Centre Escolar University was established on June 3, 1907 by Doha Librada Avelino and Dona Carmen de Luna for the instruction and training of the youth in all branches of the arts and sciences. With some benches, a single blackboard and a few books, the two educators steadfastly nurtured a dream of establishing a nationalistic center of learning for Filipino women. The first college, that of Pharmacy, opened in 1921. The Colleges of Liberal Arts, Education and Dentistry followed one after the other. Three years later, the College of Optometry was established.

Beginning as the Centre Escolar de Senoritas, the school was granted university status by the Philippine government in 1932. It has then steadily grown as an institution under the leadership of noted educators who have contributed much to the development of their respective professions. Past Presidents include Dr. Pilar Hidalgo-Lim, an educator and civic leader, Dr. Dionisio C. Tiongco, another renowned scholar and educator, and Dr. Lourdes T. Echauz, a distinguished philanthropist and educator. The immediate past President, Dr. Rosita L. Navarro is a recognized educator, role model, leader of knowledge workers and an advocate of the balance between globalization and Filipinization. The current President, Dr. Ma. Cristina D. Padolina, was a former Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Open University.

With four campuses and over 50 academic programs, CEU has gone far beyond its founders' vision, buildings steps towards dreams and goals of the Filipino youth.

The launching of two beautiful special stamps in celebration of the 108th Anniversary of the Postal Service pays tribute to the sturdiness and beauty of the post office building in Manila. The stamps aptly capture in miniature the main post office building, from its ruins to restoration. Touted as one of the most dominating landmarks in Metro Manila and considered the grandest and the most beautiful building of its time, it was built during the early American occupation in 1926. The building's Roman-ionic architectural design is considered the perfect model of Neo-Classical architecture popular during the 1920s.

The design was the product of combined efforts of noted Filipino and American architects namely Ralph Doane, Tomas Mapua and Juan Arellano. The Philippine Postal Corporation is indeed fortunate to be its owner and to be housed in it.

The building was heavily damaged in the last World War but was restored faithfully according to its original design after the liberation of Manila in 1946, to become the splendid structure that it is now. Today, it stands proud and pleased face to face with the other classical buildings nearby.

Just as the post office building survived through out all these years, so has the postal service able to withstand and endured the many challenges that tested its very existence. To chronicle this achievement is simply to celebrate the determination, perseverance and loyalty of those many individuals who have aided in sustaining this great institution for the past 108 years.

Many Jesuit missionaries who left China in 1949 found a new home and mission in the overseas Chinese community of the Philippines. Eventually, through sheer determination, perseverance, and faith, an international group of Jesuits led by the late Frs. Jean Desautels, Louis Papilla, and Cornelius Pineau set up Xavier School (Kuang Chi).

In 1956, in a converted warehouse in Echague, Manila, the school opened its doors, welcoming its initial batch of students - 170 children of Chinese immigrants in the Philippines. The school was named after St. Francis Xavier, the original inspiration behind Jesuit missions in China—pursued but unwillingly left unfinished by the school's Jesuit founders. The school was also named after Paul Hsu Kuangchi (Xu Guangqi), a 16th-century Chinese nobleman and high court official who converted to Christianity and supported its spread in China.

The Jesuit hallmark of academic excellence quickly established the school's reputation. In 1960, Xavier School transferred to a 7-hectare property in Greenhills, San Juan, then only an area of rice fields and grasslands. Within a decade, the outlying areas became home to many Xavier families, evolving into one of Manila's most dynamic Chinese-Filipino communities today. The present campus is a complex of 12 buildings housing over 4000 students from Nursery to High School.

True to its identity as a missionary school, Xavier has been educating Chinese Filipinos from the very beginning, although never in an exclusive manner, as evidenced by the significant and still growing number of Filipinos among its students and alumni. Xavier School understood its unique mission as one of evangelizing the local Chinese and promoting their integration into Philippine society. It was a task of building two bridges: the bridge between Christ and the Chinese Filipinos (Evangelization), and the bridge between the Chinese community and the larger Philippine society (Integration).

Unlike other Chinese schools in the Philippines, Xavier School was established as an all-boys school, a Filipino school with an English curriculum that integrated Chinese studies. Through its Grant-in-Aid program, the school offers, scholarships to students who qualify, but cannot afford a Xavier education.

