Christmas will be extra special for Filipino kids this year because they will be receiving as "aginaldos" (cash gifts) the new bank notes which was only released last Thursday. These bills, which took almost three years to conceptualize and print, feature new elements that makes it more difficult for counterfeiters to copy.
Aside from Filipinos who played significant roles at various moments in our history (with their younger faces), the new bank notes also feature iconic natural wonders and numerous heritage sites our country is known for, together with the fauna specie found only in that specific area and a special artwork, weave, or print.
But the best change for me was the fact that late President Corazon Aquino now joins his husband Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino in the Php500 bill. I just find it romantic to see that from a forlorn-looking man to a revived, jovial one, it seemed Ninoy seemed happier that at last, they are together again. Not to mention that their son signs the said bill (and all others) as the President of the republic.
See old Php500 bill below:
Serious Ninoy
Aaaawww...
