MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) unveiled the “world’s longest usable” postage stamps for the holidays.

Titled Simbang Gabi sa Ilog Pasig (Christmas Dawn Masses along Pasig River), the stamp measures 234 millimeters (9 inches) in length. It features “special embellishments, including a four-color process with blue iridescent ink on the river and suprametal multi-level embossing on the churches.”

Simbang Gabi, a Filipino tradition dating back to the 1600s, is a series of nine consecutive evening or dawn masses that symbolize the nine months Mary bore Jesus in her womb.

Designed by Gelo Andres of Renacimiento Manila, it showcases nine iconic churches along the historic Pasig River: Binondo Church, Quiapo Church, Manila Cathedral, Sta. Ana Church, San Felipe Neri Church, San Pedro Macati Church, Guadalupe Church, Pasig Cathedral Church, and Antipolo Cathedral Church.

During the Spanish colonial era, the Pasig River served as the major transportation route for trade and commerce, connecting Manila Bay and Laguna de Bay.

According to PHLPost, the stamp aims to “raise awareness of the cultural and historical treasures along the Pasig River,” which is undergoing rehabilitation and restoration into an esplanade or promenade park.

The current administration, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has formed a new council to continue the rehabilitation of the river.

The council is set to create eight more esplanades along the river in three to five years. Since the creation of the council, however, only the esplanade behind the Manila Central Post Office has been developed so far. (READ MORE: Restoring the Pasig River: From one Marcos to another)

The unveiling coincided with the Christmas lighting ceremony at Manila City Hall on Friday evening, November 29.

Priced at P200, the special stamp is available for purchase at the PHLPost Office in Manila.

The release comes over a year after the Manila Central Post Office was heavily damaged by a devastating fire.

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– with reports from Iya Gozum/Rappler.com