Philippine Stamp: National Gem (South Sea Pearls)

The South Sea pearl is the unofficial national gem of the Philippines.

South Sea pearls are produced by the Pinctada maxima, a species of pearl oyster in the family Pteriidae. Pinctada maxima, the largest pearl oysters in the world, are found in the Philippines, Australia and Fiji.

The South Sea pearl is also featured in the reverse side of the Philippine one thousand peso bill of the New Generation Banknote Series.

Philippine Stamp: Visayan Spotted Deer

The Visayan Spotted Deer (Rusa alfredi, syn. Cervus alfredi), also known as the Philippine Spotted Deer, is a nocturnal and endangered species of deer located primarily in the rainforests of the Visayan islands of Panay and Negros though it once roamed other islands such as Cebu, Guimaras, Leyte, Masbate, and Samar. It is one of three endemic deer species in the Philippines, although it was not recognized as a separate species until 1983.