My Philippine Stamps

My notebook covered with Phillipine Stamps

Twenty one years ago (the year was 1987), I happened to make a notebook made out of ordinary bond papers glued together with hard cardboards as back and front covers. I then placed Philippine postage stamps on its face to make it more beautiful. Those stamps were taken from the letters or cards I received from friends and relatives as well as from some of the letters sent to our family. Collecting those stamps at that time were merely done for the purpose of covering the said notebook without even thinking that in due time stamps will become (almost) a thing of the past. I am so glad to have found my notebook still in good condition unlike my other things which were all destroyed by the mighty rodents which have the prowess to cut papers into tiny pieces.

 

 

With the change of time, letters sent through the post office is becoming scarce. The mode of sending letters and messages is now easier and faster compared to the olden days.  Text messages sent via the mobile phone and telephone are more common these days  and e-mail messages is the best option for sending messages for those who are living in the other side of the world. If decades ago it took months before one’s message is passed on to other people, now it just takes seconds to get new messages. That’s the wonder of improved (and constantly improving) science and technology. On the other side, only few people receives snail mail and only few people now have the opportunity to see the beautiful stamps on their mail.

 

I am quite fortunate to have collected Philippine stamps during the early years of my life. I appreciate more the beauty and significance of these stamps as it age (with me).

 

The earliest stamp that I have has the face of Jose Rizal, our national hero, with scripture saying “HELP ME STOP SMUGGLING.   Pres. Marcos” and the amount of postage was just five centavos (P.05). Another stamp which is quite old is a brown colored six centavo (P.06) stamp with the official seal of the province of Capiz on it, then the ten centavo  (P.10) stamp with Father Jose Burgos on it.

 

From a mere notebook cover, these stamps will now have its better place and much better presentation. It will become now a piece of artwork, framed, and hanged in the living room for everyone to see.

 

This is one of my many ways to say that I am proud to be Pinoy!