Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU), 100th Anniversary

 

The Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) comes out with an issue on March 19, 2012 that commemorates the 100th year of Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU).

Printed by Amstar Company, Inc., the 7p block of 4 stamp and the 28p souvenir sheet was designed by the Ateneo De Zamboanga University Centennial Committee. Victorino Z, Serevo did the lay-out while Sheila L. Pagotaisidro acted as design coordinator.   

Stamp # 1 features Fort Pilar Shrine built by Jesuit engineer, Fr. Melchor de Vera, S.J. The arrival of the first Jesuit Missionaries in 1635 marked the systematic beginnings of the Catholic Church of Zamboanga;

Stamp # 2 shows the Fr. William H. Kreutz, SJ Campus, the campus for basic education units;

Stamp # 3 portrays the Ateneo Brebeuf Gym, the oldest structure in La Purisima Campus.

Stamp # 4 depicts Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus.

Ateneo de Zamboanga started as Escuela Catolica, a small parochial school in 1912. Located at the old Immaculate Conception site, it was run by the Spanish Jesuits headed by Fr. Manuel M. Sauras who was committed to serve the community by educating and instilling the values of St. Ignatius de Loyola. The school was later called Ateneo de Zamboanga in 1916.    

During the Second World War, it was closed down but was reopened by the Japanese who made it as a public elementary school. On March 8 and 9, days before the liberation of Zamboanga City, the Americans shelled and bombed the school.

In 1947 the high school began accepting students and a year after, Ateneo de Zamboanga was officially recognized as a Jesuit school that operated independently from the parish. This historical transformation gave rise to what is now known as the century-old tradition of Jesuit Education.

In 1952, Ateneo de Zamboanga's college department was established while the graduate school came out with its first program in 1976. It was in the 1980's that Fr. Ernesto A. Carretero, SJ  worked so hard to acquire the university status of the school. When Fr. William H. Kreutz, SJ replaced Fr. Carretero as president in 1989, he continued the call to elevate the status of the school to a university.

On August 10, 2001, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) granted the university 

status along with the full deregulation and autonomy.                

After 100 years, Ateneo de Zamboanga continues its mission in working for a progressive Western Mindanao. To date, it has two undergraduate schools and three colleges (Arts and Sciences, Education, Management and Accountancy, Science and Information Technology and Nursing) as well as three professional schools (Graduate School, School of Medicine and the College of Law in partnership with Xavier University).

With a 6,822 population and a new building in Tumaga, Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) continues to gear up for a wider horizon and a promising future.

Davao City, 75th Anniversary

On March 16, 2012, the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) comes out with a commemorative block of 4 stamp highlighting the 75th anniversary of the City of Davao.

The 4 stamps were designed by the Davao City 75^th Anniversary Committee with the photos provided by the City Tourism Office of Davao. The lay-out was by Victorino Z. Serevo with Atty. Lyka Lopez and Jason Magnaye as design coordinators. Amstar Company, Inc. printed the stamps.

Stamp # 1 shows the façade of the City Hall with the anniversary logo;

Stamp # 2 highlights the Kadayawan Festival, the King of all Festivals known to Davaoenos. Kadayawan is derived from the Mandaya word “madayaw”, a warm and friendly greeting used to explain a thing that is valuable, beautiful, superior, good or profitable. In 1988, it was renamed as “Kadayawan sa Davao”. The festival honors the city’s richness, diverse artistic, cultural and historical heritage in a grand celebration of thanksgiving for all of Davao City’s blessings.

Stamp # 3 features Davao City's famous Waling-waling orchid. It is described as the “Queen of the Philippine Orchids”. It is one of the largest species in the world and was discovered in Davao at around 1880 by Carl Roebellin, a German Plant explorer. It was named Vanda Sanderiana in 1882 by German Orchid taxonomist Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach and grows on tree trunks in the rainforests of Davao, Sultan Kudarat and other parts of Mindanao. The Waling-waling blooms only once a year, between July and October.

Stamp # 4 showcases  Mt. Apo, the Philippines’ highest mountain and home or nestling ground of the Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi). Mt. Apo is a volcanic mountain that is located between the provinces of Davao del Sur and North Cotabato in Mindanao, Philippines. It is the country’s highest peak towering at 10,311 feet and the grandfather of all the Philippine mountains. On the other hand, the Philippine Eagle is n eagle of the family Accipitridae that is endemic to the forests in the Philippines. It is among the rarest and most powerful birds in the world. It has been declared the National Bird of the Philippines.

Davao's history was recorded as early as 1848. Davao used to be known as Nueva Vergara, a distinct geopolitical entity during the last 50 years of Spanish rule in the country. 

In 1868, what used to be known as Nueva Vergara became Davao, a name derived from its Bagobo origins. The Tagabawa called the river "Dabo", the  Giangan or Diangan who called it “Dawaw”, and the Obo called it “Davah”. 

During the year 1868,  the Spaniards became successful in the systematic and concerted effort in winning over the native inhabitants to the folds of Christian life. Three Jesuits missionaries who arrived in Davao to take over the mission from the lone Recollect priest in the Gulf area started this cause.

