The Philippine Postal Corporation (Post Office) will immediately release a stamp in honor of the extraordinary and historic achievement made by Hidilyn Diaz, the first Filipino Olympic gold medalist.
“It is our mandate and protocol to immediately issue a stamp in honor of personalities who excelled in sports or in any other arena,” Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio said.
“Hidilyn, your feat made us all proud. The Philippines’ long wait for its first Olympic Gold stamp since we joined the Olympics in 1924 finally happened. You made history for the Philippines, the sports world, and the Philippine Post Office,” he added.
He added, “Right after the win, I was so elated and called on our creative team to start designing the first Olympic Gold stamp and shared the good news [with] Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.”
The Post Office wants to make sure that Filipinos who have brought pride and honor to the country will never be forgotten and their greatness will forever be imprinted in the “hearts and minds of our countrymen” through postage stamps.
Fulgencio also said: “The Post Office want the public to experience the victory and excitement of this historic win and even inspire young people to excel in their chosen sports following the footsteps of our own Filipino pride, Ms. Hidilyn Diaz. This is our own way of honoring and acknowledging [her] great effort and contribution to society.”
Postage stamps have been used around the world to commemorate, in miniature, significant events and people. The value of stamps increases with time, turning it into an important part of a country’s identity. (PHLPost) – jlo