Showing all posts tagged stamps

In Cambodia life, Expat Life, Geek Talk, hobby, Sreisaatv2

The Olympics and Philippine Pride

Author sreisaatPosted on 6 Comments

This week, Sunday Stamps celebrates the Olympic spirit with two stamps that capture the essence of these global sporting spectacles.

First up, we have a piece of Estonian history. Issued in 2004 to coincide with the Athens Olympics, this stamp marks a significant milestone for Estonian athletes. After decades under Soviet rule, the Estonian Olympic Committee resumed its activity in 1989 and in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, they were finally competing under their own flag. Can you imagine the pride and excitement of these athletes finally representing their country on the world stage? It’s a powerful symbol of independence and national pride. Since then, Estonia has certainly made its mark on the Olympic stage, with an impressive medal tally to boast – 44 medals in both the Summer and Winter Games – 14 gold, 11 silver, and 19 bronze medals. (Source)

My second stamp is Italy’s contribution to the Olympic philatelic series is a beautifully designed €0.85 stamp from 2008, part of the ‘Lo Sport Italiano’ collection.

The design merges Ancient Greek motifs with Asian (Chinese) elements. It features a disc framed in a harmonious blend of Greek and Asian borders, with the figures of athletes reminiscent of Ancient Greek pottery art on one side, and Asian athletes on the other, symbolizing the global unity of the Olympic Games. The stamp is completed with the iconic Olympic rings and the words “GIOCHI OLIMPICI-PECHINO 2008” (“BEIJING 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES”), along with the country’s name and denomination.

Italy, a country with a rich sporting heritage, has hosted the Olympics three times and has an incredible medal count. Italy boasts an impressive tally of 772 medals from both Summer and Winter Games, reflecting its rich Olympic legacy. Having hosted the Games three times, with plans for the 2026 Winter Olympics, Italy’s passion for sports is evident.

The Philippines, in other news, just made history at the Paris Olympics! Our athletes have brought home TWO GOLD MEDALS and TWO BRONZE MEDALS! It’s an absolute dream come true. This is a monumental leap for Philippine sports, especially in men’s gymnastics. Who would have thought we’d be celebrating gold medalists in this category? And our female boxers? They are fearless and their determination and grit knows no bounds! Mabuhay kayo – Carlos Yulo, Aira Villegas, at Nesthy Petecio!

These victories are a testament to the incredible talent and unwavering determination of the Filipino athletes. They’ve overcome countless challenges, including limited resources, to stand on the world’s biggest stage. I can’t wait to see these heroes celebrated with their own stamps. They deserve all the recognition and honour we can give them.

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

Sunday Stamps: A Taste of Lusophony

Author sreisaatPosted on 6 Comments

This week’s Sunday Stamps takes us to Portugal, the ancestral home of Fernão de Magalhães, or Ferdinand Magellan, who, ironically, was famously credited with circumnavigating the globe and discovering my home country, the Philippines, after switching his allegiance to Spain.

While Portugal might not be immediately recognized as a sporting powerhouse, the country has steadily made its mark on the Olympic stage. Known primarily for its prowess in athletics, Portugal has expanded its medal-winning repertoire to include canoeing and judo and more recently in surfing, skateboarding, and breaking. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics was a particularly triumphant moment, as Portugal secured its best-ever Olympic medal haul. And let’s not forget the global phenomenon that is Cristiano Ronaldo – proof that Portugal’s sporting prowess extends far beyond the Olympic stage.

My stamp features a mouthwatering no caldeiro a tempura – a fusion of Portuguese and Japanese cuisine. It’s part of the Sabores da Lusofonia (Taste of Lusophony) series celebrating the culinary diversity of the Lusophone world – a term encompassing the Portuguese speaking community, akin to Francophone or Hispanophone. Beyond the shared language, Lusophony is a tapestry of historical and cultural threads. Interestingly, over 300,000 Brazilians of Japanese descent, known as decassegui, speak Portuguese as their home language in Japan – a fascinating tidbit from the Wikipedia.


No caldeira a tempura, a crazy good mix of Portuguese and Japanese tastes. This stamp is part of the Sabores da Lusofonia commemorative series, featuring representative dishes from eight Lusophony countries.

I love the crisp postmark on this stamp – it’s a rarity that allows the image to shine through. Interestingly, sabor in my native Visayan-Hiligaynon language means “taste” or “flavour”, and also as a verb to mean “to taste”, both mirroring the stamp’s theme. A question though – if a postmark is applied to a stamp, do we call it a cancellation mark, instead?

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

Sunday Stamps: Kiwi fruit on Kiwi stamp

Author sreisaatPosted on 7 Comments

For this week’s Sunday Stamps with the theme countries in the Southern Hemisphere, I present a New Zealand stamp.

New Zealand’s iconic kiwi fruit took centre stage in 2006 when it adorned a stamp as part of a larger campaign to promote healthy eating among Kiwi children. The 5+ A Day The Colour Way initiative aimed to instill the importance of consuming at least five servings of colourful fruits and vegetables daily young New Zealanders.


The stamp, featuring fresh kiwi slices, was a playful and engaging way to capture the attention of children. New Zealand Post’s commitment to this initiative helped spread awareness about the benefits of healthy eating among the nation’s young people. By making healthy eating fun and accessible, the campaign hoped to empower Kiwi children to make informed choices about their diet. With initiatives like this, New Zealand is investing in the health and well-being of its future generations.

Here is the complete set:

Source: Virtual New Zealand Stamps