PhlPost to issue scented stamps of Cory paintings

MANILA, Philippines - Rose scented stamps featuring five paintings of former President Corazon Aquino will be sold to the public starting Aug. 1 to mark her fifth death anniversary, the Philippine Postal Corp. (PhlPost) said yesterday.

PhlPost marketing management and support services manager Enrique Tagle told The STAR that the five Cory Aquino stamps were patterned after artworks that the former President gave to four of her friends.

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

Meanwhile, the souvenir sheet will feature the “Rosary and Roses Series” painting that she gave to businessman Manuel Pangilinan.

The two designs for the first day cover cachet will feature the paintings lent by the Aquino family.

Tagle said this is the first time that PhlPost is coming out with a scented stamp.

The local printer Amstar Co. Inc. had to source the scented paper and scented ink from abroad.

The smell of roses would stay with the stamps for one to two years depending on how these would be preserved.

“If the stamp is exposed to the elements, it might lose its scent immediately, but if it is placed inside a sealed glass or inside acid free plastic, then the scent would be preserved longer,” Tagle said.

Mrs. Aquino, mother of incumbent President Aquino, was the country’s 11th president.

She is credited for restoring democracy to the country.

One of her hobbies was painting and flowers were her preferred subject.

Tagle said it took PhlPost a long time to come out with this series because it was difficult to find the paintings of Mrs. Aquino.

She gave away most of her paintings to friends so there are only a few paintings left with her children.

It was Aquino’s close friend and former spokesperson Deedee Siytangco who helped PhlPost get in touch with the paintings’ owners.

Tagle said that even before the stamps are put out in the market, they have been getting numerous reservations.

“This is unique because we have never released something like this. For one, these are scented stamps and this happens rarely. Also, there are only a few paintings of Mrs. Aquino. At least on stamps you would see her paintings,” Tagle said.

The block of four stamps measures 40 mm x 30 mm and each stamp will be sold at P25 each or P100 for four pieces.

Meanwhile, the size of the souvenir sheet is 95 mm x 93 mm and can be bought for P100.

PhlPost printed 200,000 pieces of the block of four and another 7,000 pieces of the souvenir sheet.