In celebration of the Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines, Church and government officials and philately enthusiasts recently gathered together for the special launch of the Papal Visit stamps and exhibit at The Block, SM City North Edsa.
chairman Cesar Sarino and postmaster general and
chief executive officer Hon. Ma. Josefina M. dela Cruz,
andFelicidad Sy during the unveiling of the Pope
Francis Special Coinage Stamp exhibit at The Block
at SM City North Edsa. Also shown in photo are Bishop
Honesto Ongtioco of the Diocese of Cubao,
Archbishop of Jaro, Iloilo Angel Lagdameo,
Archbishop of Davao Romulo Valles, and the
51st International Congress Committee’s Elvira Yap Go.
The Pope Francis Special Coinage Stamp is a rare souvenir sheet special coinage stamp in honor of the Official State Visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Philippines. This gold circular stamp features the smiling pope with the words “Pilipinas,” “Pope Francis Visit to the Philippines 2015,” and “Mercy and Compassion.” The printing technology used for this one-of-a-kind stamp is 3D embossing hot copper foil with a limited production of 7,000 pieces only. This coinage stamp, which measures 9cm x 9cm, will be sold at P200.
During the launch, His Eminence Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle encouraged the crowd to continue writing letters, as “each stamp represents a story of a nation, and each letter holds a story of a person.”
A joint project of the Philippine Postal Corporation and SM City North Edsa, the special launch was highlighted by the signing of the Official First Day Cover of the stamps, a collectible envelope sold only during the launch. It also featured an exhibit of the Block of Four Stamps featuring the winning entries of the PHLPost on-the post design, as well as a special lighted Rosary made of stamps with the image of Pope Francis.