Trivia about the Filipinos of Yesteryears as Illustrated in the Boxer Codex

Written in 1590, a manuscript which became known as the Boxer Codex provides present-day Filipinos a detailed description of the way of life of the inhabitants of the Philippines during the first century of the Spanish contact in the Philippines. The manuscript came into the hands of Charles R. Boxer. an American scholar and an expert on orients history and Colonial Asia. The papers are now in the Lyle Collection in Indiana, USA.

A vital part of the Boxer Codex is Its collection of drawings depicting the appearance of Filipinos from various regions showing their way of dressing, ornamentation tools and weapons. It also provides a description of their technology, economic life and trade with other lands. The Codex proved that the Philippines had a thriving civilization and a rich culture before the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century Souvenir Sheets will be overprinted for PHILANIPON 01 Japan World Stamp Exhibition 2001 to be held at the Tokyo International Exhibition Central from August 1 – 7 2001.

Stamps featuring the Filipinos of Yesteryears as Illustrated in the Boxer Codex