"Parisian Life", also known as "Interior d'un Cafe" was painted in 1892 by Juan Luna. The oil on canvass painting, 22 inches long and 31 inches in width, and now housed at the GSIS Museum of Art-Pasay City, features three Filipino patriots - Jose Rizal, Juan Luna, and Ariston Bautista Lin. It was given by Juan Luna to Ariston Bautista Lin who kept it in his Quiapo house, site of the Propaganda and Katipunan movements.

The Christie's catalogue describes "Parisian Life" as the "best features of the artist's work from the Paris period, testifying to his sensitivity and skill in capturing a fleeting moment of ordinary life, and imbuing it with personality and universal emotions." At the center of the delicately painted masterpiece is a young and pretty woman languidly sitting on a sofa. The painting also captures three Filipino heroes in the advent of the revolution. In 1892, the patriots did not realize that they would change the course of Philippine history. Jose Rizal wrote the inspirational novels of Noli Me Tangere and EI Filibusterismo and became the most beloved Philippine national hero. Juan Luna painted award-winning paintings and was a member of the first Philippine diplomatic mission to the United States. Ariston Bautista Lin discovered paregoric, a medicine that stopped the onslaught of countrywide cholera epidemic at the turn of the century. He was also the financier of the Propaganda movement, Katipunan, Philippine Revolution and Philippine America War. The three patriots played pivotal roles in Philippine history.

The painting is the only one, among the hundreds of Juan Luna paintings wherein the master painter painted himself, as part of the painting's narrative.

The painting also illustrates the Impressionist attempts of Luna in color, perspective and theme at the height of 19th century Impressionist movement in France. Even after the demise of Luna, the painting was publicly exhibited and won a silver Medal in the 1904 St. Louis Exposition. One interpretation claims the lady as the mirror image of the Philippine archipelago. Superimposition of the Philippine map's mirror image on the lady highlights the following: the contour of Northern Luzon follows the same contour of the lady's bodice; the distance between Infanta, Quezon and San Antonio, Zambales is exact to the small waistline of the lady ; all islands of Visayas and Mindanao are evenly spread out within the pink gown of the lady; the island of Palawan has exactly the same incline and shape as the arm of the lady; the mountain range that separates Surigao from Agusan and Davao is exact to the dark fold of the lady's gown from north to south; the site of the birth of 1898 Philippine Independence, Kawit Cavite, is exact on the lady's womb, site of a woman's birthing; the site of the declaration of 1899 Constitution, Malolos, Bulacan, is exact on the navel of the lady. Constitution is the bloodline of the nation and the umbilical cord is the infant's bloodline to his mother; and Cebu covers a knee of the lady. Cebu is the site of the first Christianization in the country.

Simply the interpretation contends the lady as our motherland. The motherland is awkwardly poised, disturbed with a blank stare, unsure whether to stand up or remain seated. With this contention, it integrates cohesively other elements in the painting.

The three heroes are discussing the disturbed state of the motherland in 1892. It is the exact year when La Liga Filipina was formed (July 3); when the Katipunan was formed (July 7) and when Jose Rizal was banished to exile in Dapitan (July 7). The year 1892 was the eve of the Philippine Revolution.

The newspaper L'Echo De Paris is folded behind the lady. The newspaper signifies the Cry of Bastille or French Revolution, inspiration of the Philippine Revolution. The French aspirations of Liberty, fraternity and Equality were identical to the longings of the Filipinos. Thus, the French revolution, the echo of Paris, figures clearly behind the disturbed state of Philippine motherland in 1892.

In acquiring the painting, the GSIS claims it has shown that it does not only insure the future of government employees and public properties but also the national treasures of the Filipino people. The "Parisian Life", GSIS says, is an investment. A painting of such importance will not only appreciate intrinsically but also in monetary value, says GSIS President and General Manager Winston Garcia.

The souvenir sheets and Official First Day Covers will be available starting December 21, 2007 at the Philatelic Service, Door 203, Liwasang Bonifacio. 1000 Manila and at all Regional Offices of the Philippine Postal Corporation.

An internationally acclaimed Filipino painter who brought honor to the Philippines. Juan Luna was born in Badoc, llocos Norte on October 24, 1857. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the Ateneo de Manila. In 1877, he entered the Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid, Spain, where he won t.he high praises of his Spanish teachers.

In 1881, at the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid, Luna was awarded second prize for his canvas La Muerte de Cleopatra. The painting that won for him even greater international fame was the Spolarium, which was awarded first prize in the National Exposition of Fine Arts in Madrid in 1884. His La Batella de Lapanto won the first prize in the Barcelona Exposition of 1888.