In the earlier years of American rule which was in December 1898, the town became the new growth center of the Philippines. The American settlers immediately recognized Davao’s rich potential for agricultural investment. Davao soon became one of the major producers of export products such as abaca, copra, and lumber in the first two decades of the 20^th century.  Inter-island vessels made the whole province a regular port of call in addition to the rise in numerous stores and business establishments. Davao's population rose rapidly and became a key contributor to the country's economy and foreign trade.

On October 16, 1936, by virtue of Commonwealth Act No. 51, popularly known as the Charter of the City of Davao, the Municipality of Davao became a city under the sponsorship of Assemblyman Romualdo C. Quimpo. On March 1, 1937, the city was officially inaugurated with the presence of Elpidio Quirino, the Secretary of Interior who was President Manuel L. Quezon's representative.

During World War II, Davao City was greatly devastated with the most number of lives lost compared to any city in the country. Gradually, Davao regained its status as the main agricultural and the trade center of Mindanao. Logs, lumber, plywood, copra and banana products replaced abaca as the major export products. The City of Davao came to be known as “the Melting Pot of the Philippines”. Davao aims to be the new Gateway of the Philippines.

To celebrate its 75^th year, the City of Davao looks forward to accelerating further its economic development. As always, the city is blessed with a lot of picturesque landscapes and numerous ethnic tribes who continue to live as they did centuries ago.

50 Years of the Diocese of Malolos

A set of stamps composing of a 7p se-tenant pair and a 40p souvenir sheet is issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) on January 25, 2012 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Diocese of Malolos.

The first stamp shows the image of the Virgen Inmaculada Concepcion de Malolos and the anniversary logo while the second stamp features the façade of the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral and Minor Basilica.

Jesus Alfredo Delos Santo did the stamps layout with Rex Mangalindan and Victorino Serevo as design coordinators. Rev. Fr. Jay Lina, Chairman of the Cultural Heritage Committee supplied the photos.

The Diocese of Malolos that has jurisdiction over the entire Province of Bulacan and the City of Valenzuela in Metropolitan Manila and an Archdiocese of Manila suffragan was created on March 11, 1962 by Pope John XXIII. Rev. Manuel del Rosario was installed by Papal Nuncio Salvatore Siino as the first bishop of the Diocese. Most Rev. Jose F. Oliveros, D.D. is the current and 4th Bishop of Malolos.

100 Years of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines

The Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) released on January 19, 2012 a se-tenant pair commemorating 100 years of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines.

Stamp #1 on 7p highlights the Grand Lodge of the Philippines Building and President Manuel L. Quezon. Stamp #2 also on 7p, shows the Plaridel Masonic Temple with Dr. Jose Rizal, Marcel H. del Pilar and Mariano Ponce.

Photo above shows the 7p se-tenant pair and the official First Day Cover.

In one of my exhibits featuring the Philippine Heroes for Cebu Stamp Club, I included a complete collection of stamps featuring the personalities involved in Philippine Freemasonry.

 

Philippine Masonry's beginnings is similar to the history of the first Grand Lodge. It was in 1717 during the Feast of St. John the Baptist that four masonic lodges in Great Britain formed the first Grand Lodge of the world.

The idea of organizing Freemasonry in the country was conceived by Marcelo H. del Pilar and Dr. Jose P. Rizal. In 1891, with the consent of the Grand Oriente Español, Nilad Lodge No. 144 was established. With this accomplishment, M.H. del Pilar otherwise known as "Plaridel" in the Philippine Revolutionary movement gained the honor of being called the Father of Philippine Masonry. 

Prominent Filipinos who were against the Spanish colonial rule were masons. These include Marcelo H. del Pilar (Bulacan), Jose Rizal (Laguna), Mariano Ponce (Bulacan), Graciano Lopez Jaena (Iloilo), Juan Luna (Ilocos), Antonio Luna (Ilocos), Galicano Apacible (Batangas), Domingo Panganiban (Camarines Norte), Jose Alejandrino (Pampanga), Tomas Arejola (Camarines Sur), Ariston Bautista (Manila), Julio Llorente (Cebu), Andres Bonifacio (Tondo) and Emilio Aguinaldo (Cavite).

On December 19, 1912, three lodges that were chartered under the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of California were successful in establishing the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippine Islands (now known as the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines). 

President Manuel L. Quezon who was initiated at Sinukuan Lodge No. 16, Free and Accepted Masons, Manila was a driving force in unifying the Filipino and American Lodges on February 13, 1917. He came to be known as the first Filipino Grandmaster of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Mason of the Philippines.

Lyceum of the Philippines University Celebrates 60 Years

The Philippine Postal Corporation (Philpost) comes out with its first stamp for 2012 that commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Lyceum of the Philippines University.

Founded by Jose P. Laurel on July 7, 1952, the university's educational vision was based on the principles set by its founder. The school derived its name from lykeion, the grove in ancient Athens where Aristotle taught his students.

Foreign service is the flagship course of the school and is considered to be the best in the country. A lot of graduates from Lyceum became leaders and officials in the public service and in the foreign affairs department.

The Lyceum of the Philippines University commemorative stamp is released today, January 2, 2012 with a value of Php 7.00.

Prominent on the stamp is the magnificent tower of the LPU that has survived the test of time. The number 60 on golden yellow represents the anniversary celebration with the Philippine map in the background. Also shown is the inscription on white, "A Jose P. Laurel Legacy" which immortalizes the man who has inspired the university to achieve academic excellence through the years.