1958 50th Anniversary University of the Philippines

The University of the Philippines was established by the Philippine Legislature  in 1908 to provide advanced instruction in literature, philosophy, the sciences, and arts, and to give professional and technical training. The original campus was located on a small site in central Manila. As more colleges were added, additional buildings were required.  In 1939, the University acquired land in the Diliman District of Quezon City (10 miles from central Manila) and established a larger campus to accommodate the rising student population. The Diliman campus became the flagship of the University of the Philippines in 1949 when the University administrative offices moved to Diliman.

Symbols of the University of the Philippines : Carillon Tower and Oblation statue

Diliman Main Library behind "Lagoon" (early 1950s)

The Bureau of Posts marked the 50th anniversary of the University of the Philippines on June 18, 1957 with the release of a commemorative stamp produced by the Government Printing Bureau of Japan . The  stamp design shows the Oblation statue in front of the Diliman campus "Academic Oval". The Carillon Tower  is drawn on the left side of the stamp.

First Day of Issue Cachet

First Day of Issue Cancellations


Manila and Quezon City provided first day of issue cancellations.

First Day Covers

 U.P. Presidents Series

 

 

 Unpainted and Painted

1958 Bataan Day Airletter

Bataan Day (now Day of Valor) is a national observance in the Philippines which marks the fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942. The three month battle on the Bataan peninsula ended with the surrender of  Philippine and American troops to the Japanese. The soldiers had bravely resisted despite severe starvation and disease. Following the surrender, the weakened 60,000 Filipino and 15,000 American troops were forced to march over 60 miles up the peninsula to prisoner of war camps.

The Bataan peninsula is on the west side of Manila Bay

 On April 9, 1958, the Bureau of Posts issued a 50c "Bataan Day" airletter. The  30c airletter issued on November 4, 1954 was surcharged and a cachet in blue was also printed on the left side.

1957 Garcia-Macapagal Inauguration

In the 1957 elections, Carlos Garcia was elected president. His vice-presidential candidate was defeated by Diosdado Macapacal, an opposition candidate. Garcia instituted a "Filipino First" policy, promoting local products over imported goods.

To mark the Garcia-Macapagal inauguration, the Bureau of Posts issued overprinted and surcharged defintive stamps on inauguration day, December 30, 1957.

First Day of Issue Cachet

First Day Covers

 

1957 President Ramon Magsasay

On March 17, 1957 President Ramon Magsaysay was killed in a plane crash on Mt. Manunggal, Cebu. An estimated 5 million people attended Magsaysay's burial on March 31, 1957. Vice-President Carlos Garcia assumed the presidency to serve out the last eight months of Magsaysay's term.

A memorial stamp for President Magsaysay was issued on August 31, 1957, the 50th anniversary of his birth. The Magsaysay stamp was printed by the American Bank Note. Co.

First Day of Issue Cachet

First Day Covers

Unpainted and Painted

Overseas Mailers (Jay Leach)

 

United States Magsaysay Commemorative Stamp

On August 31, 1957, the United States issued a stamp commemorating President Magsaysay, the first in a series honoring foreign "Champions of Liberty".

First Day Covers

The Meter Digest