The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost), in partnership with the City of Bago in Negros Occidental, has introduced a new set of commemorative stamps to pay tribute to “The Great Men of Bago,” who were distinguished residents of the city.
The four “distinguished sons of Bago” to be honored as part of Bago City’s 59th Charter Anniversary include:
- Juan Anacleto Araneta, a general who played a pivotal role in the historic Negros Revolution of 1898 and was the founder of the Negros Republic;
- Rafael Salas, who served as the executive secretary to the late former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and was the first head of the United Nations Population Fund;
- Ramon Torres, who held multiple positions, including assemblyman, the first Philippine Labor Secretary, and senator.
- Arsenio Yulo Jr., who was the first city councilor of Bago, a delegate of the 1971 Constitutional Convention, president of the Philippine Bar Association, the first administrator of the Sugar Regulatory Administration, and chairman of the Philippine Estates Authority.
These individuals continue to inspire the people of Bago City, according to PHLPost postmaster general Luis D. Carlos.
“The personalized stamps honoring the Great Men of Bago are a testament to the lasting inspiration they offer to the community. Through their remarkable achievements, the City of Bago and its citizens have been graced with exceptional trailblazers,” Carlos added.
PHLPost unveiled a stamp sheet featuring four stamps bearing the face of “The Great Men of Bago” and the iconic Manila Central Post Office building, along with a commemorative cover. The stamps rendered in sepia, evoke a sense of nostalgia for the bygone era.
The commemorative stamp for Bago City was crafted to honor the significant contributions of notable Bagohons, celebrating their lasting impact on the city’s rich history and proud heritage, as highlighted by the city officials.
PHLPost regularly unveils commemorative and special stamps to mark historic events and honor notable individuals and organizations, ensuring they are etched in history and remembered by the public. These stamps are eagerly collected by enthusiasts, as stamp collecting is a popular hobby and bustling trading marketplace.
During the unveiling of the stamp at a Community Center in Bago City, Carlos highlighted the role of PHLPost in contributing to the progress of the city through its services and encourages entrepreneurs in Negros Occidental, known for its thriving handicraft businesses, to use PHLPost’s Express Mail Service (EMS) to send and further promote their products.
“Many SMEs in Negros Occidental are producing world-class woven products from piña and native handicrafts destined for export. They can leverage PHLPost’s EMS with its competitive rates for their One Town, One Product, further promoting their products both domestically and internationally. SMEs can benefit from PHLPost’s global reach as a member of the 192-strong Universal Postal Union. PHLPost stands ready to support these SMEs in their growth journey,” Carlos said.
The postmaster general also mentioned that PHLPost programs, such as the “Postal Trinity,” will further expand the corporation’s services and enable people, especially those in remote areas, to enjoy the benefits of PHLPost. The Postal Trinity initiative includes plans to establish a postal station in every barangay, implement a new 7-digit ZIP code to improve the delivery of mail and packages and develop the Kartero app (K-App) for real-time tracking of mail and packages.
The “Great Men of Bago” personalized stamps and commemorative covers are part of a limited edition, with only 1,300 personalized stamps and 2,300 covers printed, respectively.
Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo and Vice Mayor Ramon Torres, both descendants of the four honorees, led the unveiling ceremony, accompanied by the PHLPost chief.
