MANILA – Asia’s First Grandmaster, Eugene Torre, and World 9-ball/World 8-ball champion, Efren “Bata” Reyes, will be the next Filipino sports icons that will be featured on a postage stamp.
Both are next in line in the “Salamat: Pagpupugay sa mga Alamat” stamp series honoring modern-day Philippine heroes.
“I have been collecting Stamps for almost 40 years now. It is another hardcore passion of mine. If I remember it right, only 3-4 pieces have depicted cue sports since the first Philippine postage stamp made its debut in 1854. And the news that my very good friend, on and off the billiard circuit – the kid (Efren “Bata” Reyes) who did good and made good – will be featured on a postage stamp brings so much joy and gladness in my heart. More so, in the hearts of millions of fans here and around the world,” Makati Pool Players Association (MAPPA) official and world-renowned blogger Leslie “Anito Kid” Mapugay said.
“Our fellow countryman Asia’s First Grandmaster Eugene Torre who was recently inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) keeps inspiring young Filipino chess talents,” Noel Jay Estacio, one of the leading chess players from San Dionisio, Iloilo, added.
Philippine basketball legend Robert “Sonny” Jaworski, six-time World Bowling Champion Paeng Nepomuceno, and award-winning actress and singer Lea Salonga were also chosen to be commemorated in stamps and postcards to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first postage stamp in the Philippines according to Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio. (PR) – bny
