EARLY PRINTING

The first printing press in the Philippines was established in Binondo by the Dominican Fathers in the year 1593. This press printed books in xylo-graphic characters, or by impression from engraved woodblocks. The use of woodblocks in printing was first introduced by Wang Cheng in China in the year 1314.

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The first moveable printing press in the Philippines was founded by Juan de Vera, originally a Chinese Christian known as Kong Yong. He founded the press together with Fathers Francisco Blancas de San Juan

and Domingo de Nieva in the year 1602.

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Considered the Prince of Filipino Printers, and there are both a street named after him and a bronze monument standing in his memory in China­town in downtown Manila, was Tomas Pinpin. A man of letters and a writer, he published the first Filipino language book Artes y Reglas de la Lengua Tagala in the year 1610.

The country's first commercial printing press was named Teong Cheong Sons, established by Yam Tan Cheong in 1855 in Manila.

One of the pioneers of modern printing and lithography in the Philippines was Carmelo & Bauerman. The firm is still operating today and continues to

be a leader in the printing field today.

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