PHLPost introduces Guinness Book’s” largest collection of Pope stamps in an exhibit

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


In celebration of its 32nd Corporate Anniversary, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) launches the Pope Stamps Exhibit featuring Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) Secretary General Kim Robert De Leon’s “Guinness Book of World Records” largest collection of Papal stamps which are on display at Robinsons Manila level 3, lower food court area from April 29-May 04, 2024.

PHLPost commemorated its corporate anniversary with the passing of Republic Act 7354 on April 02, 1992, otherwise known as the Philippine Postal Service Act that paved the way for the corporatization of the Postal Service Office (PSO).

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest collection of stamps featuring Popes is 2,398, and was achieved by Kim Robert De Leon, a Filipino in Navotas, NCR, Philippines, on 22 February 2022.

“We Filipinos are proud of this achievement”, Postmaster General Luis Carlos said.

It was during the pandemic that SecGen Kim increased his Pope Stamp Collections. He started his collection of stamps and covers upon discovering his Pope Francis First Day Cover which he bought from PHLPost shortly after the Papal Visit in 2015. As his collections grew, he got interested in a much larger collection which led him to try his collections to be certified by Guinness.

The stamps were counted on February 22, 2022, on the occasion of the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, the first Pope, at San Ildefonso Parish in Navotas City where he served as member of the Ministry of Lectors and Commentators. His other collection includes stamps featuring Scouts, which is also certified by Guinness, a collection featuring Christmas and the Madonna, among others.

During the program, SecGen Kim, in a Filipino scouting uniform, accepted the Philatelic frame from the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost). He said, “it is an honor for me to be given this opportunity to recognize my work and for my fellow Filipinos to appreciate it which I hope would inspire others especially the youth to collect postage stamps”.

For PHLPost, Postmaster General Luis Carlos said that excitement is now happening in the philatelic (stamps) world with the release of several innovative stamp designs and the soon to be released Philippine Postcards in collaboration with the Philippine’s Department of Tourism.

“The stamps we issued are now appealing and intended to capture not only to philatelists but also to the younger generations as well. We want to showcase the best of our country to the international tourism and local market”, he added.

He noted that in the digital age where communication is mostly virtual, PHLPost needs to innovate, connect and sell these miniature pieces of art in order to attract younger collectors.

“We thank the Robinson’s Group for supporting this event”, Carlos said. The exhibit also honors Filipino Philatelic collectors who have been patronizing the services of the post office, particularly those valuable Philippine Postage Stamps which are considered priceless, being the country’s recorder of history and culture.

Bacolod Film Festival calls for entries

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The Bacolod Film Festival is now accepting script submissions with the theme “Stories with a Smile” or those with a “potential to inspire laughter, warmth, and a renewed appreciation for the brighter side of life.”

The filmfest, set to be held in September this year, is open to filmmakers who are registered voters and residents of Bacolod City. They can be producers, directors, or scriptwriters of an entry.

The festival accepts short film scripts of any genre, such as romance, drama, comedy, or horror, in any Filipino language with English translation. Entries must be submitted on or before May 18, Saturday, 11:59 p.m., after which ten (10) finalists will be chosen.

Selected filmmakers will be given a production grant of 300,000 pesos each, to be released in two tranches, of which the first one is worth 200,000 pesos. The remaining 100,000 pesos will be released once the picture lock version of the film has been submitted.

The total running time of the produced films must be at a minimum of fifteen (15) minutes and maximum of twenty (20) minutes, including opening and closing credits. The short films must be in narrative live action form, when taken as a whole. Documentary, experimental or animation will not be accepted, except if added only as elements within the film.

The Bacolod Film Festival aims to create a venue where local filmmakers and producers can showcase their talents and further solidify Bacolod, known as the “City of Smiles,” as one of the creative hubs for filmmaking in the Philippines.

“Bacolod should be proud of its creatives. We have very artistic directors, and actors,” Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez, who also chairs the Bacolod Film Festival Council, said.

The Bacolod City Council or Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) recently passed City Ordinance No. 1061, or the Bacolod Film Festival Ordinance, authored by Councilor Em L. Ang, with Councilors Cindy Rojas and Celia Matea Flor as co-authors. Councilor Ang, chairperson of the SP Committee on History, Culture and Arts, also serves as BFFC vice chair.

Aside from Mayor Benitez and Councilor Ang, the BFFC is composed of the chair of the SP Committee on Tourism, City Tourism Officer, City Legal Officer, City Budget Officer, Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Officer, Department of Education Division Superintendent, representatives from SM and Ayala Malls Cinemas and the local film industry.

Members of the BFF Organizing Committee and their relatives (up to the second degree of consanguinity) are prohibited from joining the competition. There is no entry fee to participate.

Multiple entries are accepted, but each script must be submitted with a separate entry form and online registration. The selection committee will only consider one entry per finalist.

The short films must have their premiere at the Bacolod Film Festival this September.

Brando Bal Drops New Heartbreaking Single ‘Pangalawang Ulan’

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Filipino rising indie OPM band Brando Bal makes a heartfelt comeback after a 4-year hiatus with their new single ‘Pangalawang Ulan.’

The new track draws inspiration from Brando's college days and his experiences with a girl named Rain. It’s a sequel to their song "Ulan," exploring themes of lost love, unspoken feelings, and regret. With the incorporation of synthesizers, this new Pop Rock track adds a fresh element to the band's music, showcasing their evolving musical style.

Brando contrasts "Pangalawang Ulan" with the original "Ulan," which is about expressing a promise of enduring commitment. However, this sequel track reflects on missed opportunities and regrets stemming from the presence of another person in their lives.

The song's narrative revolves around sentiments of sadness, reflection, and regret, longing for the chance to amend past actions or words of the persona, as expressed in lines like "Kung nasabi lang noon, sana ngayon alam mo ang totoo" (If only it had been said before, perhaps now you would know the truth).

Recorded in Brando's home studio, "Pangalawang Ulan" retains their signature distorted guitars and pop tunes, offering something both familiar and new for their listeners. The song adds excitement with last-minute changes in the bridge, capturing the emotions of those who've faced similar challenges and struggles in love.

"Pangalawang Ulan" is now available on all music streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music, exclusively distributed by Warner Music Philippines.


[Link: https://wmp.lnk.to/pangalawangulan]

[Lyric Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCySeo-ld2Y]

[Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2Zz2esghd8bhZZ4lMqn4zH?si=1p2a1UfOQ6GpVlKbRoDAKw]