MANILA – The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) recently launched a new stamp collection that honors three of the country’s music icons.

Rene Garcia, Rico J. Puno, and Pepe Smith have been immortalized on the “Pinoy Music Icons” stamps of PHLPost, which is celebrating the 252nd anniversary of the Philippine Postal Service and the 25th year of National Stamp Collecting Month.

The stamps are available at the Manila Central Post Office, Liwasang Bonifacio, and in other area post offices nationwide for P45 each. A souvenir strip featuring all three artists is priced at P135.

These may also be viewed in an exhibit at the Manila Central Post Office lobby until November 22.

Garcia is a member of the Hotdog band, which is credited for ushering in the “Manila sound” of uniquely Filipino dance tunes in the ‘70s. He died of cardiac arrest in September last year at the age of 65.

A “Total Entertainer,” Puno rose to fame in the ‘70s with hits like “May Bukas Pa,” “Macho Gwapito,” and “Kapalaran,” among others. Like Garcia, he was 65 years old when he passed away in 2018.

Smith, meanwhile, is dubbed the “Father of Philippine Rock” as the vocalist and drummer of the Juan dela Cruz Band, with hits such as “Beep Beep” and “Balong Malalim.” He passed away last January at the age of 71.