JONG CADION
Senior reporter
Different stamp collections from around the world with some dating as far as the 18th century were displayed for public viewing during the 1st Philatelic Exhibit conducted by the Philippine Postal Office (PhilPost).
Philately is the study of revenue and postage stamps, including the design, production and uses of stamps after they are authorized for issue, usually by government authorities, the most common one being postal authorities.
Philatelists study stamps while a philatelic is a stamp collector.
Held at the Liga ng mga Barangay Convention Center, June 12, the Philatelic Exhibit is a 10-day activity and was timed during the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day.
Mayor Samuel Co led the ribbon-cutting ceremonies and was guest speaker while PHILPOST provincial district manager Geogracias Damuag opened the exhibit, which was attended by other city officials.
“This kind of activity is very important because we can encourage our students to do also some stamp collection. Through stamp collecting, we will know our historical heritage and other information from any country,” Co said in his message.
“These stamps, collected from the 18th century are now very precious, costing thousandss or millions of pesos,” he whispers to this paper in a huddle.
Meanwhile, Postmaster Anavil Faciol also said: “This 1st Philatelic Exhibit initiated by PhilPost in Pagadian is our show of support to the city’s 39th charter day celebration.”
“Our objective also is to identify the stamp collectors, the philatelics in our city to encourage them to continue with their hobbies,” she added.
Seven Philatelics participated in the said exhibit, Faciol said, naming them as first lady Ilang-ilang Fernandez Co, Winston Tan, Toribio Bareto, Dr. Sverino Vista, Dixy Tamin, Aida Rosa Melo and Rolando Suiso.
These people started collecting stamps as early as in their elementary years; some possessed their albums as heirlooms.