While paper banknotes—still in circulation—continue to honor our heroes, Banko Sentral ang Pilipinas’ (BSP) latest polymer series highlights the Philippines’ rich biodiversity. The banknotes’ design demonstrates dynamism and artistry, promoting a deeper appreciation of the archipelago’s distinctive flora and fauna, which form part of our identity.
CCL Secure, an Australian company known for introducing the world’s first polymer banknotes, collaborated with Note Printing Australia (NPA), a trusted printing firm under the Reserve Bank of Australia, and the BSP, to complete the Philippines’ latest batch of polymer money.
CCL Secure has engineered the GUARDIAN™ substrate, which produced over 75 billion banknotes to date. This ensures the most durable, secure, and sustainable money.
Design and Production
The design process behind the currency notes involves a delicate balance between art, security, and usefulness. It begins by plotting the banknotes’ principal features, such as central portraits, cultural symbols, and security measures. These features are then hand-drawn and digitally created, subject to feedback from the team and critical local stakeholders.
These banknotes are produced by melting and forming plastic pellets into sheets through advanced printing processes, considering their background colors, tactile marks for the vision impaired, and security features, such as raised printing and clear windows. Once the serial numbers are added, the sheets will be separated into individual notes, checked for quality, and stored for safety.
50-Peso Note (Vidal’s lanutan tree and Taal Lake)
Photo: Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)
The Vidal’s lanutan tree belongs to the same family as the gumamela uproots. As the lanutan tree settles deeply, it has much to say about roots-holding to our heritage and traditional values. Meanwhile, with its calm waters reaching inside the Taal Volcano’s crater, Taal Lake bears testimony to the balance of serenity and change.
100-Peso Note (Palawan peacock-pheasant, Mayon Volcano, and the butandings)
The Palawan peacock-pheasant (sandakan) embodies strength, beauty, and grace with its iridescent tail feathers. At the same time, Mayon Volcano has a perfect cone shape, a true natural beauty.
The butandings, or whale sharks, have been associated with good fortune. Fishermen believe they are kind-hearted spirits, akin to the gentle hearts of our grandmothers.
500-Peso Note (Visayan spotted deer, Puerto Princesa Underground River, and blue-naped parrot)
The Visayan spotted deer, an endangered nocturnal species, stands for clarity and sharpness, reminding us to value and protect what is precious. Meanwhile, the Puerto Princesa Underground River symbolizes the Philippine islands’ tranquility and splendor. The blue-naped parrot, another endangered species, speaks of hope for resurgence and conservation, encouraging Filipinos to appreciate the environment and embrace their beautiful natural world.
1000-Peso Note (Philippine eagle and sampaguita)
The Philippine eagle stands for strength, freedom, and greatness, similar traits associated with the resilient Filipinos. As a rare, majestic bird, it reminds people to care for their precious natural treasures. The sampaguita, on the other hand, is the national flower that symbolizes purity, humility, and resilience.
RELATED: Explore these paintings that have similar subjects as these banknotes.
Photos: Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Note Printing Australia (NPA)
— Toby Denise Concepcion
