Postal offices in Asean region to hold stamp design contest

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Postal Corp. and other postal offices in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be holding a stamp design contest next month, PhlPost said yesterday.

The winning design would be used as a commemorative stamp for the “ASEAN Community” next year.

The artistry and ingenuity of Filipinos would again be put to the test as they compete with entries in the stamp design contest from the ASEAN member-countries.

The 10 ASEAN member-countries are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

The Philippines has committed, along with other member-countries in the ASEAN, to issue a set of stamps based on the theme “One Vision, One Identity, One Community.”

“This contest aims to produce more talented Filipinos in international competitions and bring honor and pride to the country,” PhlPost postmaster general Josefina dela Cruz said.

Entries from the Philippines had been receiving awards in postal related competitions.

PhlPost won the People Management category in the World Mail Awards 2014 held in Berlin last June.

Last month, 11-year-old Ashley Nicole Abalos bagged the bronze prize in the 2014 International Letter-Writing Competition for Young People.

The stamp design contest, which will run until Sept. 15 this year, is open to high school and college students, artists and other interested parties.

Entries must be made on a white illustration board sized 18 inches by 18 inches. Rendering should be by pastel on paper or canvass, oil or acrylic. Computer-generated artwork and photographs will not be allowed. A brief narrative interpretation should accompany the entries.

Only three entries will be chosen and winners will receive P5,000 for first prize; P3,000, second prize; and P2,000, third prize.

PhlPost will send the winning design to Thailand as the country’s official entry to the “Joint Issue of ASEAN Community Commemorative Stamp.”

The prize for best design is $1,000. The prize for best postmark design is $500.

Entries will be judged based on originality, relevance to the contest’s theme, visual impact and artistic method.

Entries may be submitted through Domestic Express Mail Service or Express Pouch Service addressed to the ASEAN Community Commemorative Stamp Design Contest, PhlPost, Post Shop, Philately and Museum Division, 3rd Floor, Manila CPO Building, 1000 Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila.