Collection 9.5 - Libertas

With the change of regime in the Philippines at the end of the 19th century a new press, contrary to the interests of the previous rulers started a phase of propaganda against Spain and against religious orders that had until then evangelized and educated the Filipino people.

To counteract this propaganda the Archbishop of manila, Most Reverend Sr. Dn. Bernardino Nozaleda proposed to the authorities of the province of the Holy Rosary, and in particular to the Dominican professors of the University of Santo Tomas the foundation of a newspaper that could respond to the criticisms and calumnies and to explain the truth to the Filipinos.

He advanced the amount of two thousand (2,000) pesos, and the university entrusted the task of Director to Fr. Valentin Marin, O.P. and nominal director, the illustrious Filipino journalist Sr. D. Manuel Ravago.

This new publication was given the name Libertas, in honor of the famous Encyclical of Leo XIII. It was received with scorn by the local press, but little by little the new newspaper was able to establish a firm hold owing to the wisdom and knowledge of its contributors who advanced solid arguments in the defense of the traditional catholic values and ideas. Under the direction of Fr. Valentin Marin and Fr. Serapio Tamayo, Libertas quieted the enemies of the friars.

On January 31, 1918, Libertas closed its glorious career with a farewell to its readers.

Holdings