Year of the Dragon stamps to welcome 2024
The Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) launched colorful commemorative Year of the Wooden Dragon stamps to mark the celebration of Chinese New Year 2024. The Year of the Dragon begins on Feb. 10, and will end on Jan. 28, 2025.
Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the first day of the lunar calendar, and is considered the beginning of spring.
The se-tenant pair features a cartoon-style dragon. The stamps come in P16 and P45 denominations. Meanwhile, the P200 denomination souvenir sheet will prominently display the dragon in a special way, with the usage of gold embellishment. This special feature of the stamp follows the tradition of previous Chinese New Year souvenir sheets that incorporated the use of gold. There will only be 2,500 pieces to be made of the souvenir sheet and only 800 copies of the first-day cover envelopes, making them true collector’s items.
20,000 copies
PHLPost has printed 20,000 copies of the two colorful designs of the regular stamps with denominations of P16 and P45. PHLPost in-house graphic artist Ryman Dominic L. Albuladora did the layout.
The Dragon, fifth of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, is a symbol for yang and is associated with fire. It is believed that the Year of the Dragon will bring happiness to everyone.
In Chinese mythology, the Dragon is a symbol of strength, courage, creativity and innovation. Personality traits and other attributes are often connected with people born in the year of a particular animal.
Postmaster General Luis D. Carlos said, “This Year of the Wooden Dragon will open new doors of opportunities.” This comes as the PHLPost recently announced “the establishment of Barangay Postal Stations nationwide for more efficient delivery; the implementation of the new seven-digit alphanumeric new Zip Code PH from the old four digit that will standardize addressing system in the country; and, the Real Time Visibility system to modernize the delivery and efficiency of its mail operations.”
The stamps, souvenir sheets and official first-day covers are now available at the second floor of Manila Central Post Office Annex Building. —CONTRIBUTED INQ
