In time for the Palarong Pambansa which will be held starting today, April 23-29 in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique Province, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) issued special postage stamps honoring sporting icons and Philippine Olympic Silver Medalists’ Anthony Villanueva, Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco Jr., and Hidilyn Diaz.
“ As PHLPost commemorates its 25th corporate Anniversary, we are issuing the special “strip of three” postage stamps to inspire the youth to excel in their chosen sports following the footsteps of sports great athletes’ Villanueva, Velasco and Ms. Diaz. “, Postmaster General Joel Otarra said.
PHLPost wanted to make sure that Filipinos who have brought pride and honor to the country will never be forgotten and their greatness will forever be imprinted in the hearts and minds of our countrymen through the postage stamps.
Postage stamps have been used around the world to commemorate, in miniature, significant events and people. The value of stamps increased with time, turning it into an important part of a country’s identity.
Boxer Anthony Villanueva won the country’s first silver medal at the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics.Villanueva died of heart attack on May 13, 2014.He was 69.
The feat was echoed by Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco when he won the country’s second silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. He competed in the men’s 48 kg. (light-flyweight) boxing category. Retired from boxing, he is working full time as an actor.
Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz won the Olympic Silver medal at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. Diaz is the first Filipina to win an Olympic medal since the Philippines started participating in the Games in 1924. She ended a 20-year medal drought since 1996.
The postage stamp features the colorful images of the three Filipino sports icons in their winning moments after their triumph in the Olympic competition.
PHLPost releases the first day of issue of the said stamps today April 23, 2017 during the opening of the Palarong Pambansa. The postal service printed 103,500 copies to be sold at P12 each. About 6,000 pieces of the P55 peso denomination of the limited edition souvenir sheet were also issued by PHLPost.
The stamps, miniature and souvenir sheets together with the official first day cover will be available starting Monday, April 24 at the Post Shop, Central Post Office, Door 203, Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila and area post offices nationwide. For inquiries, please call 527-01-08 or 527-01-32. (Press Release)