NSCM: A time to collect stamps and culture

Every year, the Philatelic Community has a whole month dedicated to their beloved hobby. The event, called NSCM, or National Stamp Collecting Month, is celebrated for the whole month of November. It is the time where collectors join in showcasing their stamps, promoting the hobby to others, and buying the stamps/philatelic items that are issued for the occasion. But in general, it is a time to be proud of what we like to do. Something that gives us happiness and a connection with one another.

First let us go back to the history of this event.

The NSCM was declared in 1994. It was preceded by the National Philatelic Week which was first declared to be observed from Nov. 16 to 22, 1952, under Proclamation No. 342. Its declaration drew the people’s attention to the First Pan Asian Philatelic Exhibition held in Manila, considered one of the biggest philatelic events for the country after World War II.

The next Philatelic Week was held from Dec. 26 to 31, 1954, under Proclamation No. 99, to commemorate the centenary of the first postage stamp issued in the Philippines in 1854.

In 1968, then President E. Ferdinand Marcos Issued Proclamation No. 490, which declared November 24 to 30 as Philatelic Week due to “philately, the collection and study of postage stamps, provides an individual with knowledge not only of his country’s history, its people and tradition but also of the rest of the world”, “fosters international understanding and friendship, and promotes patriotism, interest in arts, culture and science”, and “promotion of philately in our country will provide an effective means of advertising the Philippines abroad, and consequently boost our tourism industry”.

In 1969, Proclamation No. 622, was issued which declares the last week of November every year as Philatelic Week. This Proclamation has been followed for 25 years.

But in 1994 President Fidel V. Ramos, a stamp collector himself, issued Proclamation No. 494, which declared the month of November of every year as National Stamp Collecting Month. The Proclamation stated: “It is desirable that public attention be focused on the value and significance of philately”, “philately, which is the collection and study of stamps, will provide our people, especially the youth, with deeper knowledge of our history, culture, and traditions, as well as of the rest of the world”, and “for the promotion and development of our people’s consciousness of the value and significance of philately in our country will help provide an effective means of projecting the Philippines abroad and, consequently, boost our tourism and economy”

NSCM has been observed and celebrated since then, with every celebration featuring special moments in philately. And even during the COVID-19 pandemic, NSCM is still celebrated by many collectors virtually.

But this year is special. Aside from 2021 marking the Quincentennial Celebrations, the Philippine Postal Corporation is taking new and further leaps with various projects and plans to upgrade philately to revive the philatelic spirit in the new generations. These projects are spearheaded by the New Postmaster General and CEO of the PhilPost, “Mr. Postman” Norman N. Fulgencio. One of these projects is the release of the “Living legends Series I” which features world renowned Filipinos in their fields.

The said stamps also celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first stamp of the Philippines. These stamps also recognize the need for Filipinos to be proud of their own heritage and culture.

In the end, NSCM is more than a month for Philately. It recognizes the fact that from even a small stamp, each and every Filipino can learn a lot about local and international history and culture. Which is why I invite all of you to join us in celebrating this wonderful occasion as it helps us enrich our knowledge and even find a new fun hobby.