This particular series composed of three stamps will feature key components of Philippine development in the preceding as well as in the succeeding millennia.

The Embocadero at the Pasig River during the 19th Century and the Modern Facilities of the Country's Ports - This stamp will encapsulate the past and future role of trade, especially with other countries, in the development of the Philippines.

The Patio of the Old University of Santo Tomas and the Thomasites - This stamp will reflect the undeniable significance that education and training played in moulding the minds of the Filipino people towards self-improvement to cope with increasingly challenging conditions.

The Printing Press, the Internet, and the Information Highway - This stamp will highlight the power of communication and information systems to change and inspire national development which has considerably been accelerated by information technology.

The Golden Garuda of Palawan - Dating back to the 14th Century, A.D., the Garuda, a golden image of an eagle found at Brooke's Point, Palawan, was believed to be the vehicle of the Hindu God, Vishnu at the height of power of the Hindi-inspired Madjapahit Empire. This image along with other artifacts and the Filipino words of Sanskrit origin are testaments of Hindu influence in pre-colonial Philippine society.

Sunrise at Pusan Point - Located at the easternmost part of the Philippines, Pusan Point in Davao Oriental, was the site of the first millennium sunrise in the country and is considered a "once-in-a-lifetime" event, the sunrise being a symbol of hope in the new era.

The Golden Tara of Agusan - This 21 karat solid gold figurine of a sitting female deity was recoveredfrom a riverbank inAgusan and is probably one of the most unique of pre-colonial artifacts of the Philippines as it was said to be a Buddhist Tara with Tantric influences which dates back from the 11thto the 14th century.

With the successful staging of World Cup 2002 still reverberating in the Korean Peninsula, PHILAKOREA 2002 comes as "Culture World Cup," created amidst the philatelic spirit of "love, harmony, participation, and progress." PHILAKOREA 2002 World Stamp Exhibition "represents the enrichment of our daily lives through the pursuit of the serene pleasure of a hobby that all family can enjoy together."

This year's World Stamp Exhibition will be participated by 150 countries and it opens on August 2, 2002. The world will get to see the impressive progress of Asian exhibits and exhibitors at large. PHILAKOREA 2002 will also host the 67th FIP Congress.

The souvenir sheets come with two backdrops: gold for the imperforates and red for the perforates. Gold signifies rarity that is found in life's most serene state and red, the vibrant energy extracted from one's state of happiness. It is in one's most serene state that one can find true happiness.

The image of Gautama Buddha with a World Peace Tower Stupa in the background imparts Buddha's universal message of peace, non-violence, compassion, and wisdom as summarized in the "Four Noble Truths" and "Eightfold Path." The lotus represents the preservation of purity amidst adversities.  And the image of tranquil waters nibbling the mangroves is a picture of the most simple and peaceful existence any person would like to live by, devoid of the complexities of life.

If we have to relate the two images to philately, one can simply draw out their relevance. Like the quiet waters that cross the lotus and the mangroves, philately follows the flow of "serene pleasure" of indulgence in the hobby.

The 60-centavo national tree (narra) was issued in 1993 as part of the national symbol definitive series. This surcharged stamp is to complement the increase in international postage rates since December 1, 2001, by combining the three-peso with other denominations for the different postal rates. The 60-centavo denomination is too small to be used as postage in the light of increased postal rates through the years.