The first stamp to focus on Cebu were issued on June 4, 1965, commemorating the 400^th anniversary of the first peace treaty signed in the Philippines between Rajah Tupas, the rebellious son of Humabon, and Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. Other succeeding stamps depicted scenes from Cebu’s history.

A very rare Philippine issue is the Cebu Bisected Stamp of 1947. A shortage of two-cent stamps prompted the then acting postmaster Andres Abella to authorize the bisection of the four-cent Rizal Monument Stamp. The stamps were literally cut into two and immediately used by the Cebu Postal Service beginning January 5, 1948 as two-cent issues.

This action earned a reprimand from the postmaster-general. Abella felt that his action was for the good of the service and filed a case at the Regional Trial Court. He was not only absolved, he was also commended by the presiding judge for his initiative and dedication to his duty. Bisection of stamps, as far as the Philippines is concerned, happened only once, and the event is unique to Cebu City.

Just recently, a philatelic group called the Cebu Stamp Club, Inc. initiated the first Cebu-proposed stamp issued by the Philippine Postal Corporation. The stamp, The Centennial of the Tres de Abril Uprising came out on June 12, 1998 to form part of the Centenary of Philippine Independence Series 6 Souvenir Sheet.

Data gathered from:
Cebu Stamp Club, Inc. c/o Mr. Richard Allan Uy
Excerpts from an article by: Jonel Abellanosa