Trivia about the International Year of Biodiversity

The top three winners in this year’s On-the-Spot Stamp Design Contest jointly organized by the United Nations Information Centre Manila (UNIC) and the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) were formally announced in awarding ceremonies held recently at Philpost.

The winners are: Krysten Alarice Tan (first prize); Justen Paul Tolentino (second prize); and Christian Art D. Malquisto (third prize). Tan and Tolentino are third and fourth year high school students, respectively, from St. Stephen’s High School, Manila, while Malquisto is a fourth year high school student from Lakandula High School, Manila.

The awards were given out by UN Resident Coordinator, Dr. Jacqueline Badcock; Philpost Chairman of the Board, Alfredo Gabot; Atty, Froilan Tejada Jr.; and Assistant Postmaster General for Marketing and Business Development. Cash prizes of P20,000, P15,000, and P10,000, for the first, second and third prizes, respectively, were given out by Faith Bacon, of the Lopez Group Foundation; Lt. Cmdr. Armando A. Balilo, Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Community Relations and Auxillary Affairs; and Dr. Catalino P. Rivera, of Barasoain Center for Innovative Education.

The theme of this year’s stamp design competition is “The Importance of Protecting Earth’s Natural Resources.” The contest was organized by UNIC Manila in observance of the International Year of Biodiversity.

The contest was held last September 7, 2010. Sponsors of this event include the Lopez Group Foundation; Metro Manila V Squadron, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary-CRS; Rotary Club of Bagumbayan Manila; and Barasoain Center for Innovative Education.