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| Philippines' first Christmas postage stamps |
The 10-centavo Christmas postage stamp was used for local mail in 1967; as a young student I got some used issues, soaked off the envelopes of letters. It was many years later that I saw and fell in love with the blue 40-centavo issue, not knowing the existence of such a bright partner to the so-familiar 10-centavo nativity scene. Lovely is the concept of Mary in saya carrying the haloed Jesus, and Joseph in barong holding a stalk of sugar cane, probably acquired in the field leading to Mt. Mayon, lighted by a star shining brightly. Completing the scene is the carabao, replacing the western donkey. I learned that 40 centavos was the air mail rate, and receiving no mail from abroad, I did not get to see it until my allowance was increased to start my collection of Republic stamps.
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| 1968 Christmas caroling set |
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| 1972 set |
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| 1976 set |
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| 1977 set |
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| 1979 set |
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| 1980 Christmas Tree single and FDC |
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| 1980 and 1981 surcharges of 1979 set |
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| 1982 Santa in Barong set |
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| 1983 Lechon strip set with first Christmas S/S |
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| 1984 se-tenant set |
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| 1985 set |
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1986 set    1990 set    1993 set            2004 set             |