PIA Press Release Monday, January 02, 2012 PhilPost’s 2012 stamps highlight the Dragonby Jell E. Guzman MANILA, Jan 2 (PIA) –- The year 2012 marks the mythical dragon creature. According to the Chinese zodiac, a dragon symbolizes power, strength, and good luck. And to welcome the year of the dragon, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) launches its 2012 commemorative New Year stamps. According to PhilPost postmaster general Josefina Dela Cruz, the new commemorative stamps illustrate the head of a fire-breathing dragon that can be seen in a P7-worth stamp, while the P30-worth stamp illustrates the full figure of a dragon. Dela Cruz also said that the Filipino greeting “Manigong Bagong Taon” as well as its English translation “Happy New Year” are also imprinted on both stamps. She added that the words “2012 Year of the Dragon” are written at the bottom of each stamp design. In a release by PhilPost, around 35,000 stamps were initially printed for both the P7- and P30-worth stamps. Some 5,000 souvenir sheets were also printed at P74 each. This year, the Chinese New Year celebration will take place on January 23. In November last year, President Benigno S. Aquino III issued Proclamation No. 295 declaring January 23 as a special non-working day. (PhilPost/RJB/JEG-PIA NCR) |