FREE Philippine Postal Heritage Walking Tour by Filipinas Stamp Collectors Club

For lovers of architecture, philatelists, stamp collector wannabes and a peek at the unknown Postal Museum near the neoclassical Post Office Building in Manila, here's a free walking tour of the area together with some Intramuros trivia using old stamps as guide.

Note: This is a truly free walking tour that also come with free snacks every third Sunday of the month organized by the Filipinas Stamp Collectors Club. Tutubi joined this tour last February 21 and will soon be featured on this blog.


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FREE Philippine Postal Heritage Walking Tour, Manila

March 21, 2010

The country's most dynamic Philatelic Club – Filipinas Stamp Collectors' Club in cooperation with Philpost and Intramuros invites everyone to an afternoon of walking around the historic district Manila and be enchanted to learn to secrets behind the stories!

Tour areas included:

Aduana or Intendencia- This building with a multi- faceted stories once functioned as Custom house during the Spanish period and were mails including goods like artifacts were brought –in from the new world. The building also served as office to the Philippine mint, treasury, and Central Bank, Bank of the Philippine Islands and Commission on Elections.

Plaza Mexico – The plaza with President Adolfo Mateo of Mexico life-sized statute the main focal point commemorated the 400 centenary of Manila –Acapulco galleon trade marker. Before the present pier was constructed this particular place where galleons and ships from the new world and the rest of the world dock their goods.

Puerta Isabel 2 Gate and Monument - the gate was the last gate to be opened for public uses in 1862 and was named after Queen Isabel 2 of Spain. The statute in front of the gate was originally located in the nearby Plaza Arroceros build from 1852 to 1854 (present day Liwasang Bonifacio).

The statute would be again find a place in front of the Malate Church in 1896 then a powerful storm in 1970 topped the statute. The bonze statute was later re-located in 1975 to commemorate the visit of then price Juan Carlos now King of Spain.

Queen Isabel 2 bust was depicted on Philippine and Asia's first stamp issued on February 1, 1854.

Manila Main Post Office building and compound – the historic building is part of the buildings and bridges designed by Juan de Guzman Arellano a Filipino architect which also designed the nearby Metropolitan theater and Jones Bridge.

See the magnificently built columns, iron works, old postal address boxes still being used and maintained by the Philpost.

Current exhibit of Dr. Hermogenes Lorenzo are on display at the lobby of the main post office.


Postal Museum and Library – located within the post office compound, the Security Division is presently occupying the building.

Old typewriters, mailboxes, stamps, philatelic books are housed on the 3rd floor of the building.

Pre-registration is required to join the free tour until March 20, 2010 Saturday

Contact Information: L_rence_2003@yahoo.com / (0919-3901671)
Mrs. Josefina T. Cura – Landline 735-5001 Monday to Saturday 1:00 p.m. to 5p.m.

First come, First Reservation policy.

Filipinas Stamp Collectors' club upon final confirmation will host a brief lecture and snacks to the tour group.

The participants may bring their cameras.
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If you're not available this coming Sunday, just inquire about this tour every month. Tutubi planned to join this walking tour months ago but only materialized last month due to his erratic schedule.