PHLPost unveils commemorative stamps in honor of Olympic medalists

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) on Saturday unveiled its commemorative stamps in honor of the Filipino champions who made history at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The stamps featured the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medalist weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, silver medalists boxers Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, and bronze winner Eumir Marcial.

During the launch held at the Manila Central Post Office Building, Postmaster General and CEO Norman Fulgencio said each stamp featured the winning moments of the athletes.

“Napakasarap ng pakiramdam na ilan sa ating kababayan ay nakapag-uwi ng karangalan at nagbigay ng inspirasyon sa ating bayan. Ito ang nagbunsod sa amin dito sa Philippine Post Office na maglabas ng postage stamp o selyo na naglalaman ng larawan ng tagumpay na nakamit ng ating kababayan sa nakaraang Tokyo Olympic Games,” Fulgencio said.

[It feels great that some of our countrymen have brought home honor and given inspiration to our nation. This is what led us here at the Philippine Post Office to issue postage stamps or seals that feature the images of the winning moments of our countrymen during the Tokyo Olympic Games.]

“The stamps featuring the winning moments of our very own first Olympic gold medalist Ms Hidilyn Diaz and her fellow Team PIlipinas Olympic medalist and boxing champions Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial remind us how important they are to be recognized properly in what they are doing to keep our Philippine flag high and shining in the world of sports. The glory they have given to our nation and to the Filipino people is priceless,” he added.

Present during the launch were the champions themselves—Diaz, Petecio, Paalam and Marcial.

In their speeches, Petecio, Paalam, and Marcial thanked the organization, their supporters and the Filipino people.

“Sa lahat sa inyong mga Pilipino, gusto ko po [magpasalamat] sa inyong suporta at sa inyong dasal para sa aming laban. Part po kayo sa aming pagkapanalo so maraming, maraming salamat po,” Marcial said.

[To all the Filipino people, I would like to thank you for your support and your prayers during our fights. You are part of our win so thank you very much.]

Diaz, meanwhile highlighted the importance of communication during these times.

“Sa panahon ngayon ng social media at internet sana magkaroon parin tayo ng espasyo at ugnayan katulad ng pagsusulat gamit ang stamp o selyo,” she said.

[In this time of social media and the internet, I hope we still have the space and connection similar to writing using stamps or seals.]

“Ngayong panahon ng pandemya, kahit hindi tayo nagkikita-kita, ituloy natin pag-iinspire at pagbibigay ng pag-asa at pagpababayani ... maraming maraming salamat po sa karangalan na ito. Part na ito ng history, hindi lang ng sarili ko o ng mga atletang nandito kundi tayong lahat na mga Pilipino,” she added.

[During this time of pandemic, even if we don’t see each other, let’s continue inspire and give hope and heroism to others ... thank you so much for this honor. This has become part of history, not only for me or for the athletes here, but for all us Filipinos.]

PHLPost on Saturday also launched a series of stamps promoting vaccination against COVID-19, describing it as the “first stamp of its kind in the world.”

According to Fulgencio, the “vaccinated” stamp is the second in its COVID-19 series, the first of which was issued last year and featured the country’s frontline heroes. – RC, GMA News