For the past fifty years, the school has been providing quality Jesuit education and formation by forming its students into "men for others" guided by the six C's, the six Xavier values that define the Xaverian: Competence, Culture, Compassion, Conscience, Character, and Community. Xavier School's motto is "Luceat Lux" or "Let your light shine!" capturing the school's vision of developing "men fully alive, endowed with a passion for justice and the skills for development."

The hospital that we are serving today began on December 10, 1906, as a small clinic, the Dispensaria Betana in a Bible School for women along Rizal Avenue in Sta. Cruz, Manila. The room was offered by the principal of the Bible school at the request of Dr. Rebecca Parish, missionary doctor from Indiana, USA.

The clinic had Dr. Parish as the doctor, and along with her were three young Filipinas loaned from the Bible School to assist her. For equipment, they had a desk, a chair with three legs, an enameled bowl, and a pitcher with most of the enamel off. As crude as the clinic was, overflowed with patients everyday. The password was simply, "May sakit po ako".

The hospital transferred to its present site in 1908. The cost of the lot and the first building was paid from a gift of $12,500 given by Mr. Danii S.B. Johnston, a Methodist layman from St. Paul, Minnesota as a memorial for his late missionary wife, Mrs. Mary Johnston. The hospital was better known then as a maternity and children's hospital.

At the outbreak of World War II, the hospital became an emergency hospital where the wounded from the war were hospitalized. On February 5, 1945, the hospital succumbed to the fires. All was burned except the skeleton of a concrete porch upon which still hung the sign untouched by the fire, "Mary Johnston Hospital". To the staff, this became a symbol of things to come, that out of the ruins of what was once the hospital
would arise a bigger and better hospital.

The present building was inaugurated on August 26, 1950 at which no less than the late President Elpidio Quirino was the guest speaker. T quotes from Pres. Quirino's address at that time of the inauguration, "I wish there were more hospitals in the country that could render as much service as this hospital has rendered".

Mary Johnston Hospital today still continues to pursue the mission of Dr. Parrish. Undaunted by the high cost of medical service, she nevertheless persists in providing the best service available. As it was in Dr. Parish's time, MJH today accepts all who come to her, whatever color, creed, religion or political persuasion. Even with the very limited resources at hand, she strives to give the best service she can afford the reason why she has always been known for quality service. Her staff are dedicated people, committed to the cause of love expressed concretely in Devoted Service.

Two features characterized the building: its stark simplicity and the three rounded arches that announce a welcome. The three arches are a symbol of the Trinity in Unity and the Unity in Three - the core for Whom the school exists and towards Whom all in it leads.

The facade is completely bare except for the seal at the center, which bears the Greek initials of Jesus Christ, the One in Three. It speaks of the singleness of purpose: honor and glory for Him in all endeavors within its walls and beyond - within this century and onwards in time.

The turn of the twentieth century brought about dramatic changes in the life of the Philippines. In I898, Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States. Then in 1902 the Philippine Education Act established the system of public schools, and no religious instruction was allowed in those schools. There was a great need for English-speaking teachers, new Catholic schools and missionaries as most of the Spanish missionaries and clergy had left the country.

Among the new religious that opened new schools were Sisters from a young missionary congregation in Germany - the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing. Arriving in Manila on September 14, 1906, they started their mission: educating young and old, in schools and in outlying places, helping communities towards self-help and better livelihood; healing the sick, caring for the environment, for those in welfare institutions, seasides, farms, providing special education for the lumads and the Aetas.

In 1906 there were 5 of them, all Germans, bringing Christ's love to the Filipinos. Today there are more than 200 of them, mostly Filipinos, spreading that same love, not only in our country but in other countries too: India, Korea, Argentina, Spain, Australia, Angola, Germany, Bulgaria, Namibia, Tanzania, Italy, Portugal.

Corrections in the Philippines started during pre colonial times. It was however only during the Spanish regime when an organized corrective service was made operational. The main penitentiary was the Old Bilibid Manila, which was established in 1847 pursuant to Section 1708 of the Revised Administrative Code. Royal Decree in 1865.

When the Americans took over in the 1900s, the Bureau of Prisons was created under the Reorganization Act of 1905 (Act No. 1407 dated November 1, 1905) as an agency under the Department of Commerce and Police. On January 1, 1915, the San Ramon Prison was placed under the auspices of the Bureau of Prisons and started receiving prisoners from Mindanao.

