Tamaraw Commemorative Stamps

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Far Eastern University (FEU), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) further cement their commitment to save the endangered tamaraw with the launch of a commemorative stamp on 26 January 2013. To be issued by the Philippine Postal Company (PhilPost), the “Save The Tamaraw” stamp celebrates Project TAMS2, a program by the three aforementioned organizations which aims to double the animal’s population by 2020.

“We take great pride and pleasure in unveiling the Tamaraw Commemorative Stamp which celebrates collaboration with WWF-Philippines and DENR,” said Dr. Michael Alba, FEU university president. “It dovetails perfectly with FEU’s advocacy to preserve the tamaraw which we have been supporting for several years already.”

Two stamp designs will be released: one is by Aaron Cedrick Santos Manaloto, an FEU Fine Arts junior student while the other is by Ross Joseph Bolaños Copiaco, head designer of FEU Publications. Manaloto and Copiaco were the student and open category winners, respectively, of a month-long stamp design contest sponsored by FEU.

Only 72,000 copies of each design will be printed. FEU will start selling first day covers to the public on 28 January 2013.

FEU’s advocacy to preserve the tamaraw started in 2005 when the university partnered with the DENR Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau and its Tamaraw Conservation Program to enable FEU Students to be more involved in the latter’s conservation efforts. The University has since been then sending students and faculty to Mindoro to render community service and participate in the annual Tamaraw count.

In July 2012, FEU formalized a partnership agreement with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Philippines) for Project TAMS2.

FEU alumnus and Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim signs first day issue covers of the Save the Tamaraw stamps. Beside him are FEU Chairman Dr. Lourdes R. Montinola and FEU President Dr. Michael Alba.