City of Pines Marks 100 Years of Thomasites Arrival in Post Spanish Philippines

Baguio City – The Department of Education and the city government held a tribute to the Thomasites in recognition to their contributions to the Philippines education at the close of the 19^th century and the end of Spanish colonial era.

The activity which was held last 4 July 2008 in the City of Pines is part of the centennial celebration of Baguio Teachers Camp founded by the Thomasites, the young idealist US Military teachers who sailed to the Philippines onboard USS Thomas and introduced the first formal education in the country in 1906.

In 1908, the Thomasites, also recognized as the first US Peace Corps Volunteers in the Philippines, established a camp in a pine covered site near the city proper which served as a meeting place of convergence for teachers. Ultimately the place was named as the Baguio Teachers Camp where teachers’ assembly and other activities are being held annually.

The Thomasites were cited for their support and dedication in establishing public education in the country. “The legacy left behind by the Thomasites contributed much to the improvement of education in the Philippines and must be passed on to the coming generations in honor of the American teachers who spread to the world the importance of education” thus enthused by invited guest US Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney.  

The occasion also marked the celebration of Filipino-American Friendship Day the same day the US celebrate their independence day every 4^th of July.