Culture, history and travelogue in miniature

PHILPOST Director Felipe Hidalgo, Magtibay, Sarino and De la Cruz

They are miniature markers of milestones, tiny records of historical events, little representations of the country’s rich culture, myths and legends, and amazingly diverse flora and fauna.

In the not-so-distant past, stamps—those small, sticky pieces of paper—made communication possible across long distances and wide divides, transmitting not just messages but even parcels and packages.

But to many of today’s wired and plugged generation, steeped in text messaging, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, these have become mere collectibles, pieces to display in albums and admired for their color, unique designs and wide array of themes.

The Philippine Postal Corp. (PhilPost) hopes to introduce a new generation to the charm of letter-writing and the beauty and novelty of stamps through a traveling philatelic exhibition aimed primarily at attracting young mall goers, particularly students.

The exhibit was launched at Robinsons Otis to mark the opening of PhilPost’s first mall branch at Lingkod Pinoy Center.

The choice of the Robinsons Otis branch for the launch was appropriate, as the mall is close to several elementary and high schools, both public and private.

THE 48-SET stamp exhibit will be seen next in Robinsons Santa Rosa.

The exhibit closed at Robinsons Otis last Sunday, but it will be on view next at Robinsons Santa Rosa, Laguna, starting tomorrow until the 21st. It will then be on display at Robinsons Place Angeles and at Starmills on July 24-28 then Robinsons Luisita on July 31-Aug. 4.

PhilPost and Robinsons Malls are encouraging schools near the exhibit venues to view the stamps on show.

A total of 48 stamps are on display, some showcasing native plants and animals and beloved myths and legends, but mostly commemorating important events like the 25th anniversary of Edsa People Power Revolution, the 150th birth anniversary of National Hero Jose Rizal and the canonization of St. Pedro Calungsod.

Student visitors will find the exhibit informative and educational, as every set of stamps on display is accompanied by a short text explaining the design and the reason for its issuance.

Stamps will also be on sale in every exhibit venue.

Josefina M. de la Cruz, PhilPost general manager and chief executive officer, said they may consider making the exhibit even more educational in subsequent stagings by providing handouts that would give a brief history of stamps and the postal service.

Cesar Sarino, PhilPost chair, said they hoped the traveling exhibit would rekindle interest in the postal service and encourage people to avail themselves of the agency’s various offerings, especially now that visiting the post office had been made more convenient by putting it in a mall.

Arlene Magtibay, Robinsons Land Corp. general manager for commercial centers division, welcomed PhilPost to the mall’s Lingkod Pinoy Center that  also hosts the Department of Foreign Affairs, National Bureau of Investigation, Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Home Development Mutual  Fund, Government Service Insurance System, Department of Tourism, Land Registration Authority, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Land Transportation Office.

Photos by KIMBERLY DELA CRUZ