POSTCARD N.211 -  PHILIPPINES

Postcard sent on the 21st January; received on the 12th February 2026.

Postcard image: Matinloc shrine

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The restless wanderer was on the move again. This time to southeast Asia, it seems, judging from  the postcard that Mr. Postman dropped today on my letterbox. The Philippines... not an usual visitor to my blog. I'm really thankful to The Ghost who Walks, my friend The Phantom, for his continued support of this humble album of covers and cards. Danke Sehr, Alex!

Matinloc Shrine, an abandoned religious structure devoted to the Virgin Mary is located on the Island of the same name

From what I could read on the Internet, the shrine was built in the early 80s of last century, by a wealthy Philippine businessman, but after some years it was left on its own and is now but another tourist attraction, with years of neglect slowly making their way into the structure.

Be it as it may, the island itself probably more than deserves a visit, judging from the colour and transparency of the waters that surround it, provided one does not forget to take a snorkel and goggles along...

The 17 Pesos stamp bearing the image of a Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga Jeffereyi), a critically endangered species, endemic to the forests of the Philippines Archipelago, was issued on AUG2024, included in a definitive  three stamp issue dedicated to National Symbols.

The postcard bears two different postmarks both bearing the identification of the Post Office of El Nido, in the province of Palawan, a town that serves as gateway to the islands of the Bacuit archipelago, including Matinloc