Before the reconstruction of San Ramon Prison, the Americans established in 1904, the luhit penal settlement (now Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm) on a vast reservation of 28,072 hectares.

Other penal colonies were established during the American regime.   On November 27, 1929, the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) was created under Act No. 3579 while Davao Penal Colony in Southern Mindanao was opened in 1932 under Act No. 3732. The CIW was founded to provide separate facilities for women offenders.

Owing to the increasing number of committals to the Old Bilibid Prison in Manila, the New Bilibid Prison was established in 1935 in a southern suburb of Muntinlupa, Rizal.

Two more penal institutions would later be established. These were Sablayan Prison and penal farm in Occidental Mindoro under Proclamation No. 72 issued on September 26, 1954 and Leyte Regional Prison under Proclamation No. 1101 issued on January 16, 1973.

The Bureau of Prisons was renamed Bureau of Corrections under the New Administrative Code of 1987 issued on November 23, 1987 and Proclamation no. 495 of the President. It is one of the attached agencies under the supervision and control of the Department of Justice.

The FSCC started as the Manila Stamp Collectors' Club (MSCC). On January 15, 1995 it held its first meeting at Wendy's-Escolta. Elated by the response, the organizers decided to hold monthly meetings and auctions thereafter.

On April 1998, it held its first stamp exhibit dubbed “Manpex '98 Summer Stamp Festival" with then Postmaster General Alvin Dans as the guest of honor. In the same year, the MSCC joined the Philippine Philatelic Federation.

In 2000. MSCC was renamed Filipinas Stamp Collectors' Club. Over the last ten years then, it has grown into one of the country's leading societies for stamp collectors. Besides its monthly meeting and auctions, and annual competitive exhibitiors. FSCC continues to conduct lectures in schools under the auspices of the Philippine Philatelic Federation.

Many of its members have participated and won awards at various international stamp exhibitions. The Philippine Postal Corporation through the Philatelic Service Office has continued to render invaluable support to the clubs' various activities to make known the art of stamp collecting.

The founding members of the FSCC are Josefina T. Cura, William Go, Rosemary Uy, Ma. Lourdes Watiwat. and Eliezer Jimenez. Alfonso Cruz later joined the group in the Board of Trustees.

The overprinted Souvenir Sheet and official First Day Cover will be available starting September 14, 2005 at the Philatelic. Service Office. Door 203. Liwasang Bonifacio, 1000 Manila and at all Regional Office of the Philippine Postal Corporation.

The Philippine Rotary Centennial stamp is a joint project of the Rotary Club of Makati Central (RCMC) and the R.I. District 3830.  The Centennial Stamp bears the Bayanihan design which was chosen because it also symbolizes Rotary's Ideal of Service, particularly referring to the Filipinos' spirit of unity and cooperation and the Filipino value of helping one another and working together toward the attainment of a worthwhile goal.

It is RCMC's humble share to commemorate the Centennial of Rotary International through an artistic depiction of the Bayanihan spirit, which Rotarians extend to countless people through their Clubs' various outreach projects.

Central Philippine University is a non-stock, non-profit Christian institution of higher learning, where a well-rounded program of education is offered under influences that strengthen faith and build up character. It was founded in 1905 as the Jaro Industrial School by missionaries of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society. It started as an elementary vocational school for poor boys who worked for their board and tuition. Dr. William O.Valentine, the first principal, worked hard to have the school incorporated and recognized by the government. His goals were reached in 1913, the year when the school began to admit female students also. In 1915, the first two years of high school were opened. In 1920, the third and fourth year classes were added and the following year the first batch of high school graduates were produced.To satisfy the growing desire of young people for education, a junior college was opened in 1923 and the name of the school was changed to Central Philippine College. The senior college was established in 1936 and by 1940, five degrees were offered: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Theology and Bachelor of Religious Education.

World War II broke out and with it, came destruction and death. Eleven (11) American missionaries were massacred by the Japanese soldiers. Central students, faculty and staff members and alumni joined the guerrilla movement or the Civil Resistance Government. April 1, 1953, was an important landmark in the whole CPU story. On that day, the ardent dream of thousands of alumni and the long line of American and Filipino pioneers became a reality: Central Philippine College gained university status and became Central Philippine University.

