MESSAGE – OIC APMG for MMSS – Maximo C. Sta.

Maria III
YEAR OF THE RAT – LUCKY CHINATOWN MALL – 24 JAN 2020

An auspicious New Year to all!

Firstly, the Philippine Postal Corporation would like to thank the esteemed
guests, stamp collectors, and media partners present today. Of course, this
occasion would not be possible without the constant support from Lucky
Chinatown Mall. We express our utmost gratitude to MS. TEFEL PESIGAN-
TOLENTINO, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE MEGAWORLD FOUNDATION for
partnering with PHLPost once more.

PHLPost has been commemorating the Chinese Lunar New Year with a stamp
release since 1993. That means that we have been upholding this tradition for
twenty-seven years now.

Each year that we release these commemorative issues, we highlight the

significance of Chinese culture to Philippine history. For example - the Postal
Service shares an aspect of its existence to the Parian de Arroceros, a settlement
designated by Spanish colonizers to segregate the immigrant Chinese from the
rest of the population in Manila. The Parian was THE site for commerce and
trade - thanks to its location and the industry of the Chinese community
managing the shops within it. The Parian was relocated a few times, and was
ultimately replaced by Calle Escolta as the premier business district. The Manila
Post Office was located in that calle. As the economy grew, so did the volume of
mails and parcels handled by the Postal Service... the Manila Central Post Office
was given a prominent, strategic site to occupy flush beside the Pasig River – the
original site of the Parian.
Aside from that, the Filipino-Chinese community is credited with introducing
industry, which paved the way for a Filipino middle-class. Some the Philippines’
most outstanding legislators, statesmen, and artists came from Chinese mestizo
families.

The stamps we launch today honor the cultural contributions of the Filipino-
Chinese community. The age-old traditions are reflected by the souvenir sheet,
done in traditional red and gold. Meanwhile we look to the future by featuring a
modern, youthful design for the Year of the Rat se-tenant pair. Stamps
showcase only the most significant aspects of Philippine history, art, and culture.
The Filipino-Chinese way of life is one such important part of Philippine heritage.

Like how the Chinatown Museum gives us a glimpse of how commerce and
culture have become part of Filipino-Chinese heritage, PHLPost fulfills its
cultural responsibility in issuing these stamps for the Year of the Rat. The Lucky
Chinatown Mall and the Megaworld Foundation have laid out an admirable
example in sharing history, art, and culture with the public through initiatives
such as the Chinatown Museum. Issuing stamps for each Lunar New Year is a
practice that PHLPost will continue, through this partnership with you – a
collaboration grounded on a mutual advocacy of cultivating an appreciation for
tradition.

Thank you, and a prosperous New Year to everyone!

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