Koro Kartero To Bring Glad Tidings To Many Homes This Christmas

The early morning chill, the longer nights, the Christmas lights glowing in every house, street and corner, all indicate that it will be Christmas very soon.

Koro Kartero will bring wishes of joy and good fortune to many homes in Iloilo City beginning December 9, 2008. The recently-formed group of singing letter carriers will regale families with some of the world’s best Christmas carols, particularly It Came Upon The Midnight Clear, Silent Night, O Holy Night, The First Noel, Joy To The World, and the Filipino Favorite Ang Pasko Ay Sumapit.

This Daigon Project was conceptualized by Philpost 6 Regional Director Lilia O. Barcelon to raise funds for the various activities of the group. Through the efforts of Acting AdFin Director Iris G. Sargado, the Central Office authorized the release of the amount of P 22,000.00 to fund the expenses that would be incurred during the activity.

Through Koro Kartero and this Daigon Project, the Regional Office hopes to attract more postal patrons.

Blood For Life

Philpost 6 embarked on a bloodletting activity, in coordination with the Philippine National Red Cross, on November 17, 2008. Chaired by Accounting Section Chief Romede Distajo, and assisted by Ms. Rebekkah Bedia of the Personnel Section, the program has attracted 77 volunteers coming from the different districts and educational institutions. However, only 24 passed the blood screening test conducted by PNRC personnel, Dr. Dennise M. Pasadilla, Katherine T. Lego, Ma. Josephine C. Sumalapao, May Florence C. Chu, and Bienvenido J. Belmonte. From these donors, a total of 10,800 ml of blood was drawn.

The Bloodletting Activity, which is a corporate-wide activity of the Philippine Postal Corporation, forms part of the 110th Postal Service Anniversary.

It was definitely a rewarding experience for those who actively took part in the program.

Tree Planting @ Moro Boro: The Experience of A Lifetime

Still in line with the celebration of the 110th Postal Service Anniversary, 140 officials and employees coming from the Regional Office, Iloilo City Post Office, Metro Iloilo District and Negros Occidental Post Offices trekked to the mountains of Dingle on November 12, 2008 to plant 100 seedlings of Batuan.

Tree-planting activity organizer, Noel A. Somes, coordinated with DENR officials of that area. A briefing was conducted by a DENR representative before the employees were allowed to move up the mountain.

Weeks before the activity, the employees have been cautioned to be in tennis shoes, pants and long-sleeved shirts, and to bring along bottles of mosquito-fighting lotion and the like, but no one came prepared for the two-kilometer walk to the top of the Bolabog Putian mountain. The trail was rocky and slippery, and it seemed to go on and on without end. Yet through it all, there were those of the bravest of hearts who dared to reach the top. And those who did could say how beautiful the world is from up there!

Some say it was more of a hiking activity than anything else, and many of them have funny stories to tell. Though the activity proved to be very tiring, everybody had a good laugh over it all. For many of us who have been there and done that, the tree planting activity was most certainly an experience of a lifetime.

The Postal District of Aklan Plants Trees in Numancia, Aklan
The Postal District of Aklan had its own tree-planting activity also on the same day. Led by the energetic Postal District Manager Fatima Abangan, twenty eight (28) employees from Kalibo and the different municipal post offices went to the tree-planting site in Laguinbanwa West, Numancia, Aklan --- an agricultural land of almost one hectare owned by the family of former Kalibo Post Office Letter Carrier, Alexis Nabor. The site was especially chosen because of its close proximity to a small creek, assuring sufficient water supply for the 100 Narra saplings (provided by DENR-Kalibo) that were planted there.

The Postal District of Antique Lines the Provincial Highway To Sibalom With Mahogany
The tree-planting activity of the Postal District of Antique was no less than exciting. Leading the pack of 50 postal employees was the ever bubbly Postal District Manager Elsa Pameroyan.

Ms. Pameroyan coordinated with DENR-Antique representatives, and made a courtesy call to Mayor Virginia G. Lotilla of the Municipality of Sibalom, for the planting of 100 mahogany seedlings along the Provincial Highway going to Sibalom.

The District of Capiz in San Rafael, Dumalag, Capiz

Postal officials and employees of Capiz and Northern Iloilo districts likewise enjoyed their tree-planting activity at San Rafael, Dumalag, Capiz. The activity was fully supported by the local government of the municipality.

All these tree-planting activities of the Philpost 6 ran simultaneously with the tree-planting activities of the Central Office and all the other regional offices of Philippine Postal Corporation.

