Showing all posts tagged philately

In Blogging and the Web, Expat Life, Geek Talk, hobby, Sreisaatv2

Sunday Stamps: Let’s Talk Pinoy Komiks Superheroes

Author sreisaatPosted on 4 Comments

Hey fellow stamp enthusiasts! This week’s Sunday Stamps takes us on a trip to my homeland, the Philippines, one of the countries in the mighty Eastern Hemisphere. The Philippines first competed in the 1924 Olympics held in Paris, making us the first country in Southeast Asia to compete, and later, in 1928, win medal. This year, 22 Filipino athletes will compete in nine sports: athletics, boxing, fencing, golf, gymnastics, judo, rowing, swimming, and weightlifting.

On to today’s stamp: Today’s star is a First Day Cover featuring none other than one of the iconic komiks (comics) superheroes of the Philippines! Back in 2004, the Philippine Post issued stamps dedicated to these “Great Achievers in Philippine Art (Comics Illustrators)”. Let me tell you, when I saw my favorite komiks heroes plastered on stamps, it was like a childhood dream come true! Big thanks to my good friend, Myron, for this awesome FDC!

Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. The left side of the envelope showcases some legendary Pinoy comics superheroes:

  • Dyesebel: The coolest mermaid you’ll ever meet (sorry, Ariel). ‍
  • Kulafu: Our very own Tarzan swinging through the Filipino jungle.
  • Lapu-Lapu: A true legend – a superhero inspired by the real-life hero who defeated Spanish invaders way back when. 🇵🇭

Flashback to 2010! This Darna first day cover was originally featured on my Postcards Crossing blog. Here’s to the iconic Pinoy superhero! (For those new to Darna, I’ve added some details about her in the post!)

But the main attraction (and rightfully so) is on the right! We have the one, the only, Darna, the OG superheroine of Philippine komiks, and the most popular Filipino superhero ever. Created by the amazing Mars Ravelo and brought to life by the legendary Nestor Redondo (who even went on to work for DC and Marvel in the 70s and 80s), Darna first graced the pages of Pilipino Komiks in 1950 and she’s been a Filipino pop culture icon ever since.

Created originally as “Varga” in 1947 by Mars Ravelo, she was recreated as Darna in 1950 due to fallout with his publisher. According to the Manila Times , “DARNA is a cultural icon born at a time when the Philippines was struggling to come out of the devastation of World War II. She served as a salve to a country looking for a champion.”

https://www.writeups.org/darna-mars-ravelo-comics-philippines/

Growing up, everyone knew Darna as the Pinoy Wonder Woman. Superpowers, fighting evil, rocking that awesome outfit – they are practically twins! Turns out, there’s a bit more to her story. Darna is actually more like a Filipino Captain Marvel – a super-powered warrior from planet Marte who appears on Earth through an ordinary girl named Narda and a magic white stone. Intriguing, right? You can learn more about this fascinating character [here].

Darna’s legacy goes beyond comics, with movies and TV shows launching the careers of countless Filipino actresses. But for me, nothing beats the classic komiks experience. I was practically reading these things before I was in the first grade! Fun fact: a lot of my early 80s contemporaries learned to read through komiks.

Did you have any favourite comic books/superheroes growing up? Share in the comment!

In Expat Life, Geek Talk, Sreisaatv2

Sunday Stamps: Gearing Up for the Games

Author sreisaatPosted on 11 Comments

This week on Sunday Stamps, with the highly anticipated 2024 Paris Olympics approaching, we set our sights on the Northern Hemisphere countries that are participating.

For my entry, here is one iconic stamp from Italy that celebrates athletic prowess and the thrill of competition. It came in a maxicard sent in 2009 by two Italian sisters via Postcrossing, showcasing a summer Olympic sport: cycling!

How cool is that postmark?

Cycling holds a special place in Italian sporting history. From the legendary Fausto Coppi to the modern-day heroes of the Giro d’Italia, Italy has consistently produced champions on two wheels.

This maxicard and matching stamp honour the most successful and popular cyclist of all time, the Italian Fausto Coppi, on his birthday. Both feature a dynamic image of Coppi out-of-the-saddle, powering his bicycle forward with a car following him closely. A majestic mountain range fills the background. This set beautifully captures the exhilaration and competitive spirit of this sport.

Coppi won his first Giro d’Italia in 1940 at age 20 – to this day the youngest ever to do so. He went on to win Giro d’Italia four more times, in 1947, 1949, 1952, and 1953. He also won Tour de France two times (1949 and 1952) as well as the World Championship in 1953. Professional cycling races like the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France were the pinnacle events for cyclists during Coppi’s era. The Olympics didn’t feature professional cycling competitions until 1968, well after Coppi’s retirement.

The stamp, issued before 2024 Paris Olympics, serve as a reminder of Italy’s longstanding tradition of participating and excelling in international sporting events. This year, Italian athletes across various disciplines will undoubtedly be vying for glory in Paris.

In Blogging and the Web, Geek Talk, Sreisaatv2

Sunday Stamps: Roaring Taiwanese Tiger

Author sreisaatPosted on 3 Comments

This week’s Sunday Stamps takes us on a journey to Taiwan, celebrating a beloved national holiday – the Lunar New Year!

In 2010, I received a stunning postcard from Taiwan, featuring a beautifully painted tiger. While some might find it fierce, for me, it embodies the strength and energy of the tiger. Plus, guess what? Look closely – one of the stripes cleverly hides the letter “Y,” making it a unique “Y2010” keepsake!

Flipping the postcard over reveals a matching tiger stamp, below, issued by Chunghwa Post in 2010.

Back in the day, I ran a blog called Postcards Crossing, a celebration of postcards and the joy of snail mail.

Just like the postcard’s tiger, the one on the stamp isn’t just any big cat! They’re tied to a specific celebration: Lunar New Year festivities. The stamp showcases a majestic tiger with a powerful gaze, mirroring the traditional associations of the Tiger in Chinese astrology. These traits – farsightedness, optimism, and a go-getter attitude – are all believed to bring good luck in the new year!

The stamp, and the postcard, are a celebration of the vibrant cultural traditions surrounding Lunar New Year in Taiwan. They also serve as a reminder of the special connection people have with their zodiac animal, and the connection between philately and national holidays that offer a glimpse into a country’s heritage and festivities.

As someone born in the Year of the Tiger, the postcard and corresponding stamp hold a truly special meaning in my collection. What is your favourite postcards and stamps find?