In 1896, he returned to the Philippines and on September 16, 1896, together with his brother Antonio and other suspects, he was arrested for complicity in the Katipunan uprising. He was released by a royal pardon on May 27, 1897, the birth anniversary of King Alfonso XIII. He sailed for Europe shortly after his release.

When the Filipino-American war broke out, he wanted to return to the Philippines and join the fight for his country. Failing in this, he worked in France as a diplomatic agent of President Emilio Aguinaldo. Late in 1899, upon hearing of the sad plight of the Republic, he sailed for home with the idea of joining the Filipino army. However, in Hongkong, he suffered a fatal heart attack on December 7,1899.

In response to the State of the Nation Address of Her Excellency, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the third session of the 12th Congress at Batasang Pambansa, the Philippine Postal Corporation launched the "Ang Batang Pinoy Laban Sa Droga" National Stamp Design Contest.

As President Arroyo uhderscored the need for a collective effort in fighting the illegal drug trade in the country, this contest was designed to create awareness among the youth regarding their role in the anti-druq campaign of the government. It gave them a chance to interpret their ideas on the hazardous effects of drugs and how they can stay away from drugs.

From among 700 entries coming from public and private schools throughout the country, three winners were chosen both from the elementary and high school categories. The first two winners in the elementary and high school categories are now featured on the special stamps "Ang Batang Pinoy Laban' Sa Droga". The third winners from elementary and high school are now featured on the First Day Covers.

GENEVIEVE V. LAZARTE
Liceo de Cagayan University High School
Cagayan de Oro City
1st PRIZE WINNER, High School Level

The impact of drug addiction in our society today is so intense that it results in a chaotic government and a dramatic decline of our country's economy.

Definitely, these illegal drugs lead to great dilemma among us, the youth. Destructive as they are, many of our peers are facing a lot of troubles in life making, their  future uncertain enough to make them a big liability to the society in the next years to come.

Feeling of depression, loneliness, helplessness, peer pressure, curiosity, lack of self-control, family problems and at times, poverty are just but some of the factors that lead an individual to fall into the dark world of drug addiction. The factors are so plenty and too vague that we need to act as AGENTS OF CHANGE. We,,the youth should be agents of change in every sense of the word. In every thing that we do; we always have the freedom of choice as to how to face the trials in life, whether in a positve or a negative way. A positive or a brave manner may be shown by trying to solve them squarely. However, a negative or a cowardly way of facing problems is greatly manifested by indulging In drug addiction. By all means, the youth, despite the hardships in life, can keep themselves busy with worthwhile activites such as sports, cultureand the arts, have the courage to say "No" to temptations, have discipline, self-control, love and affection with one another and above all, have faith in God.

The youth must be mindful to the bad effects brought about by the use of illegal drugs, We must be aware of the constant changes in our society and be ready to  adjust without compromises. We should uphold the name of our society. Shouting "No to Drugs" is just not enough. Action and cooperation should go hand in hand. As an agent of change, a consolidated effort is necessary among the youth. Each of our helping hands must reach out to the call for action. Let us help clean up the mess and eliminate the ugly graffiti of drug addiction through an active involvement and a genuine concern.

NICOLE FERNAN L. CAMINIAN
Colegio de San Jose, Jaro, Iloilo City
1st PRIZE WINNER, Elementary Level

As you can see, our world is so messed up ... with the growing population, more people suffer from poverty, the rich becomes richer in the society, there are a lot of injustices, graft and corruption is not new in the government, and rnostot all, the crime rate among the nations are increasing due to drug addiction.

Philippines is, one of these nations. Furthermore, the ones that are most influenced are the Filipino youth who are destined to be the future of our country -,MaRY lives are destroyed due to the wide spread use of drugs. The so called "big people" in our society are the ones who serve as producers, bidding other people, especially the less fortunate, for them to earn money without thinking what harm it will cause them. .

We are the future generation, the hope of our Fatherland. No one else can clean up the mess that our fellowmen have scattered but ourselves. If they could not be good examples for us, then we could be for them. We can show them that there are a lot of things which they can do to make this world a better place to live in. Not of greed, violence and vices; not with the use of illegal drugs but of love, peace, unity and living life for the goodness of others. Above all, let us live up to the thought of influencing others for the common good and not being influenced by the use of illegal drugs. I believe that we will be able to sweep away the "filthiness" that has already piled up within our society and in. our country only if we will unite.

Only the P5.00 has a new design, the other three (3) are reissues of the 3 definitives originally issued on December 1, 2001 but with the year date changed to "2002".

The P5.00 definitive was actually issued earlier than the scheduled date, on February 27, 2002. Official first day covers has this single definitive, only as the other 3 were not considered new stamps and were issued as the need for that particular denomination arose. So the P17.00 was issued on March 13, the P21 ,00 on March 19 and the P22.00 on April 23, 2002.