When Pope Francis visits the Philippines this January, he may see yet another show of Filipino talent—this time in the form of stamps designed by ordinary Filipinos.

 

The Philippine Postal Corp. said it will hold on Oct. 24 a nationwide on-the-spot stamp design contest for the papal visit.

 

"The artwork must interpret the theme of the papal visit. Entries must be made on an 8 3/4 inches x 11 ½ inches white illustration board in either vertical or horizontal format," PHLPost said.

 

It said entries must focus on the theme: “A Nation of Mercy and Compassion.”

 

The contest will be held at 1 p.m. of Oct. 24 in Robinsons Malls in Mega Manila, Northwest Luzon, Northeast Luzon, Southern Luzon, Central and Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, and Central Mindanao Area.

 

The two top winning designs in the students and professional category will be featured in the Papal Visit Postage Stamps to be issued and launched in January 2015 for national and international circulation.

 

Student category includes elementary, high school and college students from public and private schools.

 

Meanwhile, the professional category is open to artists, designers, illustrators and other interested parties.

 

"These designs will be featured in a Special Souvenir Frame to be given to the Holy Father," PHLPost said.

 

Conditions

 

PHLPost said the entries must be purely artwork and should not incorporate the text of the theme, denomination of the stamp, year of issue and the word Pilipinas.

 

It added artwork must be accompanied by a separate writeup or interpretation of the theme and the design in 100 words or less.

 

Artwork must be rendered using oil, acrylic, pastel on paper or canvas.

 

However, there is no restriction in the colors to be used in the design.

 

Meanwhile, the name, address and contact number of the participants and the name of the school should be attached at the back of the illustration board.

 

Prizes

 

The winners in the student and professional categories will receive P15,000 each, a stamp album, and certificate of participation.

 

All entries will automatically become the property of PHLPost. — Joel Locsin/VC, GMA News