Pasko (Christmas) 2014 stamps- Philippines

On December 20, four painters from the Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (AMFPA) turned over their works of art to the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost). These masterpieces were featured in the stamps, souvenir sheet, and first day cover cachets for the stamps that the PHLPost issued for Christmas 2013.

Founded in 1956, the Association gave members the means to support themselves through the sale of their paintings or of items that depict their paintings. These items include Christmas cards, postcards, calendars, books, and stationery.

The AMFPA is not a charitable organization but an international commercial for-profit group that owned and run by artists who lost the ability to use their hands and use either their mouth or feet to create their work. As the motto of the United States division of the association puts it, “Self Help – Not Charity.” Although initially accepted as student members, artist are trained until the reach the required artistic skill level in order to receive associate then full membership.

The 2014 Christmas stamps that PHLPost issued came in se-tenant blocks of four in sheets of forty stamps, and a souvenir sheet with a strip of three stamps. There are two cachets of the official first day covers.

The following are the works of art depicted in each stamp and envelope  and the artist responsible for the work:

Se-tenant Block of 4, clockwise from top left

The Family by Jovito Sasutona

The Nativity Star by Jovito Sasutona

Christmas at the Lake by Bernard Pesigan

Christmas Lantern by Amado Binuag Dulnuan  

Souvenir Sheet of 3

Fruit Stand by Jovito Sasutona

Lantern Maker by Jovito Sasutona

Season Delight by Jovito Sasutona

FDC cachets

Children with Christmas Tree and Lantern by Bernard Pesigan

Lantern Project by John Roland Feruelo

The Pasko 2014 stamps were issued on 25 November 2013.The official first day of issue postmark depicts a Parol (star lantern).