MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Postal Corp. (PPC) is set to launch and will start selling 70,000 pieces of se-tenants posthumous postage stamps of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino on Sept. 8 at the EDSA Shrine.
In a statement, the PPC said they would be releasing se-tenants postage stamps, or two pieces of stamps that are joined together but bearing different designs, in honor of the former leader.
PPC Postmaster General Hector RR Villanueva said that the Cory Aquino stamps were in “remembrance of her achievements before her incumbency when she led the 1986 People Power Revolution.”
“(This) is for returning freedom and democracy to our country during her tenure, including fighting off several coup attempts to unseat her, must never be forgotten by all Filipinos,” he said.
Villanueva is hoping that the stamps would serve as a permanent reminder to all Filipinos, those present and future generations, of her valuable contribution to the country.
The launching is set on Sept. 8 after the 12 noon Mass at the EDSA Shrine also known as the Shrine of Mary, Queen of Peace. This day would also mark the 39th day of Aquino’s passing.
The event would also coincide with the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mrs. Aquino is a known devotee of Mother Mary.
There would be a ceremonial unveiling and presentation of stamps frame to the Aquino family. Menchit Ongpin, a relative of the Aquinos, and University of Fine Arts professor Marco Ruben Trinos Malto II would also receive smaller versions of the stamp frame.
Ongpin contributed one of the photos while Malto conceptualized and finalized the design of the legacy stamps.
Four hundred pieces of first day cover (FDC) envelopes would be given as a special gift to the Aquino family. A limited number would be made available for sale during the launching, strictly for those who have been invited to the affair.
The production of the stamp was coordinated with Rapa Lopa, nephew of Mrs. Aquino, who is also the executive director of the Benigno Aquino Jr. Foundation.