2003, April 23. Philippines-Mexico Diplomatic Relations, 50th Anniversary
Litho Offset. Amstar Company, Inc., Perf. 14
Singles, Sheets of 10 (each value); uncut sheets of both values in mini-sheets of 20, with gutter labels; Souvenir Sheets of One
5p Our Lady of Guadalupe - Singles (50,000)
22p The Black Nazarene - Singles (50,000)
Miniature Sheets of 10 (5p) with Gutter Label (1,500)
Miniature Sheets of 10 (22p) with Gutter Label (1,500)
Miniature Sheets of 20 (5p & 22p) with Gutter Label (1,750)
Souvenir Sheets of One (12,500)
22p Procession of Black Nazarene
Project Coordinator: Jimmy Ang
Graphic Artist: Edgar P. Patricio
Layout Artist: Alfonso V. Divina
Design: Photos of Black Nazarene of Quaipo, Our Lady of Guadalupe and Procession of our Nazarene with the Basilica as background along with flags of the Philippines and Mexico.
First Day Covers: Manila
Diplomatic Relations Between Philippines and Mexico - 50th Anniversary
The Republic of the Philippines established diplomatic ties with Mexico on April 23, 1953. Furthermore, the Philippines - Mexico relations go back centuries before both countries became free and independent nations. Our roots go back to Galleon Trade
Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diego in 1531 in Guadalupe, a locality in Mexico. On December 9, on his way to the church, he heard lovely sounds of birds and a gentle woman's voice calling him. He looked up the hill, and he saw Our Lady shining like the sun and stepping over precious stones. The Lady told him about her earnest wish that a church be built there, where she could show her love, compassion, help and protection. Juan Diego immediately reported the message to the bishop who did not believe. Sadly, he went back to the hill of the apparition and told the Virgin to give the task to an important person who the bishop may believe because he was a nobody and poor. The Lady told him to go back and tell the bishop that it was she who sent him. This time the bishop asked for a sign. Again, the Lady appeared and told him to wrap all the roses he could find on the hill in mantle and present them to the bishop. When he opened the mantle to show the roses to the bishop, the miraculous image of the Virgin appeared on it. It was then that the bishop decided to build a church in the place of the apparitions, where he installed with great honor the miraculous mantle.
The Black Nazarene in the Philippines. Black Nazarene, the patron saint of Quiapo Church is a "blackened" icon of Jesus Christ carrying a cross. The statue is a replica of the original wooden icon, which was not black. According to one tale; Spanish missionaries, brought the icon to Manila aboard a ship. On its way to Manila, the ship caught fire and the Nazarene got burned. Despite its condition, the people, kept the charred Nazarene for worship. Since then, miraculous things occurred in the place. The feast of the Black Nazarene is the Philippines' largest religious festival. Catholics come from all .over Manila hoping that they will be able to get close enough to touch the image and receive a miracle. To touch the Nazarene, a cloth is rubbed on the statue and is believed to cure illnesses.
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Religious / Saints