By Liwayway Yparraguirre/PNA
DAGUPAN CITY — The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) has launched a commemorative stamp featuring the Dagupan Doctors Memorial Villaflor Hospital (DDVMH), a privately-owned tertiary hospital here celebrating its 50th founding anniversary this year.
“When we were planning for the 50th anniversary, we came up with several activities like the in-house medical mission for hospital staff and their respective family and medical mission outside the hospital. My brother also suggested for a commemorative stamp hence, we eventually send an application letter to PHLPost for a special seal,” said Dr. Vivencio V. Villaflor, Jr., DDVMH medical director and son and namesake of the hospital founder, in an interview on Monday.
Villaflor Jr., also a philatelist (a person who collect stamps), admitted that he himself has been gathering and collecting stamps for the past 50 years.
One of the highlight activities of launching is the exhibit of the stamp collection of Villaflor.
“Meron kaming grupo noon, ako na lang naiwan sa mga contemporary collectors ko (We used to have a group, but I am the only one left among my contemporary collectors). We exchanged stamps, we buy. Stamp collection is the described as King of Hobbies and the hobby of kings,” Villaflor Jr. said.
He said his stamps are commemorative stamps related to their lives, their affiliation to different clubs, and organizations like Rotary, Inner wheel and Boys Scout of the Philippines.
Among his collections on exhibit are Philippine Stamps issued from 1854 to present; commemorative stamps on the visits to the Philippines of Mother Theresa and Pope John Paul II; General MacArthur stamps (first day of issue: February 4, 1948); a stamp commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Dr. Jose Rizal; a July 4, 1946 Philippine Republic Inauguration Issue; stamps commemorative to the 50th anniversary of the death of General Gregorio del Pilar issued on December 2, 1949; Philippine Boy Scouts Silver Jubilee stamps issued on October 31, 1948; and World Refugee Year stamps issued on April 7, 1960.
“We put these collections for the Pangasinenses to see that they could collect stamps. Kids today are more on Ipad and Facebook, they have no desire to collect stamps. And PHLPost is losing because of email. Stamp collection is good for the new generation, and with more stamp collectors, PHLPost will achieve its goals,” he said.
“The commemorative stamps underscored a milestone in its history as it looks back at 50 years of dedicated service based on the vision of its founding patriarch -Dr. Vivencio Villaflor Sr.,” PHLPost Assistant Postmaster General Luis Carlos, said in his speech during the launching here on Dec. 7.
He said the application of Villaflor Hospital for a special seal passed through a tedious process.
PhilPost has printed 60,000 copies of DDVMH stamp sold at PHP12.00 each since Dec. 7.
The layout of the stamp was done by PHLPost in-house graphic designer Victorino Z. Serevo.
The stamps and official first day cover was made available at the Philatelic Counter, Central Post Office, Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila and selected Area Post Offices, while the last day of sale is December 6, 2019, said Carlos.
