MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Postal Corp. (Philpost) on Saturday launched the Iglesia ni Cristo Centennial Commemorative Stamp at the INC Central Office in Diliman, Quezon City, to mark the 100th anniversary of the church’s registration in the Philippines.
Iglesia Ni Cristo’s Templo Central. FILE PHOTO
In ceremonies held at the INC’s Bulwagan, Postmaster General Ma. Josefina M. de la Cruz and Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo unveiled the stamp that features the INC Central Temple and the late Felix Y. Manalo, founder and first executive minister of the INC, in sepia. At the bottom of the stamp is the INC centennial logo in color.
The launch coincided with the 128th birth anniversary of Felix Y. Manalo.
The stamp, 50 millimeters by 35 mm, is bigger than the ordinary-sized 40 mm by 30 mm stamps, which De la Cruz said was “not an arbitrary decision.”
Twice the number
“It passed through certification by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines,” she said.
De la Cruz said Philpost will issue 1.2 million of the stamps, which is more than twice the number of stamps they usually issue for a single design.
After the unveiling, Manalo, De la Cruz and Philpost chair Cesar Sarino participated in the ceremonial signing of the INC stamp’s “first day cover.”
De la Cruz also presented a souvenir frame of the centennial stamp to the INC leader.
In his speech, Manalo noted the significance of the launch date of the centennial stamp in remembering the founder of the INC and his ministry.
Alvin Alcid, chief of the Research, Publications and Heraldry Division of the National Historical Commission, noted that not all organizations celebrating their centennial were given a commemorative stamp.
100 countries in 100 years
The INC originated in the Philippines and has reached more than 100 countries and territories in its 100 years of existence, he said.
Alcid said the commission was also deliberating issuing a historical marker for the INC Centennial this year, in time for its 100th anniversary celebration on July 27.
During the program, De la Cruz said Philpost had discussed the INC’s plan to set up a “selfie stamp” booth at the Philippine Arena during the centennial celebration in Bocaue, Bulacan.
The INC’s Philippine Arena will be the center of the Church’s Centennial celebrations on July 27.—Donna Cueto-Ybañez/Contributor