The Philippine Online Chronicles

Twitter was abuzz with excitement as Jay Jaboneta, new media head of the Presidential Communications Operations Office relayed the news of the launch on the new generation Philippine bank notes the night before December 16. All I knew was that President Benigno Aquino III signature is part of the bank notes. Another tweet from a friend revealed that Studio 5 was one of the designers who collaborated in the reverse and obverse side of the money bills. It is the first major overhaul of our bank notes in a generation which meant that the design is expected to be new and innovative. Even with these new bills, the current bills can still be used within the next 3 years before they are demonetized. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) unveiled the new Philippine bills as well as its new security features on Thursday at the Malacanang Palace .

Launch of the New Generation Philippine Bank Notes

The President in his speech mentioned that the “notes are a portrait of changing times and of the enduring tapestry of our history. Let me thank all the artists, the designers, the consultants, the printers, and all BSP staff members who have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of this project.” Images of the new 500 peso bill soon flashed in Twitter bearing the smiling images of the president’s parents, the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino Jr. and the late former President Corazon C. Aquino – and his signature as president. History cannot deny the fact that they played a significant role in Philippine history by restoring our democracy. The 500 peso bill is also a first in the world, that features a married couple with their son as the signatory to it. Beaming with pride, the President said “it does make me happy as a son and as a Filipino to have my parents in the same bank notes – this is a testament to what they have sacrificed for our people and a testament of their love for country.” He further described the new Philippine Peso bills as the country’s “window to the world” and “these bank notes reflect new values of our collective efforts to… build on the successes of the past.”

New design, new security features

The new bills continue to honor “great Filipinos like former presidents Manuel Quezon, Sergio Osmena, Manuel Roxas, and Diosdado Macapagal. Former senator Ninoy Aquino, and war heroes Josefa Llanes Escoda, Vicente Lim, and Jose Abad Santos are also featured on the bills.” Amando Tetangco, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor said that the new bank notes “combine new and familiar elements” and retained colors to make sure people don’t get confused.

It contains micro prints and security threads that make it more difficult for counterfeiters to copy. The 200-peso, 500-peso and 1,000-peso bills each have a 4-mm security thread embedded on the paper. The vision-impaired will be able to take note of the numerical amount since it is embossed in the bill’s security feature. Other new security features include the word “Pilipino” written in Baybayin which can be seen in complete form when the note is viewed against the light and the seal of the Republic of the Philippines There is a patch where the colors change from blue to green and back to blue at a 45-degree angle.

The paper used is made up of 80% cotton and 20% abaca so the texture may feel a bit coarse. There is an anti-bacterial quality that can last up to more than 3 years for higher-denominated bills.

Behind the scenes

left to right: BG Hernandez and Marily Orosa of Studio 5 Designs, and Peachy Buñag and Paolo Buñag of Design Systemat

Design Systemat and Studio 5 Designs Inc. (Studio 5) emerged as the two designers for the new bills. The two groups collaborated in the reverse and obverse side of the money bills. It is interesting to see how the creative process entailed in the development of the new bills.

In an email interview with Ms. Marily Orosa, of Studio 5 , she said that “it was a blessing and an honor for Studio 5 Designs to have been involved in the design and development of the new generation bank notes of the BSP. It is a legacy that is priceless and memorable.” The main designer is multi-awarded designer, and VP Creatives BG Hernandez, with the support of Marily Orosa as head of account, Jay Bautista, Mhet Carranza and Ice de Leon.

The creative process began with a briefing of three design agencies in May 2009 who were chosen for track record. The three agencies worked on BSP projects and are known to BSP. The three agencies were given several possible themes to execute: national artists; national treasures, etc. and gave their first presentation to the Numismatic Committee headed by Deputy Gov. Diwa Gunigundo. The selection of Studio 5 Designs and Design Systemat came from of the Numismatic Committee and the Monetary Board headed by Gov Tetangco.

President Aquino was not even a candidate for the presidency when the project was started by BSP. BSP had been working on upgrading the security features and the aesthetics of the bank notes for 2 years before Studio 5 were called in. The design process began in June 2009 and was finalized in Feb 2010. According to Ms. Orosa, “the concept of the new design was decided on by BSP such as Philippine presidents and historic milestones on the obverse; and World Heritage Sites in the Philippines on the reverse.” Studio 5 dealt directly with the team of Gov. Diwa Guinigundo who is chair of the Numismatic Committee and the Corporate Affairs Office headed by Dir Fe de la Cruz.

“BSP decided not to deviate from the current colors but to make colors sharper and more pronounced. We used hues from the same color to add depth and dimension to the design. Not noticeable is a different colored hue which is hidden.”, Ms Orosa added.

Feng shui was not intentionally considered “although BSP had said that the Ninoy with his head resting on his hand was not a sign of good luck.” The images were taken from the photos that the family of Ninoy and Cory gave to Studio 5. Other sources of images came from the portraits from families, private collection, archives for the obverse

Once Studio 5 gave their final designs to BSP in Feb 2010, BSP turned them over to the winning originator, another group that designed the security features. The originator tweaked their designs to make way for the security marks that BSP wanted. When Studio 5 saw the proofs from the originator in August 2010, they gave many comments for improvement. Next time the Studio 4 saw the bank notes, they were already final and approved by BSP.

How do the bills look like?

The bills feature a woven cloth design that varies for each denomination.