Many years from now, thousands of trees will grow in the mountains, along the highways, beside the creeks, and anywhere else, making the Philippines a healthier and a more beautiful place to live in. When that time comes, we can proudly say that Philippine Postal Corporation has been a part of it.

Philpost 6 Celebrates Postal Consciousness Week

The Opening Day, November 3, 2008
Philpost 6 began its celebration of the 110th year of the postal service with a motorcade on November 3, 2008. Leading the colorful and organized motorcade were the letter carriers from Iloilo City Post Office atop their motorcycles.

A dance competition followed the motorcade, with representatives from the different districts trying to outdo one another. The Negros Occidental dancers brought Maskara Festival to Iloilo City with their vibrant costume and well orchestrated dance steps. The Antique District team wowed the crowd with its no less than surprising dance moves. Postmasters from the Metro Iloilo District sashayed and swayed in time to the music. The Iloilo City Post Office dancers, for their part, did an interesting dance number, so did the Aklan District Team. Ballroom dancing was the forte of the Capiz District dancers. The Regional Office dancers, led by Acting Operations Director, Atty. Benjie S. Yotoko, were very composed, and their movements were well-coordinated, thus earning them the best performance award.

The highlight of the day was the Macho Gay contest in the afternoon. In charge of the program was the PDM for Metro Iloilo District, the ever bubby Arlyn C. Cababasay and she made sure that the program would be nothing less than interesting. There were seven contestants coming from the different postal districts who dared to look and feel like a woman --- for a day. They all looked gorgeous, but Renan Prado of Iloilo City Post Office was the clear favorite!

The contestants definitely loved the experience and those who have watched the show agreed that it was something certainly worth telling!

The Culminating Activity – November 7, 2008
November 7 bristled with sports activities and fun. The basketball games drew the most attention as teams from each participating postal district battled for the crown. The Iloilo City Post Office team was gearing up for its third straight win, but the Negros Occidental District Team gave them the surprise of their life. Winning by 10 points, victory has never been so sweet for the Negros Occidental Team.

At the end of the day, there was a program during which the participants and the winners were acknowledged and awarded with trophies and cash prizes. Postal employees who retired this year were also given due recognition. After the program and the dinner was the much awaited singing contest which gave participating postal employees the chance to showcase their talent. Besting all the contestants was Stanny Garcia of Antique District. Stanny went home with a bagful of memories, a cash prize of P 3,000.00, and the honor of being the Singing Champion for the year 2008.

Everybody certainly had fun during the weeklong celebration of the Postal Service anniversary, which was chaired by the vivacious and very active Marketing Specialist, Tess D. Planco. In the midst of all the fun and excitement, the spirit of camaraderie was strengthened.

The Regional Office was able to muddle through all the expenses for this activity because of the financial support of the Central Office and also because of the huge monetary contribution of the Philippine Postal Corporation Credit Cooperative 6, under the leadership of Atty. Stevenson G. Conlu, in the amount of P 70,000.00.

Philpost 6 and Koro Kartero in Sikat Ka, Iloilo

Philpost Regional Director Lilia O. Barcelon, Acting Operations Director Benjie S. Yotoko, and Chief Legal Officer Atty. Stevenson G. Conlu, appeared in the popular and highly-rated local TV show of ABS-CBN, Sikat Ka, Iloilo, on November 5, 2008.

The three most important postal officials of the region talked about the challenges of the postal service amidst the growing popularity of modern technology, and emphasized that the Post Office is still stronger than ever.

Sikat Ka, Iloilo also featured Koro Kartero singing My Fair Share. Koro Kartero is, of course, the famed singing group composed of Iloilo City Post Office Letter Carriers. Organized on July 25, 2008 by two musiclally-minded postal employees, Marketing Specialist Tess D. Planco, and PSO II Tina C. Españo, Koro Kartero has been making waves since then. Hopefully the group stays on for many more years. With the support of the central office and local officials of Philpost, notably, Regional Director Lilia O. Barcelon, A/Operations Director Benjie S. Yotoko, A/Adfin Director Iris G. Sargado, the PDMs, and the Philpost Cooperative 6, most likely it will.

Philpost 6 is truly “sikat” in Iloilo!

PNRC PEP TALK

In line with the Bloodletting Activity to be held on November 17, 2008, Philippine National Red Cross conducted a pep talk/seminar on October 22, 2008.

PNRC Director, Dr. Judith Jimena, talked about the blood donation program, healthy lifestyle, and HIV awareness and prevention.

