In 24 October 2002, as the world was busy celebrating the International Year of the Mountain, little did we know that the Philippine Postal Corporation commemorated the event with a souvenir sheet stamp. Stamp featured Mt. Guiting Guiting valued at P 22.00 per stamp. The 95mm x 70mm sheet was designed by Alfredo delos Santos and printed by Amstar Company, Inc. It was printed via Litho-Offset 4 color process.
In the Philatelic Bulletin issued by the Postmaster General Nicasio P. Rodriquez, Jr, it cites “Mt. Guiting Guiting rises 2,058 meters above sea level. Located at Marigondon, Sibuyan Island, Romblon, Mt. Guiting Guiting is probably the only remaining mountain in the country today to boast of a complete habitat at the slope.
Derived from the local term meaning “saw-tooth,” Mt. Guiting Guiting is noted for its spectacular panoramic scenery and varied wildlife. It has also some to known as an enchanting center of biodiversity. Thus, the attributes of Mt. Guiting Guiting are perfect complements to the objective and vision of the United Nations’ Year of the Mountains. And this is our country’s share in the conservation of the mountain’s natural habitat and the preservation of our remaining forestlands.”
These stamps and Official First Day covers were made available starting 24 October 2002 at the Philatelic Division, Door 203, Liwasang Bonifacio, 1000 Manila and all Regional Offices of the Philippine Postal Corporation.
2 June 2003, as part of the Philposts continuing information drive on Philippine Mountains, it issued a set of topical stamps and souvenir sheets featuring Mt. Makiling, Mt.Kanlaon, Mt. Kitanglad, Mt. Mating-oy in Kalinga, Mt. Iraya in Batanes, Mt. Hibok-Hibok in Camiguin, Mt. Apo in Davao del Sur, del Norte and Cotobato and Mt. Sto Tomas in Benquet. 12,500 copies of the souvenir sheets with a denomination of P 24.00 were produced 200,000 of the various series of Philippine Mountains at P 6.00. First day of issue was 16 June 2003, last day of issue or as stocks allow was on 16 September 2003. Postmaster Diomedia P. Villanueva released the Philatelic Bulletin.
To the advocates of mountain preservation, this feature by the Philpost is significant as it puts the mountains in philatelic; the collection and study of postage and imprinted stamps. Stamps tell stories and chronicle events. In years to come, when the future trekkers look back at the past, they will discover that our mountains once upon a time had an imprint in stamps as part of our history of Philippine resources. As our post office moves an estimated annual mail of 2 million, the limited run of 12,500 perforated sheets would have reached a total of .63% letter senders and hopefully awed by the beauty of Mt. Guiting Guiting and our other mountains.
-tochs 27Nov2004
-Thanks to Aling Nita of Door 203 of the Philatelic Division who kindly accommodated my requests on a Saturday afternoon enlightening me on the value of Philatelic.
-If you wish to receive a copy of the commemorative stamp, send me a private mail (tochs@excite.com) stating your postal address. Include your Zip Code to facilitate speedier processing. (Limited issuance only).
-Support the Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC). It establishes, operates and maintains post offices and provides safe, fast, reliable and efficient postal services in the country. Last 5 November 2004, the PPC is now 106 years old.
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Stamp prices as sold in the post office:
Guiting Guiting Commemorative Sheet P 22.00
Philippine Mountains Commemorative Sheet P 24.00
Philippine Mountains Topical Stamps P 96.00
Philippine Waterfalls Topical Stamps P 96.00
Other references on how the stamps look:
http://www.manila-galleon.com/philphilat/philpost/2003/page35html
http://www.geo.uw.edu.pl/HOBBY/STAMP/MOUNT/pilipinas.htm
http://www.manila-galleon.com/philphilat/philpost/2003/page21.html
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