Philippine stamps exhibited in Xiamen

The Philippine stamps exhibition opens in Xiamen, Fujian province on April 9. [Photo/chinanews.com]

Over 10,000 stamps collected by an overseas Chinese in the Philippines, displaying different historic moments in the Southeastern Asian country, made their debut at the Xiamen Museum on April 9, local media reported.

Zhuo Peilin, collector and curator of the exhibition, reeled off the stories told by the stamps and said that the prized collector's items have endured the tumultuous evolution of the Philippines. They will bring the country's natural scenery, culture and history to visitors in Xiamen.

"A stamp, though small, carries with it a certain nostalgia that overseas Chinese retain for their motherland and beloved ones," Zhuo said.

He said the exhibition will strengthen the connection between overseas Chinese and China and improve Sino-Philippines relations.

Chinese people living abroad like to express their longing for home through art collections, Zhuo also started collecting stamps as early as the 1980s. He visited many antique shops and Chinese people in the Philippines over the next 30 years, slowly building up a massive portfolio.

"Chinese people tend to focus on the underlying meaning of artistic works, which reflect the stories of different times and regions and invite people to explore them," Zhuo added.

The exhibition will last until May 9.

Address: No 95 Tiyu Road, Siming district, Xiamen

Opening hours: 9am – 5pm (no admittance after 4:30), Tuesdays to Sundays