6p
MCU Building & Statue of Minerva, Godess of Wisdom,
Singles (100,000)
Miniature Sheets of 8 (5,000)
Designer:
Alfonso V. Divina
Design Coordinator:
Renato C. Tanchoco, Jr., M.D.
First Day Covers: Manila
Manila Central University - 100th Anniversary
The
Manila Central University had very humble beginnings. In 1903, at
the request of several students from the University of Sto. Tomas
and other individuals, Dr. Alejandro Albert organized a private
review class. This review class developed into the Escuela de
Farmacia del Liceo de Manila in 1904, with Dr. Albert as director, a
post he held until 1915 when the Liceo was transformed into the
Manila College of Pharmacy with Messrs. Albert, Alfredo L. Guerrero,
Antonio C. Llamas, Feliciano Paterno and Filemon Tanchoco, all
faculty members of the institution as incorporators.
This was the
first educational institution of its kind established and managed by
Filipinos. Its success demonstrated the undoubted capacity and
ability of the Filipinos in managing their own affairs in the
educational field, especially then; at the time of its initial
organization, it was barely four years after the establishment of
the Philippine Educational System. The Manila College of Pharmacy
became one of the leading institutions of higher learning of its
kind. Stable and secure in its position, the college expanded in
1929. Its board of trustees, answering a long felt need for the
training of youth for dental services, opened the College of
Dentistry.
The Manila College of Pharmacy then became the Manila
College of Pharmacy and Dentistry of the pre-war period. Opened and
dedicated to give the best education for our youth, the college
maintained its leading position in the educational field.
Unfortunately, the war closed its portals in 1941. During the
Japanese occupation, the enemy systematically plundered its
extensive facilities, laboratory equipment, etc., and during the
liberation period, it was further pillaged of everything but the
shell of its two buildings. After the liberation of the Philippines,
the board of trustees reorganized the college into the Manila
Central College. In addition to pharmacy and dentistry, the
reorganized institution offered courses in liberal arts, education,
commerce and business administration, and Post Graduate courses in
pharmacy. And finally in 1947, the College of Medicine was added.
In 1948, it became the Manila Central University
(MCU) after having opened the College of Nursing and Graduate School
and more than sufficiently meeting the requirements for a
university. In 1949, the MCU inaugurated its 10-hectare campus in
Caloocan City. The College of Optometry, Midwifery and High School
and Kindergarten classes were also opened.
Additional school
buildings and service facilities were constructed yearly. Expansion
projects and development programs for the whole university and
individual colleges were continuously drawn to meet the educational
demands and objectives of the university. The doctoral programs were
opened in 1992, and in 1994, the College of Physical Therapy was
approved. In 1996, the consolidation of all colleges in one campus
took place. All programs located in Mayhaligue and Zurbaran were
transferred to Caloocan City. As an educational institution, its
mission is to develop well-rounded individuals through competent
instruction and research in the acquisition of desirable personal
traits and adequate knowledge and skills that will enable them to
participate intelligently in community and national development
efforts and imbue them with love of country and a sense of public
service.