Manuel Conde commemorative stamps released

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) recently came out with a stamp on National Artist for Cinema Manuel Conde, on the commemoration of his birth centenary.

Conde was declared a national artist by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in 2009.

In a statement, PHLPost Postmaster General Ma. Josefina Dela Cruz said that the “PHLPost pays tribute to the birth centenary of National Artist for Cinema Manuel Conde and his contribution to the preservation and promotion of the arts in our country and to the world.”

He was born on Oct. 9, 1915 and was named Manuel Urbano. He grew up and studied in Daet, Camarines Norte. He died on Aug. 11, 1985.

In his biography posted in the NCAA website, Conde has more than 40 films created from 1940 to 1963, and contributed to a great degree in the indigenization of the cinema. He specifically assigned a history and culture of its own, revitalizing folk culture with urgent issues, and applies fresh themes and new techniques through his films among others. 

His major works includes Ibong Adarna (1941), the satiric character, Juan Tamad (1947), Siete Infantes de Lara (1950), Genghis Khan (1950), Ikaw Kasi! (1955) and Juan Tamad Goes to Congress (1959).

These movies opened the vistas of the Filipino film to other cultures; they also unlocked the doors of western cinema to the Filipino film, allowing its entry into one of the most prestigious film festivals of the globe. Later, when these films were bought by foreign distributors they were exhibited in all parts of the cinematic world of the time, establishing the presence of the Filipino cinema in the eyes of that world.

The special commemorative stamp would be sold at P10 each and about 65,000 copies were printed by Amstar Company, Inc. measuring 40 X 30mm.

The stamps and official first day cover are now available at the Post Shop, Central Post Office, Door 203, Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila and area post offices nationwide.