THE UST Miguel de Benavides Library looked back at the 19th century through a collection of postcards, stamps and letters in the exhibit “Recuerdo de Filipinas,” which opened last Jan. 30.
The exhibit’s name was derived from a postcard lithographed by C. Martin, Manila, one of the oldest in the collection.
Cultural landscapes from 1898 to 1941 can be observed through the postcards, stamps and letters written during the period.
According to exhibit curator Jenneth Capule, millennials rely more on visuals, which was why the exhibit displayed sceneries.
“We want [Thomasian students] to appreciate this kind of communication. Besides appreciation, gusto namin na mabigyan ng halaga ‘yong Philippine history through the sceneries of the postcards,” Capule told the Varsitarian.
Postcards from the Pichon family and the Robert Biggert Collection, old stamps from the UST Museum and from the Archivo del Convento de la Santa Cruz de los Padres Dominicos de San Juan del Monte, and significant letters from the holdings of the Archivo de le Universidad de Santo Tomas, were also part of the display.
The collection was divided into three sections, namely Architecture, a theme on Mindanao, and People and their Culture.
The collection featured photographs of St. Andrew’s Church in Parañaque, beauty queen Monina Acuña and workers scraping rattan in Zamboanga.
Along with these postcards were letters signed by important personalities such as Saint Pope Pius X, King Alfonso XIII of Spain, Blessed Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. and Arthur McArthur.
“Sana ito ‘yong maging way to reminisce Philippine history in the 19th century,” Capule said.
An interactive aspect of the exhibit allowed people to personally send postcards via airmail through a mock post office, in coordination with the UST Post Office.
Digital copies of the postcards can also be viewed at the UST Digital Library.
The exhibit will run until May 30.
