MANILA: Rose scented stamps featuring five paintings by former president Corazon Aquino will be sold to the public starting August 1 to mark her fifth death anniversary, the Philippine Postal Corp. (PhlPost) said yesterday.
PhlPost marketing management and support services manager Enrique Tagle said that the five Cory Aquino stamps were patterned after artworks that the former president gave to four of her friends.
The block of four stamps features the Aquino painting “Overflowing with Good Wishes”, which is now in the possession of The Star president and chief executive officer Miguel Belmonte; “Blooms of Unity”, which is with Philippine Economic Zone Authority director general Lilia de Lima; and “Enchanting Blossoms” and “Fifth Painting”, which are with Metrobank Group chairman George Ty.
Meanwhile, the souvenir sheet will feature the “Rosary and Roses Series” painting, which she gave to businessman Manuel Pangilinan.
The two designs for the first day cover cachet will feature the paintings lent by the Aquino family.
Tagle said this is the first time that PhlPost is coming out with a scented stamp.
Local printer Amstar Co. Inc. had to source the scented paper and scented ink from abroad.
The smell of roses would stay with the stamps for one to two years, depending on how they are preserved.
“If the stamp is exposed to the elements, it might lose its scent immediately, but if it is placed inside a sealed glass or inside acid-free plastic, then the scent would be preserved longer,” Tagle said.
Aquino, mother of President Benigno Aquino, was the country’s 11th president.
She is credited for restoring democracy to the country.
One of her hobbies was painting and flowers were her preferred subject.
Tagle said it took PhlPost a long time to come out with this series because it was difficult to find the paintings.
She gave away most of her paintings to friends so there are only a few left with her children.
It was Aquino’s close friend and former spokesperson Deedee Siytangco who helped PhlPost get in touch with the paintings’ owners.
Tagle said that even before the stamps are put out in the market, they have been getting numerous reservations.
THE PHILIPPINE STAR
