The Philippine Postal Corporation is coming up with the University of Santo Tomas (UST) 400 Years (1611-2011) “Unending Grace” stamps which will be issued on January 25, 2011. It is classified as a “Commemorative” kind of issue with a denomination of P 7.00 and quantity of 100,000 pieces. Also to be issued are souvenir sheets with a denomination of P 37.00 and 10,200 pieces.

According to UST’s official website (http://www.ust.edu.ph/index.php/2011/748-an-event-brief-of-the-400thyear-celebration-of-the-university-of-santo-tomas.html), which says:

“The University of Santo Tomas gratefully looks back to July 24,1605, when Bishop Miguel de Benavides, O.P., the third Archbishop of Manila bequeathed a modest amount from his personal funds and his personal library collection for use in the establishment of a ‘seminary-college’ to prepare young men for the priesthood.

“Thus, on April 28, 1611, the Colegio de Nuestra Senora del Santisimo Rosario, later named Colegio de Santo Tomas, was born in its original campus within the walled city called Intramuros.

“On November 20, 1645, the College was elevated to the rank of a University by Pope Innocent X. King Charles of Spain granted the title “Royal University” to UST in 1785, for the exceptional loyalty shown by its administration and students who volunteered to defend Manila against the British invasion.

“On September 17, 1902, Pope Leo XIII made the University of Santo Tomas a “Pontifical University” and in 1947, Pope Pius XII bestowed upon it the title “The Catholic University of the Philippines.”

“The continuing increase in enrolment prompted the administration in 1927 to relocate the University in its present site in the Sampaloc district, along Espana St, Manila, which covers 21.5 hectares.

“Inspired by its rich history, spurred on to impart wisdom and knowledge, enthused by noteworthy accomplishments, the University has remained steadfastly responsive to the needs and issues of the time as they occur, whether in the Philippines or elsewhere in the world.

“Today, the University campus is considered a historic site and is a recognizable landmark in Manila and the country.”

The technical description of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) 400 Years (1611-2011) “Unending Grace” stamps are as follows:

Kind of Issue: Commemorative

Denomination and Quantity: Php7.00 / 100,000 pieces

Date of Issue: January 25, 2011

Last date of Sale: January 24, 2012 (or as stocks allow)

Size: 40 mm x 30 mm.

Sheet Composition: 40 (4 x 10)

Souvenir Sheet: Php 37.00 / 10,200 pieces

Size of Souvenir Sheet: 110 mm. x 75 mm.

Perforation: 14

Printing process: Litho offset

Paper: Imported Unwatermarked

Printer: Amstar Company, Inc.

Designers: UST Quadricentennial Committee headed by
Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P.
Rector, University of Santo Tomas

Photos: Donald Tapan

Design Layout Artist: Jesus Alfredo Delos Santos

Designer of Souvenir Sheet: Ramon Orlina
Designer of Souvenir Folder: Jonathan Gamalinda

Design Coordinators: Dr. Ngo Tiong Tak
Jonathan Gamalinda

Designs: Three of the block of four stamp designs of the 400 years Commemorative Stamps for UST are edifices or buildings which are considered National Cultural Treasures. These are Design 1 which shows the Main Building; Design 2, shows the Central Seminary; Design 3, shows Arch of the Centules and Design 4 features the Painting entitled, “The Foundation of the University of Santo Tomas,” by Archbishop Benavides. The Souvenir Sheet features the design of Ramon Orlina that shows the Quattro Mondial Monument and Benavides Monument done in 1889 by Tony Noel with the University of Santo Tomas logo and the Main Building.