by Rome Jorge
PASAY CITY – In the age of emails, virtual money, and digital art, and e-books, the Philippine National Bank (PNB) celebrated is centennial in the most fitting way—with a design competition for postage stamps, the unveiling of a collector’s item commemorative coin, an art exhibit of paintings, and most recently a coffee table book.
On June 13, an event aptly entitled “Siglo” was held at the PNB Financial Center, at Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Pasay City to launch of PNB’s Centennial Stamp and Medallion as well as PNB’s Turn of the Century Exhibit.
The Philippine National Bank centennial stamps, souvenir sheets and official first day covers were made available to stamp collectors on June 12, 2016 at the Post Shop, Philately and Museum Division, Manila Central Post Office, Door 19, Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila and at all Regional Offices of the Philippine Postal Corporation.
The four winning stamp designs were by: Kenneth Olivar of Culiat High School and Jean Christian Tomes of Philippine Institute of Quezon City for the student category, and Jericho Martinez of Las Pinas City and Michael Montanez of Bacoor Cavite for the open category.
Gracing the event and congratulating the artists personally was tycoon Lucio Tan himself, PNB majority stockholder.
Unveiled at the same was the PNB Centennial Medallion that bears the design of the Masonic Iron Gate, found at the PNB Head Office in 1916. The original Masonic Iron Gate from Escolta is now displayed at the PNB Financial Center. Also at the event were historic turn-of-the-century prints that contrasted with colorful student paintings.
This July, PNB celebrates its centennial with a commemorative 300-page coffee table book entitled PNB: One Hundred Years of Service Excellence. Among the book’s historical anecdotes is the fact that PNB was the only bank authorized to issue legal tender having functioned as the Philippines’ de facto central bank. It was privatized 20 years ago. No less than noted author and columnist Krip Yuson served as the book’s editor.
