The "NAMASTE PHILIPPINES MABUHAY INDIA" MOVES SOME STEPS FURTHER WITH THE LAUNCH AT DFA ON FRIDAY THE 4TH OF DECEMBER TWO POSTAL STAMPS TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE 60TH YEAR DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS.

FOREIGN SECRETARY HON. ALBERTO ROMULO together with Post Master General and CEO Philippines Postal Corporation Hon. HECTOR R.R. VILLANUEVA, with the presence of Philippines Ambassador to India Hon. Francisco Benedicto, India's Ambassador Hon. Rajeet Mitter, Manila Tourism Chief [former beauty queen] GEMMA ARANETA CRUZ, President RAM SITALDAS of the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and NPMI Honorary Chair HON. LETICIA RAMOS SHAHANI launched the two stamps and First Day Cover.

The postal corporation presented souvenir frame of the stamps and FDC to Hon. Romulo, Hon. Ambassador and President Sitaldas.

Fishing for the right concept for the stamp, the postal department together in consolation with the Indian Postal Corporation presented two concepts:

The first stamp featured the WHITE SHARK and the second stamp featured the GANGES RIVER DOLPHIN. The denomination were in Pesos 7 [ which is the basic mailing stamp, used by most] while the second denomination was Pesos 20.

Other Guests present were Hon. Amrit Lugun of the Indian Embassy, Senior officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Postal corporation, Mrs. Rani Sudhakar of New India Assurance, Mr. Prasad of the State Bank of India and NPMI EXECUTIVE CHAIR VISHNU HATHIRAMANI.

Publisher Bing Carrion presented her first copy of the upcoming book of the 60 years, where she has featured 30 Filipinos and 30 Indians who have contributed tremendously to the relation during the last 60 years. Her launch is set on December 11 in Manila.

Cocktails were served by DFA and also some Indian snacks sponsored by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce [Phil's] Inc.

Stamps can be purchased starting Monday December 7th. Limited frames costing Pesos 1000 and Pesos 3400 are also available.

Last November 16th 2 stamps were launched by the Indian Government at the Philippines Embassy in New Delhi.

Congratulations.