Charmed
Life
Gretheline
Genciana Ramos-Bolandrina
Stamps
"Stamp Collecting dispels
boredom, enlarges our vision, broadens our knowledge, makes us better citizens
and in innumerable ways, enriches our lives" - President Franklin D.
Roosevelt
The subject came simply as: Alyssah’s
New Website. The greetings came even more simply with a request. “Hello,
hope you can visit my new websites. Kindly pass this info to your relatives
and friends, or better if you could link this to your website: The Queen
Elizabeth II exhibit website:
http://www.freewebs.com/alvier.”
Curiosity got the best of me. No fear of spam or viruses held me over. And
the innocence, enthusiasm and sincerity of ALYSSAH XENIAH C. ALCALA, a
13-year-old Filipina student of Sacred Heart College won me over. Here’s
another story I can chalk up in my life chapter of serendipity. I checked
out her website and e-mailed her back to congratulate her on her achievements.
I too, liked stamps as a child. And we’ve exchanged several e-mails
since. She thinks she got my e-mail from Good News Philippines and this,
I think is good news indeed!
I learned that Alyssah was born in Lucena
City, Philippines on June 25, 1993. She is the only child of Alberto Zeta
Alcala, an Engineer and Ma. Antonette Etorma Cuya. Her interests include
stamp collecting, swimming, computer games, watching TV shows, (the Disney
Channel TV shows being her favorite). She’s been featured in the Philippine
Daily Inquirer (July 20, 2006) and Inquirer COMPACT (July 21, 2006) and has
well-wishers from India, Washington, DC and UK.
 Her website posted
“An Appeal” and I quote: “After the stint of my two-frame
Queen Elizabeth II exhibit in New Zealand this coming November 2006, I intend
to add another 16 pages in this exhibit of mine. Hopefully by the first quarter
of next year I will have a more attractive and competitive three-frame QE
II exhibit. At present, I already have in my possession some philatelic materials
that I can use in expanding this exhibit. However, I would appreciate if
you can send some philatelic items related to this exhibit of mine. In
particular, I need some materials related to the Queen's uncle, King Edward
VIII; her sister, Princess Margaret; her daughter, Princess
Anne; her sons, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. Likewise,
I also need philatelic materials about the Queen's horses and
dogs (Corgi); residences and castles; and her military
service. Finally, I hope that someone will be generous enough to send
me an unusual shape stamp about Queen Elizabeth II. I would also be
grateful if you can send me some black mounts. Whatever you can send will
be much appreciated and I will be very thankful that you will be part of
Team Alyssah Xeniah.”
Even more good news, Alyssah received an
invitation to send her Queen Elizabeth II exhibit to Rochester, New York
next year to compete in ROPEX 2007 Rochester National Stamp Exhibition. ROPEX
Stamp Show, dubbed, as A “Champion of Champions” Event is an APS
“World Series of Philately” Event. To be held Friday, May 18- Sunday,
May 20, 2007 at the ESL Sports Centre, 2700 Brighton Henrietta Townline Rd.,
Rochester, NY. It will be the first time for Alyssah’s exhibit to compete
in the US. She anticipates incurring expenditures to improve her exhibit,
the entry fee as well as, surprise, surprise, postage costs. She is on the
look out for sponsors. Contributions may be sent to: Team Alyssah Xeniah,
St. John Street Reymar Compound 4301 Lucena City, Philippines. A tremendous
undertaking, for someone so young, yet one I know would give pride and
recognition not only to Alyssah and her family but also to all Filipinos.
Though my biggest stamp project,
stamp-collage-covering-the-borders-of-a-hexagonal-mirror (with special stamps
I collected from different correspondence all over the world, through the
years) proudly hangs in our home’s foyer, and my husband Joe proudly
announces how I made the piece when he does tours in our home, I know it
compares rather pale and dull to real stamp collectors. I am amazed at
individuals who collect stamps. I applaud Alyssah and her parents and I share
in the joy of what she already achieved. Stamp collecting is along the lines
of appreciating the smallest of things, how some of the best gifts come in
small packages. Sometimes, the best stories come that way too.
Feel free to e-mail me reactions, comments
and or suggestions for ideas to ponder. Contact me at
Gretheline@aol.com or through Carousel
Productions. |
