Throwback: Post Office Launched The "Jaworski Stamps"

The Philippine Postal Corporation (Post Office) has launched in October 2021 the first-ever stamp featuring basketball great Robert Jaworski to kick off the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the first-ever stamp of the Republic of the Philippines.

In 1946, the Post Office released officially the first stamp bearing the inauguration of the Philippine Republic. From that time one, the Filipino people have risen up, setting the tide for world-renowned talents and outstanding individuals who have made their mark on the international stage, including basketball.

On the occasion of the launching of Robert Jaworski Living Legend Stamps, the Post Office commemorated another remarkable milestone in the history of the country with the opening of "SALAMAT, Pagpupugay sa mga Alamat" (A Tribute to Filipino Legends) a three-part series of postage stamp issuances featuring 1.) Living Legends: World-Renowned; 2.) Living Legends: Outstanding Filipinos; and 3.) Never Forgotten personalities that have made a mark and contributed greatly in their chosen fields here and abroad.

"This is our own little way of thanking and honoring these outstanding Filipinos in their chosen fields of endeavor in celebration of the 75 years of the first stamps issued in the Philippines as a Republic," then Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio said.

According to Fulgencio, the Filipino people in this country are the most valuable asset and the real treasure a country could have.

"Naniniwala po kami na ang tunay na yaman ng Pilipinas ay tayong mga Pilipino (we believe that the real treasure of the Philippines are the Filipinos themselves) – their talents, characteristics, and the Filipino spirits", Fulgencio said.

He added, "We are deeply honored to the family of Senator Robert Jaworski and his family for allowing us to feature his greatness in the Philippine Stamps. It is more fitting for his status as the sports 'Living Legends' who personified the 'never say die' spirit to be the opening salvo for our upcoming stamps featuring outstanding Filipinos to give hope and strength for Filipinos in the midst of this pandemic.

"The stamp teaches us an important life lesson, that when it seems hopeless and you are about to give up, amazing things can still happen, if we keep the faith", Fulgencio said.