Dr. Lino L. Dizon, National Historical Commission of the Philippines Commissioner and retired Tarlac State University professor, released his latest book, "Imprenta de Ramírez y Giraudier: A Story of Late Nineteenth Century Filipino Intellectuality," at the Miguel de Benavides Library of the University of Santo Tomas in España, Manila on Wednesday (March 29) afternoon.
His newly published book is about the history of print and publishing in the 19th-century Philippines.
Imprenta de Ramirez y Giraudier (IRG) is a publishing firm founded by Don Manuel Ramírez y Carvajal, typographer, and Baltasar Giraudier y Ortega, a lithographer-artist in the 19th century.
Vibal Foundation partnered with UST's Miguel de Benavides Library, where a number of the publishing firm's works are on display.
Commissioner Dizon said he did not know that UST has a collection of IRG's works, citing that the printing press "has been much associated" with UST.
According to the Vibal group, the book is an important primary source in understanding the role of the press in a democracy. It also embarks a sense of nationalism during Spanish colonization.
The book also features a list of the publishing firm's founders, publications, editors, and writers, including Jose Felipe del Pan, and their contributions during the intellectual enlightenment of colonization that led to the Propaganda and the Philippine Revolution.
"Jose Felipe del Pan's book is a significant reference particularly to understand the history of the printing press in the country; particularly his vital role in the era where most of the printing was controlled," NHCP Chairperson Dr. Emmanuel Calairo said in his speech.
Commissioner Dizon, former head of TSU's Center for Tarlaqueño Studies, said it took him and the Vibal group some ten years before they finalized and completed all the details in his latest book.
TSU, represented by College of Arts and Social Sciences Dean Dr. Aloysius Madriaga and the Office of Public Affairs, attended the event and celebrated the latest publication of Commissioner Dizon, a seasoned TSU professor and Tarlac historian known for cultivating history.
Photo by Franc Lewis R. Juanatas
