2008, May 10. Baguio Teachers' Camp Centenary
Litho Offset. Amstar Company, Inc. Perf. 14.
Se-tenant Pairs , Sheets of 40 (4 x 10)
Se-tenant Pairs (40,000)
7p Old Structure of Baguio Teachers' Camp
7p Thomasites
Designer and Graphic Artist: Corazon T. Loza
Design Coordinator: Dr. Ngo Tiong Tak
First Day Covers: Manila, Baguio City
Official FDC Envelope
The advent of the American Thomasites in August of 1901 was instrumental in the introduction of the new era of public education in the archipelago. Motivated by the highest ideals with utmost desire to assist in building a new nation in this part of the world and a thousand young American men and women, who were trained and educated in some of the best academes in the United States, established a modern public school system which undoubtedly has contributed remarkable impact on the lives of the greatest number of Filipinos. Coined after the name of the U.S. Army Transport Thomas that carried them to the Philippines, the American Thomasites were a group of 540 American teachers and some of their family members who first came to propagate public education in the country. In 1902 though this number of American teachers was increased to a total of 1,074.
The American Thomasites were sent throughout the archipelago where they worked with zeal and passion for the progress of a nation of numerous ethnic groups, languages, religions and completely diverse cultural traditions and customary practices. Amidst floods, typhoons, tropical diseases and the lack of transportation facilities, they faced the challenges of their work and showed a pioneering spirit that has become an inspiration for many of Filipinos who have directly benefited from their mission.
Rather than providing higher education to a select few, the American Thomasites, inspired by the principle of propagating education and literacy to the greatest number were convinced that education to become genuine and truly beneficial must afford safeguard and protection to the ideals of democracy.
Topical Categories
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Education