15p Manila Observatory Building, Fr.
Federico Faura - Singles (101,000)
Layout Artist: Victorino Z. Serevo
First Day Covers: Manila & Quezon City
Manila Observatory - 150th Anniversary
The Manila Observatory is a Jesuit scientific research institution
with research work in the fields of atmospheric and earth science in
the Philippines and the Southeast Asian region. It advocates a
science-based approach to sustainable development and poverty
reduction.
Inspired by Ignatian spirituality, the Manila Observatory is
committed to a scientific culture in its regional and global context
through research excellence in environmental and pre-disaster
science particularly in the areas of atmospheric studies, solid
earth dynamics, instrumentation, and applied geomatics.
The Manila Observatory is a private non-stock, non-profit,
scientific research institution established in 1865 by the Jesuit
mission in the Philippines. With Federico Faura at its inception, it
was engaged in the systematic observation of Philippine weather. It
began serving typhoon warnings in 1879, and embarked on earthquake
observations in 1880. In 1884, The Spanish government issued a royal
decree formally recognizing the Manila Observatory as the official
Philippine institution for weather forecasting.
The years after saw the Observatory branching off into other areas
of scientific research and service. In 1885, the Observatory began
its time service that greatly benefited merchant shipping. A
seismology section was established in 1887. In 1899, the Observatory
ventured into astronomical studies. The American colonial government
recognized the importance of the Observatory’s work, and, in 1901,
established it as the Philippine Weather Bureau. For about 45 years,
the Observatory remained active and famous in international
expositions and scientific expeditions. The Institution continued to
be well known for its accurate typhoon forecasts and scientific
works in the field of meteorology, geo-magnetism, and astronomy.
The Second World War brought almost irreparable damage to the
Institution. During the battle of Manila Bay, the Observatory, with
all its valuable instruments and scientific documents, was
completely destroyed. After the war, the Observatory ceased to
function as the Weather Bureau since a distinct government agency
was established for this purpose.
It was only in 1951 that the Observatory was able to resume its
post-war operations. It opened in Baguio, where it initially
confined its research to seismology and the study of the ionosphere.
In 1963, the Manila Observatory transferred to the Loyola Heights
campus of the Ateneo de Manila University, where it continued its
seismic, geomagnetic, and radio physics research, while expanding
into solar physics as well.
At the turn of the 21st century, the Observatory finds itself at the
nexus of global concerns for environment and development. With its
tradition of excellence and service in scientific research, the
Observatory envisions itself as a vital partner in these critically
global yet locally relevant concerns. Through its present research
programs, the Observatory now actively confronts these new
challenges through a science that must inform and guide the shaping
of a safe and sustainable future for humankind.
http://www.observatory.ph/