From the founding of the school, Filipinos were gradually given larger responsibilities in its administration. In 1966, the first Filipino president. Dr. Rex D. Drilon, was elected; and in 1968 the entire university property - land, buildings and equipment - was turned over by the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society to the Filipino Corporation of CPU. Since 1973, all members of the Board of Trustees and administrative officials of the University have been Filipinos.

In 100 years, CPU has grown from an elementary vocational school with 20 pupils to a widely known university with an enrollment of over 12,000. The 24-hectare campus, which was originally chosen for its quiet and relative isolation and pervaded by a Christian atmosphere known as the "Central Spirit", is now a veritable community by itself, with more than 46 buildings used for classrooms and support facilities. In 2001, it was declared as a Tourism Site by the lloilo City Council.

Today, CPU holds the distinction as No. 1 in the Philippines in the number of tertiary academic programs accredited Level III by the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines. It was also granted Autonomy by the Commission on Higher Education for the overall performance of its graduates in the government licensure examinations (No.1 in Region Viand No. 5 in the country), for having established Centers of Development, and for its consistent delivery of quality education, research and extension work. Just last year, it was awarded the ISO 9001:2000 Certification for its educational and support services.

In the year 1900 the U.S. Secretary of State Elihu Root ordered the 2nd Philippine Commission "Do not forget to look for that cold place!" The Commission by then had heard of this fabled "paradise" from the Spaniards who were leaving after the Philippines had been purchased from Spain. The cold place was "Kafagway" inhabited by 30 Igorots, 10 llocanos and a white man-a German named Otto Sheerer.

The Americans were in search of a place of relief from the tropical heat that had become unbearable to the white man. Once chartered into a city, this colonial hill station became "Baguio", a haven of hills and dales, virgin forests, brooks and glen, and that much coveted cool place for rest and recreation.

Governor General William Cameron Forbes ordered in October 10, 1905 D.L.L. McGrew, an assistant of a government architect, William E. Parsons, to start a Country Club to provide recreation for healthy productive living and provide justification for the four million pesos spent for the construction of the Benguet Road.

A part of the cattle pasture land of an Igorot Chief, Mateo Carino became "Governor's Hill" which was to become the site of the Baguio Country Club And in February 1905, the Baguio Country Club was founded with an initial all-american, all white membership. With fervour and American energy, the clubhouse was built with a three-hole golf course.

After 100 years the club's story is as rich and as colourful as Philippine History - A story of American annexation, colonialization, democratization, and freedom just as it is of the Filipino's revolution, heroism, struggles and pursuit for independence. To this day, traces of American influence pervades the Baguio Country Club for its blend of modern, colonial charm now adapted to its ethnic heritage.

And after 100 years, as that "cold place" was discovered, developed and reinvented, a historical transformation has occurred. The "Kafagway" population profile has changed to near half a million into a Baguio for all Filipinos. Also, the Baguio Country Club has seen its many seasons of diminishing Americans, its brief conversion to a Japanese Officers Club, its liberation in 1946 and the emergence of Filipino membership and leadership.

In 1957, a Filipino stockholder, Justice Roman Ozaeta was elected the first Filipino Baguio Country Club president. As General MacArthur would say "Imperialism was buried" and this was shown in the Baguio Country Club. Many Americans fell in love with the club and the country that they opted to stay on while their compatriots have long departed. Others turned Filipino citizens like C.M. Cotterman.

Potenciano llusorio, a lawyer-businessman, succeeded Ozaeta and was elected President in 1972. During his presidency, the strong earthquake of July 16, 1990 changed the landscape of Baguio and the club was structurally damaged. In December of the same year, a fire razed the Club to the ground. Armed with vision, energy, ingenuity and resourcefulness, Mr. llusorio mustered all that he could to build a new and bigger club house which was inaugurated on February 18, 1995, the 90th Anniversary of the Club. With passionate dedication and love for Baguio and the Baguio Country Club, Mr llusorio was adopted as a "citizen of Baguio".

Baguio Country Club after a hundred years remains a bastion of cordiality if not brotherly love. The story of Baguio Country Club is the history of Baguio herself. And just like Baguio, it is here to stay as a testimony to Filipino resiliency and as a protector of her cultural legacy and heritage.Stamps and Official First Day Covers will be available starting 18 February 2005 at the Philatelic Service, Door 203, Liwasang Bonifacio, 1000 Manila and all Regional Offices of the Philippine Postal Corporation.