Papal letter writing campaign launched

CEBU, Philippines - Even if Cebu is not included in the itinerary of visit of Pope Francis next year, Philippine Post Corporation and the Department of Education have launched the Papal Visit Letter Writing Campaign.

The event is part of creating awareness about the papal visit and to strengthen the faith of Filipinos in God. Aside from the letter writing, PHLPost will also launch limited and special stamps of Pope Francis in January.

Part of the campaign is to encourage the public to write Pope Francis as support for his visit primarily to comfort Filipinos devastated by the typhoon and earthquake.

The letter will be entitled “Dear Pope Francis.” A committee of PHLPost will then choose the best letter that will be presented to the pope during his visit from January 15 to 19 next year through Postmaster General Josie Dela Cruz.

“Anything you want to tell and express to the pope pwede kaayo but we have to choose the best letter,” Rachel Betos, information officer of the Philippine Post Corporation (PHLPost). 

The writing will be in English but PHLPost will have it translated for those who will write it in their own dialect.

Mechanics include originality, unpublished, and new. The letter should also consist of the basic elements like heading, salutation, body of the letter, complimentary clause, and signature.  

On a separate sheet of paper, the participant should indicate his personal details like the complete name, home address, gender, age, birth date and contact number.

Deadline will be on December 5.

PHLPost has designated mailboxes at selected post offices, major universities, and malls in Manila, Cebu, Davao and Tacloban City.  Along with the event, a papal stamp exhibit will be set up in universities and other public areas, including Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño, in Cebu City from January 5 to 9, and in SM Tacloban City from January 12 to 20, 2015.   (FREEMAN)