New Generation Trips

Last Thursday, December 16, 2010, the New Generation Series was launched at Malacañang. I was at home watching the event at NBN.

Around 4:30 PM, the new designs were revealed. It felt so great as I took a glance at each bill.

20 Peso - The face of a much younger Manuel L. Quezon, Malacañang Palace

The back shows the Banaue Rice Terraces, Alamid

50 Pesos - A younger Sergio Osmeña, The Leyte Landing

The back shows Taal Lake and Maliputo Fish

100 pesos - Almost similar face of Manuel Roxas, old CBP building

The back shows the Mayon Volcano, Butanding of Sorsogon

200 pesos - Diosdado Macapagal, Barasoain Church

The back shows the Chocolate Hills and Tarsier

500 pesos - Smiling faces of Tita Cory and Ninoy

The back shows the Subterranean River and Blue-naped Parrot

1000 pesos - The faces of WW2 heroes: Jose Abad Santos, Vicente Lim, Josefa Llanes Escoda, their Medal of Honor

The back shows Tubbataha Reefs and the South Sea Pearl

At first, the vibrant color of the new designs were quite disturbing but as I view them for some time, they made me proud as a Filipino. The BSP did a great job on these bills.

The New Generation Series will not only serve as our currency but a tourism promotion as well.

I am proud to say that among the tourist spots at the back of each banknotes, I have seen the Taal and the Mayon Volcanoes already. I have been into Albay and saw the Mayon Volcano in the year 2004 and I was in first year high when I first saw the Taal from Tagaytay. Back then, my interest in traveling was not as much as today. But I am sure, these two volcanoes are worthy of your money and time.

I can still remember, the Bicolanos are so proud of their almost perfect cone volcano. They welcomed us with great hospitality. Though I have not seen the volcano's full shape, it was raining and very cloudy that day. Every time we go town to town, I really can't keep my eyes away from the majestic Mayon Volcano, still hoping that the blanket of clouds would fade away.

We were on our way home from a retreat in Tagaytay when we stopped by the bilihan ng pasalubong. I went down the bus to buy some piña and other sweets. Our teacher then told us to look at our 9 O'clock. I turned my eyes toward left and I have seen the Taal lake. Within the lake there's the small volcano. Wow, simply an amazing sight.


Perhaps next year, I would take possession of each banknotes released, a much closer view. Also setting a goal: to be in the places printed at the back of the New Generation Series.


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