Calabarzon, UAE entries top PHLPost’s Mama Sita stamp design tilt

Three entries from the Calabarzon region and one from a Filipino in the United Arab Emirates topped a stamp design competition centered on culinary icon Teresita "Mama Sita" Reyes, the Philippine Postal Corp. said Tuesday.

PHLPost said the winning designs will be part of the third installment of the five-year series of PHLPost stamps honoring Mama Sita.

The five-year series ends 2017, the culinary icon's 100th birth anniversary.

Topping the design tilt were:

• Emmanuel Emnace of Binangonan Rizal (untitled)
• Chi Panistante of Dubai, UAE (Deep Pride)
• Evan Titus Paul Labrador of Los Baños Laguna, (Tapestry)
• Charity Rico Dultra of Bacoor, Cavite (Suot-suot ang lasang nanunuot sa bawat Pinoy at may pusong Pinoy)

“We take pride in presenting the winning designs made by talented young Filipino artists who will help propagate the legacy of culinary icon Teresita 'Mama Sita' Reyes through a series of postage stamps to be issued by PHLPost on this occasion,” said Postmaster General Josefina dela Cruz.

Philippine Stamp Committee

PHLPost said the four winners presented their work to dela Cruz and the Philippine Stamp Committee, composed of members from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, National Commission for Culture and Arts, and the Philippine Philatelic Federation.

The Philippine Stamp Committee approves the issuance of stamps before a design is printed.

Mama Sita

PHLPost's stamp series immortalized Mama Sita and her efforts to bring Filipino cuisine to the international stage.

Reyes was born in Manila on May 11, 1917. She was the eldest daughter of the founders of the Aristocrat restaurant chain. — Joel Locsin/BM, GMA News