New stamps featuring ten exceptional in the fields of art, athletics, and science have been released by the Philippine Postal Corporation.
According to the Post Office, these people were chosen as they dedicated their lives and talents to the country, which they hope can inspire Filipinos and even people of other nationalities who see the stamps. Postmaster General Norman N. Fulgencio said, ” They deserve to be immortalized in our stamps… We are proud of their accomplishments.”
Photo from Philippine Post Office
The stamp line, dubbed “Living Legends – Outstanding Filipinos: Series I,” is based on the theme “Salamat: Pagpupugay sa mga Alamat” (Thank You: A Salute to Legends). The stamps themselves depict pop art portraits of the featured artists, athletes, and scientists. Here is a list of the local talent they honored.
Nora Aunor
Known as the “Superstar” of Philippine cinema and regarded as the People’s National Artist, starred in critically-praised roles in iconic films such as Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976), Himala (1982) and Bona (1985). Award-giving bodies like FAMAS, Gawad Urian, Metro Manila Film Festival, and others have recognized her talents. Her influence in popular culture and Philippines cinema still persists to this day, with her most famous lines like the “walang himala” (“there are no miracles”) monologue and “My brother is not a pig!” still being referenced in TV shows and movies as iconic quotes.
Gloria Romero
This seasoned actress’ works spans decades of iconic roles and movies including Dalagang Ilocano (1954), Nagbabagang Luha (1988) and Tanging Yaman (2000). Romero has also appeared in television shows and and was recognized for her talents by being the first recipient of the lifetime achievement award from the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.
Rosa Rosal
Rosa Rosal, another FAMAS award-winning Filipina actress, is known as the “first femme fatale of Philippine cinema,” having appeared in films such as Fort Santiago (1946), Kamagong (1947), Dagohoy (1953), Sonny Boy (1955), Badjao (1956) and others.
Susan Roces
Before becoming a memorable figure in the catchy generic medicine jingles, Susan Roces was known as the “Queen of Philippine Cinema” and performed in a number of local films and TV shows including Patayin Mo sa Sindak si Barbara (1974), Mano Po (2002) and FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (2015 to present), the longest-running Philippine television show to date with over 1,400 episodes.
Vilma Santos
The current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives is a seasoned actor who made her acting debut as a child in her first film Trudis Liit. Vilma Santos earned the moniker of “Star for All Seasons” with the countless iconic roles under her belt and is rivaled only by Nora Aunor in her lasting effect in pop culture, with famous quotes like “Kung hindi tayo kikilos, sino ang kikilos?” (“If you don’t take initiative, who will?”) and “Respetuhin mo ako bilang tao” (“Respect me as a person”) still fresh in the pop culture psyche decades after the movies have ended.
Romulo Galicano
Galicano is a painter with a wide variety of work including portraits, landscapes, and still life—all of which are distinguished by signature lines—and is known for his technically scholarly and philosophical approach. He has won numerous awards including the 12th Perlas Award on the Valuable Filipino, Cebu City, the Grand Prize Award at the International Portrait Competition by the Portrait Society of America, and First Artist of the Year by the GSIS Museo ng Sining and
Olivia “Bong” Coo
Bong Coo is the most decorated Filipino athlete in any sport, regardless of gender. She is a four-time World Bowling Champion and is so well-known that she’s the first Filipino athlete to have her achievements recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. Since February 2021, Coo has been the Chairwoman of the Philippine Olympic Committee’s Women in Sports Commission.
“El Presidente” Ramon Fernandez
During his career, this Filipino basketball hero and current Philippine Sports Commission commissioner won four PBA Most Valuable Player honors and 19 conference championships. Fernandez, who is 6’5 inches tall, has played for five different teams in his career, including Toyota, Manila Beer, Tanduay, Purefoods, and San Miguel.
Dr. Baldomero Olivera
Dr. Olivera is a chemist known for significant contributions in the fields of DNA biophysics and conotoxins. Many of the significant cone snail poisons were identified by Dr. Olivera, which led to a breakthrough in the study of ion channels and neuromuscular synapses. Dr. Olivera also first characterized E.coli DNA ligase, a key enzyme of DNA replication and repair.
Dr. Ernesto O. Domingo
Dr. Domingo is a National Scientist of the Philippines and professor emeritus of hepatology and gastroenterology at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine. He led important investigations and research on hepatitis and liver disease, helping identify preventive approaches to liver cancer. Dr. Domingo also pushed to make the hepatitis vaccine mandatory and available to all Filipinos, receiving the 2013 Ramon Magsaysay Award for his work.
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