1963 Philippine Folk Dances

On September 15, 1963, the Bureau of Posts issued the first Philippine Republic stamps celebrating  Filipino culture:  a se-tenant set of four stamps featuring  popular Philippine folk dances printed by Thomas de la Rue and Co. Ltd., England.

5s Tinkling Dance

The tinikling is a pre-Spanish dance that involves two people beating, tapping, and sliding bmboo poles on the ground and against each other in coordination with one or more dancers who step over and in between pole between the poles in a dance. The dance originated in islands in the central Philippines as an imitation of the tikling bird dodging bamboo traps set by rice farmers. The dance imitates the movement of the tikling birds by skillfully maneuvering between large bamboo poles.


6s  Pandanggo sa ilaw (Dance of the Oil Lamps)

This  dance originates from Lubang Island, Mindoro in Visayas. 'Pandanggo sa ilaw' means 'Fandango with light'.The term pandanggo comes from the Spanish word fandango, which is a dance characterized by marking time with a clack of castanets, snapping of fingers, and stomping of feet in triple-time rhythm. A dancer balances three oil lamps (tinghoy), or candles in glasses instead, balanced on her head and on the back of each hand while she dances.


10s  Itik-Itik

Itk-Itik , a dance which originated in Mindanao, imotates the movements of ducks among rice paddies and swamplands, such as wading, flying, and short, choppy steps.


20c  Singkil

The Singkíl originated from the Maranao people who inhabit the shores of Lake Lanoa in Mindanao. It is derived from a story in the Darangen, the Maranao epic song.  The name of the dance itself means "to entangle the feet with disturbing objects such as vines or anything in your path". It is a popular dance performed during celebrations and other festive entertainment.


First Day of Issue Cancellation

The cancellation includes  a pandanggo  dancer balancing  candles.

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1963 International Red Cross Centennial

In 1963, the International Red Cross celebrated the centennial of its founding . The Bureau of Posts issued a set of three stamps honouring the Red Cross. The stamps, which feature the Red Cross centennial emblem, were printed by Courvoisier, S.A. Switzerland, and released on September 1, 1963.

First Day of Issue Cancellation

The Red Cross centennial symbol was included in the cancellation.

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1963 Asian-Oceanic Postal Union 1st Anniversary

On April 1, 1962, Nationalist China, Korea, the Philippines, and Thailand, formed the Asian-Oceanic Postal Union (AOPU) whose headquarters were established in Manila. The purpose of the AOPU was to extend, facilitate, and improve postal relations between member countries and to promote co-operation in the field of postal services. By 2009, 31 countries in the region were members of the Postal Union.

The Bureau of Posts issued a set of two stamps on August 26, 1963, to commemorate the first anniversary of the AOPU.

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1963 Anti-TB Semi-postals

A map of the Philippines is featured on the 1963 Anti-TB semi-postal set, issued on August 19, 1963.

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1963 Diego Silang Bicentennial Art & Philatelic Exhibition

ARPHEX was an art and philatelic exhibition held in Manila commemorating the bicentennial of Diego Silang's death.  The 2p Jaeno definitive stamp of 1952 was overprinted and surcharged to mark the exhibition. The three stamps in the set were issued on June 12, 1963.

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1963 New Famous Filipinos Definitives VI Cayetano Arellano

Cayetano Arellano was the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines under the American Civil Government, serving from 1901 to 1920. Arellano was the subject of the regular and official  50s definitive stamp issued on May 1, 1963.

First Day of Issue Cancellation

The cancel includes scales and a sword, traditional symbols of justice.

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