PhlPost to reprint Cory scented stamps

MANILA, Philippines - A second set of scented stamps featuring paintings of former President Corazon Aquino will be  issued middle of next year.

The Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) will introduce new stamp technology like thermal printing and stickers turned into stamps.

Postmaster General Josefina de la Cruz said they have discovered that Aquino had many flower paintings.

“We have not yet captured all of them,” she said.

The Cory Aquino scented stamps released in August this year were among their bestsellers, De la Cruz said.

PHLPost said they are inclined to come out with a second set sometime in August next year in time for the commemoration of Aquino’s death anniversary.

Five of her paintings were featured in stamps last August, printed for PHLPost in a block of four stamps and a souvenir sheet.

The block of four stamps featured the Aquino painting “Overflowing with Good Wishes” now in the possession of Philippine STAR president and chief executive officer Miguel Belmonte; “Blooms of Unity” that is with Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Lilia de Lima; and the paintings “Enchanting Blossoms” and “Fifth Painting” that are with Metrobank Group chairman George Ty.

The souvenir sheet would feature the “Rosary and Roses Series” painting that was given to businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan.

De la Cruz said 2014 “has been a good year for PHLPost” wherein their top grossing stamps were the Iglesia ni Cristo’s 100th anniversary stamp; Cory Aquino scented stamps; and the souvenir sheet marking the canonization of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII.

Winners

PHLPost gave yesterday the P15,000 award for each of the four winners of the stamp design contest. They consisted of two professionals and two students.

Professionals Salvador Banares Jr. and Dave Arjay Tan are freelance artists from Valenzuela City.

Bryan Michael Bunag and Marc Leo Maac are fine arts students of the Bulacan State University.

The 27-year-old Banares drew a father and son on the foreground and the picture of Francis in the background.

He said his inspiration is his own life. “I grew up without a father, and the pope is like a father who guides his children,” he said.

If he would be given the chance to meet the pope and present his work, it would be a “happy” encounter, he added.