Singles (combined total from sheets of 50
and Miniature Sheets of 8): 100,000
6p University
Church of CPU
Miniature Sheets of 8: 5,000
Designer: Rodney Gicana
Layout Artist: Alfonso V. Divina
Design Coordinators:
Edward P. Pormilos, Nelson A. Pomado, Randy
Anthony V. Pabulayan
First Day Covers: Manila
Stamp Design:
The University Church of the Central Philippine University is
considered to be a landmark in Iloilo City. Its unique architecture
is resonant of an Indonesian style of a house built on palm leaves
and bamboo. It is a constant reminder of the university's motto, "Scientia
et Fides" which highlights Jesus Christ in all its teachings through
which the American Baptist Missionary Society Founded it in 1905.
Dr. William O. Valentine, the first principal to what was once the Jaro Industrial School for boys, lead the mission of
sharing the gospel through education. The Centennial logo symbolizes
the link that binds all Centralians around the world and
that is simply called the "Central Spirit". The Centennial theme:
"Excel for God's Greatest Glory' expresses the message that all Centralians must become an example in both word and deed
wherever they may be.
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 Iloilo 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 VI and 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.