The Philippine Postal Corporation will issue a pair of stamps to commemorate the Quadricentennial of the San Agustin Church.

The San Agustin Church, in Intramuros, marks this year the 400th anniversary of its construction. Finished in 1604, it becomes the oldest stone church in the Philippines.

The history of San Agustin dates back to 1570, year in which Legazpi founded Manila and the Augustinian fathers built the first temporary church with thatch and bamboo on the land donated to them by Legazpi himself. Three other churches were built and destroyed by fire. In 1586 the Augustinians, triggered by the new technique of stone cutting and lime and sand mixing, imported by Jesuit Antonio Sedeno, approved a resolution to construct a new church entirely of hewn stone. Construction started in 1587. Antonio de Morga and the private meeting of the Augustinians, reveal that in 1604 the church was already completed. Historically, then, the San Agustin Church is the oldest stone church in the country, despite claims by other churches for this distinction. Read more

Stamps, miniature sheets and Official First Day Covers will be available starting 13 November 2004 at the Philatelic Service, Door 203, Liwasang Bonifacio, 1000 Manila and all Regional Offices of the Philippine Postal Corporation.