Pope Francis on Phl stamps

A block of four stamps commemorating the visit of Pope Francis was launched on Thursday, Jan. 8, by the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) headed by Josie dela Cruz. 

“Some 120,000 copies at P10 each were sold a few hours after they were released on the same day,” reported Funfare contributor Celso de Guzman Caparas, a stamp collector. “Luckily, I was able to buy one full sheet and one First Day Cover (FDC) before it went out of stock.”  

A philatelist since elementary school days, Celso owns an extensive collection including the Royal wedding philatelic items of Princess Diana and Prince Charles, and of Misses World and Misses Universe on stamps, featured in Funfare on Nov. 28, 2003, and May 26, 2004, respectively; and 2013 Miss World Megan Young’s stamps (on Feb. 26, 2014).

The stamps feature four exceptional, winning art pieces in the nationwide “Papal Visit Stamp” on-the-spot design competition, with the theme “A Nation of Mercy and Compassion,” and participated in by more than 800 students and professionals on Oct. 24 last year.  

The good news is that, due to the overwhelming demand from local and overseas collectors and memorabilia hunters, PHLPost will release more copies of the stamps before the arrival of Pope Francis along with a souvenir sheet featuring a coinage stamp, a first of its kind, to be printed in 3D embossing and hot foil process. The souvenir sheet will be the third release featuring Pope Francis. The first release was on March 21, 2014, a PHLPost and Vatican City joint issue, bearing the image of Pope Francis (born Jorge Mario Bergoglio) celebrating the second year of his Pontification. Designed by Victorino Z. Serevo, the stamps were printed on litho-offset processing on imported un-watermarked paper and measure 30mm x 40mm with 14 perforations.

Noted Celso, “Pope Francis is the third Pontiff to be immortalized on Philippine stamps and other philatelic items. The other two were Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II.” 

A touching poem by a 15-year-old kid

Here’s another interesting item sent to Funfare by STAR contributor Edu Jarque who said he got it from a “concerned grandma residing in the Philippines with grandchildren growing abroad.” It was written by a 15-year-old kid who got an A+ for his entry. The Lord’s Prayer is not allowed in most public schools in America anymore because the word “God” is mentioned and the kid in Winnipeg wrote the piece for a new school paper.

Now I sit me down in school

Where praying is against the rule

For this great nation under God

Finds mention of Him very odd.

If scripture now the class recites,

It violates the Bill of Rights.

And anytime my head I bow

Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,

That’s no offense; it’s a freedom scene.

The law is specific, the law is precise.

Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall

Might offend someone with no faith at all.

In silence alone we must meditate,

God’s name is prohibited by the United States.

We’re allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,

And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.

Guns are allowed, but not the Bible.

To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,

And the “unwed daddy” our Senior King.

It’s “inappropriate” to teach right from wrong,

We’re taught that such “judgments” do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls,

Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.

But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, 

No word of God must reach this crowd.

It’s scary here I must confess,

When chaos reigns the school is a mess.

So, Lord, this silent plea I make:

Should I be shot; my soul please take!

Amen.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)