International Philippine Philatelic Society

Two Philippine Stamp Collectors Honored at WESTPEX

The International Philippine Philatelic Society (IPPS) awarded Robert Yacano and Abraham Luspo, Jr. with the Society's highest tribute, the "IPPS Lifetime Achievement Award". Don Peterson, IPPS Overseas Coordinator, presented the award to Robert Yacano and Abraham Luspo at the IPPS meeting held on April 26, 2008, at the Western Philatelic Exhibition (WESTPEX), South San Francisco, California. Established in 2008, the award honors Philippine stamp collectors who have provided exceptional service and many years of dedication in support and promotion of Philippine philately.

Robert Yacano, of Toast, North Carolina, has been a Philippine stamp dealer and collector since 1970. With the assistance of his wife Angela, he has edited the IPPS Philippine Philatelic Journal and its predecessors for 23 years, creating a highly successful and award-winning publication - making it the focal point, the heart, and vision of IPPS and Philippine philately. He is retiring as editor the end of this year. In 2005, he published the monograph, Postal History of the Philippine Rebellion, 1898-1901, the most comprehensive study of the stamps and postal history of the 1898-1899 revolutionary period of the Philippines.

Abraham Luspo, Jr., of Manila, is an incredibly dedicated Philippine collector. He developed an outstanding educational web site on Philippine philately, featuring over 10,000 graphics of the finest examples of Philippine stamps and postal history - bringing the wonders of Philippine philately to the world. He is a renowned collector in his own right, his exhibits winning Gold medals at International expositions. He has also managed online auctions and prepared award-winning exhibits for others in the Philippine community. He retired as web master in 2007. IPPS member Tommy Sim is currently managing the web site: www.philippinephilatelist.net. .