Stamps honoring Olympic, COVID-19 heroes launched

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) officially launched yesterday the stamps honoring the country’s first ever Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and her fellow medalists in the Tokyo Olympics, as well as the “Keep the Faith, Be A Hero” stamps, which aim to encourage the public to get vaccinated.

PHLPost general manager and CEO Norman Fulgencio said that they came up with the official stamps of Diaz,
silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam and bronze medalist Eumir Marcial as they brought pride to the Philippines in their successful stint at the Tokyo Olympics.

“Every stamp and piece of mail tells a story; the images in stamps offer a fresh and engaging story of Philippine history, culture and identity. We never fail to capture the interpretation of Filipino experience and historic moments in portraying incredible individuals, events and geography,” Fulgencio said.

He thanked the athletes for inspiring Filipinos to rise and unite in the fight against COVID-19.

“Truly, sports have the power to change the world and inspire people to unite in facing adversity and uncertainty,” he added.

He also emphasized that the stamps bearing the images of the winning moments of Diaz, Petecio, Paalam and Marcial will remind every Filipino of the importance of proper recognition for their efforts in keeping the Philippine flag flying high and shining in the world of sports.

“The glory they have given to our nation and to the Filipino people is priceless,” Fulgencio continued.

PHLPost also launched the “Keep the Faith, Be A Hero” stamps, which Fulgencio claimed to be  the first postage stamp in the world to be issued by a postal administration that aims to encourage and promote vaccination to save lives, the economy and the country from the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that it is the second “hero stamp” that they have issued amid the pandemic, next to the one they issued in 2020, honoring frontliners in the Philippines.

“We are one in encouraging everyone, get vaccinated,” Fulgencio said.

In her speech, Diaz thanked PHLPost for the opportunity and the privilege to have her winning moment in the Tokyo Olympics become one of the stamp designs, and thanked Filipinos for their support.

Diaz urged the public to continue patronizing PHLPost, sending letters to their loved ones using postage stamps and inspiring others despite the restrictions on movement due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“Keep the faith. In these times of social media and the internet, I hope we can still have space, a connection like with writing mail and using a stamp or seal. In this time of pandemic, even if we don’t see each other, let’s continue to inspire or give hope, and be heroes,” she said in Filipino.

“Thank you for this honor. This is a part of history not just for myself and my fellow athletes here, but for all Filipinos,” Diaz added.

Just like Diaz, Petecio, Paalam and Marcial also thanked the PHLPost for the honor given to them, as they reminded the public to keep their faith in God and not lose hope.