rice, lechon, chicken inasal, chocolate roll, and soda drinks. For snacks there will be chicken sandwiches with fries and drinks. The formal wear was also mentioned.

The John Paul Celebration Exhibit layout was shown to the members and the ribbon cutting of the exhibit is set on August 28, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Ayala Center Cebu. Members will then proceed to the reunion venue at Montebello Villa Hotel, just an 8-minute ride from Ayala.

Philatelic sharing followed after the new stamp issues for the quarter released by the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) were announced. Check out more photos at Cebu Stamp Club's Facebook page. Just type Cebu Stampclub

Cebu Stamp Club Member Exhibits Rizal in Davao

The people of Davao City got a rare treat when Davao-based Cebu Stamp Club member Renato Adapon (M110001) came out with an exhibit consisting of stamps, coins and paper bills featuring Rizal on June 17 until June 20, 2011.

Photo above shows Rene sharing his cherished Rizal collections to the public.

Security Bank's 60th Anniversary Stamps

The Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) released these commemorative se-tenant stamps highlighting the 60th Anniversary of Security Bank (1951-2011) with a denomination of P 10.00.

This issue came out on June 18, 2011.

Celebrating American Scientists

The United States Postal Service (USPS) dedicates new Forever Stamps honoring four distinguished scientists.

The third in the American Scientists series, the distinguished scientists who dedicated their lives to understanding the fundamental process of nature and made extraordinary contributions to the advancement of science are: chemist Melvin Calvin; botanist Asa Gray; physicist Maria Goeppert Mayer; and biochemist Severo Ochoa.The stamps comes out today, June 16, 2011.

Thomas the Tank Engine Chugs in Royal Mail's Stamps

Royal Mail celebrates the birth centenary of Reverend Wilbert Awdry, the creator of the hit TV show, Thomas and Friends that was first aired in 1984.

This special stamp issue released on June 14, 2011 features the engines as they as they appear on TV and in the original book illustrations.

Relive the adventures of Thomas, James, Percy, Daisy, Toby and Gordon through these beautiful stamps.

Royal Australian Navy Sails on Stamps

Australia Post commemorates 100 years of the Royal Australian Navy with the release of a ‘then and now’ stamp issue.

Featured on the stamps are the HMAS Australia (I), the first flagship of the new Australian fleet which served from 1913-1922; and the HMAS Sydney, one of four Adelaide Class guided missile frigates currently in service.

An image of Boy Seaman Frederick Mills graced the historic stamp. He served in HMAS Australia when it was attached to the British Grand Fleet in World War I. He was killed in action in World War II while serving in the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Acasta.

The contemporary stamp shows 21-year-old Combat Systems Operator, Able Seaman Rebecca Florance who is a recent crew member of HMAS Sydney (IV). The image represents the modern day sailor wearing combat uniform with a headset.

The Royal Australian Navy 1911-2011 commemorative stamp was released on June 12, 2011.

National ICT Month

The Philippine Postal Corporation and the Commission on Information and Communications Technology come up with a special block of four stamps to celebrate June as the National ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Month with the theme, "A Digitally Empowered Philippines".

The event aims to actively promote, enhance and instill nationwide awareness and appreciation on the importance and value of ICT to different sectors. The stamps are valued at P 7.00 and issued on June 13, 2011.

Amnesty International Stamp from Germany

The 50th anniversary of Amnesty International organization is commemorated on a new stamp by German Post on June 9, 2011.

Founded in London and commonly known as Amnesty and AI, Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organization whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."

AAT Iceberg from Australia Post

Australia Post captures the beauty of icebergs, revealing their different shapes, colors, effects and textures.

An iceberg is a large piece of ice from freshwater that has broken off from a snow-formed glacier or ice shelf that floats in open water.

This Australian Antarctic Territory issue that was released on June 7, 2011 was designed by Lynette Traynor.

Ireland's National Parks

An Post issued a set of six stamps that commemorates the national parks of Ireland.

These are Glenveagh National Park in Donegal: Ballycroy National Park in Co Mayo; Connemara National Park in Co Galway; the Burren National Park in Co Clare; Wicklow Mountains National Park in Co Wicklow and Killarney National Park in Co Kerry.

The six stamps issued on June 6, 2011 feature stunning photography by Walter Pfeiffer and designed by Steve Simpson.

Pecs Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra

Magyar Posta celebrates the bicentennial of the foundation of the Pecs Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra.

A special stamp was issued on June 2, 2011 that features the logo of the Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra and an image of composer Johann Georg Lickl.

Born on May 12, 1843, Johann George Lickl was an Austrian composer, organist, a piano teacher and a choirmaster in the church of Pecs until his death in 1807. Most of his works are sacred music that included masses and requiems.

Circus from Romania

A new set of stamps depicting circus is released today by Romfilatelia.

The history of Romanian circus began in Bucharest in 1874 with Gambrinus UL Caragiale founding the first local circus called Sidoli Circus.

The year 1960 to 1970 saw the development of the Romanian Circus Show with jugglers, acrobats, tightrope walkers and illusionists who gave extraordinary and entertaining performances that were greatly cheered by audiences the world over.

Cebu Stamp Club @ 15

Cebu Stamp Club continues to be the premiere stamp collecting group in the Philippines and is among the most active clubs in the world today.

My friends in Manila would tell me that there are no more stamp clubs in the country that has been doing monthly meetups, exhibits, philatelic promotions and activities. It is sad that this is happening to other stamp clubs.

Unlike them, Cebu Stamp Club will prevail. In fact, we will be celebrating 15 years of continued philatelic promotion and activities on August 24, 2011.

Dubbed as Cebu Stamp Club @ 15, two major events are planned such as the Grand Reunion which will be held at the Montebello Villa Hotel, Cebu City on August 28, 2011 at 11:30 AM.

Members from 1996 until the present in formal wear will get to meet each other again. A program will be in place that will include dance and singing numbers, awarding of certificates, giving of giveaways and a stamp auction.

The lunch buffet consists of cucumber, shrimp & mango salad, fish fillet w/ blackbean sauce, chicken pork adobo w/ potato, mixed vegetables w/ oyster sauce, rice, lechon, chicken inasal, chocolate roll, and soda drinks and red wine. Snacks will be chicken sandwiches with fries and drinks.

The John Paul II Celebration Exhibit will open at Ayala Center Cebu an hour and a half earlier before the Grand Reunion at Montebello Villa Hotel.

Cebu Stamp Club members who would like to join the celebration just need to send inquiries for registration details to cebustampclub_inc@yahoo.com

The above image features the official Cebu Stamp Club @ 15 logo which I conceptualized and designed. All rights reserved.