PHL Post, Israel mark PHL rescue of Jews via stamps

The Philippines and Israel commemorated the rescue of Jews by Filipinos during the Holocaust with stamps.

 

Last Jan. 27, the Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) released the Philippines-Israel joint commemorative stamps to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust.
 

“Through these stamps, the Philippine Postal Corporation remembers the humanitarian act of the Filipino people in opening the doors to the Jewish people fleeing the Holocaust in Europe as well as the strong and enduring friendship between the Philippines and Israel,” Postmaster General Josefina dela Cruz said.

 

PHLPost printed 55,000 pieces of the commemorative “the Philippine Rescue of the Jews from the Holocaust."

 

It used imported unwatermarked paper by security paper and sold the stamps at P35 each.

 

Highlighted by the commemorative stamps was the historic “Philippine Rescue of the Jews from the Holocaust,” PHLPost said.

 

It said that in the late 1930s, the Philippines led by then President Manuel Quezon, Colonel Dwight Eisenhower, US High Commissioner Paul McNutt, and the Frieder brothers, Morris, Herbert, Philip, Henry and Alex coordinated the rescue of more than 1,300 Jews who fled Germany and provided refuge and a new life in the country.

 

"The Stamps feature the national flag of the Philippines and Israel including the attractive and imposing 'Open Doors' monument in Rishon Lezion Memorial Park located in Tel Aviv, Israel. It was built in 2009 to honor the historic and spiritual ties between the two countries, and appreciate the Philippine government’s assistance to the Jewish people during their darkest moment," PHLPost said.

 

It added the Israel Post also produced a similar stamp, with same day of issuance. They printed the word “Israel” in English, Hebrew and Arabic.

 

The stamp, which measures 40 mm x 30 mm, and souvenir sheet shall be available at PHLPost post shops, post offices nationwide, and online via Pinoy eMall. — Joel Locsin/ VC, GMA News