Manila Bulletin gives very detailed description of the new bills while GMAnews.tv shows a slideshow.

The 20 peso bill has the image of former President Manuel Quezon and features Malacañang Palace and Filipino as the National Language in 1935. The reverse side highlights the Banaue Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and animal called “palm civet.” On the right is a weave design from the Cordilleras.

Featured in the P50 bill are former President Sergio S. Osmeña, the Leyte landing, and First National Assembly in 1907. The Taal Lake, the deepest freshwater lake found n the country, as well as the animal Maliputo are showed on the reverse side. On the right is a design highlight from an embroidery handcrafted in Batangas.

The images of former President Manuel Roxas, Central Bank, and the inauguration of the Third Republic last July 4, 1946 are found on the P100 bill. Shown on the reverse side are the majestic Mayon volcano and the whale shark, locally known as butanding. A detail from the design for an indigenous textile crated in Bicol region is also featured on the right side of the bill.

Former President Diosdado P. Macapagal is shown on the P200 bill alongside People Power II in January 2001 particularly the oath-taking of his daughter, former President Gloria Arroyo. Also shown on the front side of the bill are the Barasoain Church and the Independence House. The reverse side features the Bohol Chocolate Hills and the tarsier, one of the world’s smallest primates. On the right is a highlight from a design handcrafted in the Visayas.

An image of the late President Aquino is shown beside her husband, Senator Aquino, on the 500-peso bill. It also features the first EDSA People Power in February 1986 and the Benigno S. Aquino monument. The reverse side features the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the blue-naped parrot. Shown on the right is a design highlight from a woven cloth from Southern Philippines.

The 1,000-peso bill has the faces of Jose B. Abad Santos, who once served as Chief Justice; Vicente P. Lim, the first Filipino graduate of West Point; and Josefa Llanes Escoda, one of the founders of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.

It also features the Centennial of Philippine Independence in 1998 and the Medal of Honor. The reverse features Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the south sea pearl. On the right side is a highlight of design for Tinalak or Ikat-dyed abaca, which is woven in Mindanao.

Mixed reactions and errors cited

While many like me expressed  satisfaction with the new Philippine peso ills, a few people are "expressing their disappointment in the mislocation of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean Park and the Tubbataha Reefs in the P500 and P1000 bills. Errors that the government, or at least the BSP, should have seen." Jon Villasper, a cartographer who is also a member of the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines said that they made a "very big booboo with the parrot". The reverse side of the "new 500-peso bill features a rare native bird, the blue-naped parrot, with its red beak incorrectly rendered in yellow and the tail feathers underneath colored green instead of yellow." BSP Deputy governor Diwa Gunigundo defended the errors saying that "if we want to make the Philippine map that specific and accurate we would have had to draw all 7,000 islands"

I also noticed a religious quote "Pinagpala ang bayan na ang Diyos ay ang Panginoon" on the third line of the bill. I believe placing a religious quote is a first in our currency. The quote is quite similar to"Blessed is the Nation Whose God is the Lord" (Psalm 33:12). The Filipino Freethinkers cites that the quotation from the Christian Old Testament and "its placing on legal tender is a manifest violation of the Constitution and the right to religious freedom of the country’s citizens as it forces even non-Christians to participate in the distribution of explicitly Judeo-Christian material."

Alain Del B.Pascua, KAAKBAY President notes that the Coat-of-Arms of the Republic of the Philippines, which the BSP erroneously referred to as “Seal of the President” in all its descriptions of the new banknotes. "Why is the Bald Eagle of the United States of America and the Lion-Rampant of Spain (the Charge of the Kingdom of Leon) included in the depiction of the Coat of Arms of the Republic of the Philippines when these symbols and representation of colonial history are no longer mentioned in the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines?"

A facebook user says "it reeks too much of nepotism and self promotion for one family. The problem is they focus too much on putting the aquino faces in the peso bills when what noynoy should be concerned about is putting more peso bills in the pockets of more filipinos, specially the poor."  A comment in this forum says the bill serves as propaganda material to "further legitimize political dynasties". One also said that the smiling Ninoy and Cory freaked him out. A Muslim noted that there is no symbol that shows they are part of the Philippines. Most of the facebook users' comments in President Aquino's official Facebook page said that the bills are "beautiful". One hopes that "with the spirit of Filipino optimism, may the this new bills help uplift the lives of our countrymen who live below poverty line."

Ms. Orosa, believes that “the new notes speak of a noble race of people who fought for freedom and continue to love democracy. It is also a reminder of God's abundant blessings of beautiful natural resources, flora and fauna that are unique to our country. Lastly, the new bank notes are a symbol of change as we move on to a new season of hope for restoration, prosperity and peace.”

The President then lets you take a look at the image of a sun radiating at the back of the 500 peso bills. He said “This is what we have fought for, and this is what the Filipino people achieved last May—a government that works doubly hard to bring its people into the light of day once more. Let us continue down this path. May the bills we are launching today remind us of the cost of our current freedom, and of what this country asks of us, especially during times of hardship. Together, let us defend this daylight we have clamored so long for. Together, let us rebuild this country.”

Update (December 20): More errors cited in the new bills and the side of the Philippine government

Photo of President Aquino from Official facebook account. Photo of Studio 5 used with permission . Images of the Philippine peso bills from BSP but taken from various sites. Some Rights Reserved