Sunday Stamps 025: A tribute to Tita Cory

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In September 2009, the PhilPost issued a limited edition of the "Cory stamps":


Former Philippine President and democracy icon Corazon C. Aquino, garbed in her iconic yellow dress and flashing her famous "L" sign, meaning laban or fight. She is the Mother of People Power in our country which became the model of other peaceful revolutions around the world.
January 25, 1933 - August 1, 2009

The commemorative stamp above is one of the se-tenant bearing the image of  Corazon "Cory" Aquino, former Philippine President and a democracy icon. This shy and self-proclaimed "plain housewife" became the 11th President of the Philippines after leading the 1986 People Power Revolution that ousted President Ferdinand Marcos and restored democracy in the Philippines. Tita Cory, as she's fondly called after her term as President and became Citizen Cory, was the first woman to hold that office. Later that year (1986) she was named "Woman of the Year" by Time Magazine.


The launching of the Cory stamps coincided with the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to which the late president was a known devotee.

[Philippine] Postmaster General Hector R.R. Villanueva said that “the Cory Aquino stamps will serve as a fitting tribute to her achievements before her incumbency when she led the 1986 People Power Revolution. As well as the freedom and democracy that we regained during her tenure, including fighting off several coup attempts to unseat her, must never be forgotten by all Filipinos,” he said.
Villanueva is also hoping that the stamps would serve as a permanent reminder to all Filipinos, those present and future generations, of her valuable contribution to the country.
The President Cory Aquino memorial stamps can be considered the most celebrated issue ever of the Philippines.  Released on September 8, 2009 with a limited edition of 70,000 pieces or 35,000 sets since the stamps were issued in se-tenant pairs, the entire issue sold out overnight.  This has never happened before with any Philippine issue. - Source
Mrs. Aquino, 76, died on Aug. 1 after a long battle with colon cancer. The outpouring of support and sympathy for the Aquino Family after a five-day wake saw the nation wrapped in grief and adulation. She was finally laid to rest and buried at the Manila Memorial Park in Parańaque City beside her assassinated husband, Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. on August 5. - Source
Her son Benigno Aquino III was elected president himself and was sworn in on June 30, 2010.



8 comments:

Sheila @ A Postcard a Day said...

I've never seen the stamp before but I've heard of Cory Aquino, of course. I was sad to hear how she died.

Bob Scotney said...

A famous woman indeed. The stamp is new to me as well.

viridian said...

Thank you for participating today. A great stamp.

Postcardy said...

She deserves recognition. I wonder who they made the stamp a limited edition.

VioletSky said...

That is amazing that these stamps were sold out overnight!

Little Nell said...

She deserved to be recognised in this way. I just remember that Mrs Aquino took over from the Marcos administration and there was much jubiliation.

Marcie said...

Here, we are still waiting for the first woman to become president!

Joy said...

It is a very joyful for a memorial stamp, a true celebration of her life.

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