I love collecting different things. I started developing this habit when I saw people featured on local TV programs showcasing their different collections. I was amazed and I wanted to earn that accomplishment too.

I am usually enthusiastic and diligent whenever I start building my own collections. As a kid, I would sacrifice a portion of my allowance to increase my collections. Unfortunately, I was not able to sustain my desire to complete any of my collections. At some point, I will just stop collecting different pieces and develop interest on other things. Most of the time, I find myself repeating this cycle.

My first collection was all about those stationery, stickers and letter sets. I would collect colorful and scented papers and later on trade with my classmates. I cannot recall my exact age when I started losing interest on those colorful and scented papers. What happened to my folders of stationeries, I can't even remember.

When I was in Grade 4, our school required us to join organizations that matched our interest. Some of the organizations include Art and Crafts, Cooking, Sewing, and Writing. I chose to join the Stamp Club becuase of  my budding interest in collecting stamps. Among the many organizations I have joined, the Stamp Club became memorable for me because we were given a small responsibility for the school.  Our club maintained the school's satellite post office. We accepted letters for mail from students and employees. We were taught to weigh and compute the cost of mailing letters here and abroad.  It was also my first on-the-job training experience at 10 years old.

Aside from our duty of mainning a mini-post office, we would regularly meet every Friday afternoon to showcase our collections and trade for stamps. It was also through the club where I learned that a stamp collector is formally called as a PHILATELIST.

Among the many items I have collected, my stamps are the longest that I have ever sustained. I managed to increase my stamp collection until I was in college. Today, my collection ended up as an idle and vintage stuff at home. Just to share with you, here's what I have managed to maintain through the years,
My Stamps
My frustration is that I failed to purchase a stamp album for them. When I was in High School, I saw a stamp album from National Bookstore that sells for Php 500, which for a student that time was expensive. It would take me months before to raise that amount. As of today, I can't see any bookstore selling stamp albums. So my precious collections, ended up in this small flat tupperware. 

This is my first Presidential commemorative stamp. The stamp shows our current President, Benigno S. Aquino III.  I bought this from the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost). I love the PhilPost because of three reasons, my maternal grandfather used to work there, I am amazed by the architecture of the place and I find their employees very accommodating and customer oriented.... except for one area that unfortunately sells the commemorative stamps.

Philippine Postal Corporation - Architecture at its finest
When I bought this item, I asked the sales clerk if I could see it first. This envelope with the other collector pieces are stored in a glass cabinet. The sales clerk told me, "Eh nakikita mo na, di ba?" (You can already see it!) Yeah right. Thank you for the sarcastic remark Madam.  Don't worry Madam, the next time I will approach you I will be very precise. "Can I see, feel and touch it?"   

Setting aside the negative story, here are the specific contents of my collection.

I have so far collected from these countries
Australia

Brazil
Brunei
I have plenty of stamps from Brunei because I used to have a penfriend from this country. My penfriend's name is Azlinawaty Binti Jaini or Azlina for short. We lost communication after some time. I hope I could find and reconnect with her again.

Chile
 My China series
China


Dominican Republic



Germany

Korea
 Among my Korean stamps, this one is my favorite

A cute teddy bear! Although Mr. Bear looks sick and sad here. I wonder what message is manifested by this stamp.

Malaysia
Most of my stamps from Malaysia are designed with plants, flowers and animals. I like stamps with plant and animal designs because they provide some trivial information too.
Mauritius
Pakistan
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Turkey
I love the drawing of the pretty lady here. Too bad, I never researched of what and who possibly is the beautiful lady.

Thailand
Thailand
I have plenty of stamps from Thailand because I have a penfriend from that beautiful country too. Her name is Atcharee Bulyalert from Chiangmai. I lost communication with her for a while. But thanks to Facebook and her email address, we were reconnected after ages.

I love how Thailand designs their stamps. The pieces I have collected from them are so colorful, diverse and educational too. Among their pieces, these are my favorites

Thailand's Tuk-Tuk
I hope you are reading this Atcharee. Please correct me if I'm wrong. The stamp shows the Tuk-tuk, one of the most common public transportations in Thailand. If you can still read the description, it says that the stamp is intended for the International Letter Writing Week 1997. Wait, 1997?  That is more than 10 years!! I can't believe that I have this stamp that long. 


Still from Thailand, I believe this is one of their traditional houses. This is similar to my country's Bahay Kubo.

USA
Among my USA series, this is the one that I most LOVE!
Love USA
Lone Piece from Italy
I have collections from unknown Arab countries too. I can't even remember how I acquired these pieces.


How could I ever forget my country! Here are my collections from my beloved, Philippines.

Pilipinas Stamps
The stamps showcase some of my country's national treasures. The second row shows a drawing of the Philippines' national fish, the Bangus (Milkfish). The third stamp from the second row shows the Anahaw (National Leaf aka Livistona rotundifolia). The first stamp from the third row shows the Sampaguita  (National Flowers aka Jasmimum Sam), second stamp is the Philippine Flag and third is the Narra (National Tree). The items in the last row show the Baro't Saya and Barong Tagalong, the Philippines' female and male national costume respectively.


Don't ask me who is the lady in the stamp. I failed to do my research again. But this stamp brings a lot of memories to me. This was the stamp I bought the first time I stepped at the PhilPost. After exploring the Philpost, me and my fellow members of the Stamp Club were brought to the place where commemorative stamps are purchased. I wonder if Sarcastic Madam was already working at that time. ;-)

Philippine Festivities
This is another favorite in my local collections. I love them because they showcase the most awaited and celebrated season in my country, Pasko (Christmas).  The other stamp (on the lower right) identifies the Philippines as a Fiesta Island. My country is also known for its different fiestas or feast. All of the towns in my country have their own feast day.

I hope I will have the willingness and time to revive my collection. I suddenly remembered my grade four teacher, Miss Veronica Bilag, who told us that stamps are like jewelries. The older they get, the more valuable and pricier they become. In fact, they could be treated superior than diamonds. They say diamonds are forever. Stamps are however not designed to exist forever. The government does not repeat the design of each stamp. Each stamp design can be seen in a limited time period only. Diamonds can be mined and structured to one design every now and then. Stamp designs are however special. They come only once and exist only once.

PS
I am joining Paisley Passions' Wandering Wednesday and Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesdays!

Happy Wednesday to everyone! :)