Said briefing was attended by 55 postal employees.

Philpost 6 Honors Its Lady of the House With Flowers And A Song

October 20 would have been just any other ordinary day, except that it wasn’t, especially if somebody you know and love is celebrating 61 full and beautiful years.

Philpost 6 Regional Director Lilia O. Barcelon turned 61 last October 20, but she was still in Manila at that time, so the joyous festivity of her birthday in the Regional Office happened the day after, October 21.

Koro Kartero opened the surprise celebration with a song, You’ve Got A Friend. One by one, they offered a rose to Dir. Barcelon, and the rest of the postal employees of the Regional Office followed suit. By the time the song ended, the once empty green vase bloomed with red budding roses.

It was a fitting tribute for a lady who is ever supportive, understanding, and untiring in her commitment… a lady who is definitely well-loved!

The Philpost 6 Regional Office Undergoes A Facelift

Upon the approval of Postmaster General, Hector RR Villanueva, Philpost 6, under the leadership of Director Lilia O. Barcelon, hired a casual employee in the person of Edwin Huyatid specifically to undertake carpentry works in the different post offices in Region 6.

The repair and repainting of the stairway of the Regional Office building begun on the first day of duty of Mr. Huyatid, and is, in fact, almost near completion as of this time. He will next repair the dilapidated and leaking ceilings in various areas of the Regional Office building.

Green plants abound on every floor of the Regional Office. Flowering plants beautify the ground floor. The Regional Office is, indeed, blooming and vibrant.

RD Barcelon Spearheads Bayanihan Project in Aklan

Devastated by Typhoon Frank on June 19, 2008, the Province of Aklan has been in a pathetic state since then. Almost all Post Offices in Aklan were a sorry sight.

Although minor repairs have already been started so as not to hamper the mail operations, there are still plenty to be done. With funds almost exhausted, Philpost 6 Regional Director, Lilia O. Barcelon, called on the cooperation of the postal employees and spearheaded the “bayanihan” project to repaint and beautify Kalibo Post Office, on October 2, 2008.

Donned in working clothes, RD Barcelon herself, took out a paint roller and covered the walls of the Kalibo Post Office in color. Other officials, particularly, Acting Operations Director Benjie Yotoko, Executive Assistant Barbie Abunyawan, Postal District Manager for Aklan Fatima Abangan, Regional Engineer Rolly Mamon, and GSS Chief Noel Somes also did the same.

This Bayanihan Project, which will likewise be conducted in several other post offices this year, is one of the programs of Philpost 6 in celebration of its 110 years of existence.

Philpost 6 Joins the 19th National Statistics Month Celebration

In celebration of the 19th National Statistics Month, Philpost 6 participated in a week-long exhibit at the ground floor of Robinsons Place in Iloilo City by setting up a bulletin board showcasing its products and services, manned by NSM Coordinator, Connie D. Deocampo.

The exhibit officially opened on October 7, 2008 and was graced by the Regional Directors of the various participating agencies, including Philpost 6 RD Lilia O. Barcelon.

During the opening ceremony, the famed choir of Philpost 6, the Koro Kartero, put the crowd in a meditative mood with its poignant and moving rendition of Gary Valenciano’s Lead Me Lord. The choir also led the singing of the National Anthem.

Koro Kartero Sings At The Mall

As part of the Civil Service Commission project, “Government Express Goes To The Mall”, Philpost 6 was given the chance to showcase its mail operations in a power point presentation on Wednesday, September 24. The presentation featured the mail operations of Iloilo City Post Office, from acceptance of mails to delivery, but a considered highlight of the presentation was the soulful rendition of Sound of Silence by Koro Kartero, the recently formed singing group of Letter Carriers.

Koro Kartero’s performance was well received and applauded, to say the least. The choir members are grateful for the all-out support of the Regional Office, particularly Regional Director Lilia O. Barcelon, the other officials of the Office, notably, Acting Operations Director Benjie S. Yotoko, Acting AdFin Director Iris G. Sargado, Postal District Manager for Metro Iloilo Arlyn C. Cababasay, and Iloilo City Post Office Postmaster Nonito G. Pelobello. Likewise, the group thanks Philippine Postal Corporation Credit Cooperative, under the chairmanship of Atty. Stevenson G. Conlu, for funding their costume.

Civil Service Commission Gives Philpost A Very Good Rating

Following its implementation of the Public Service Delivery Audit/Assistance or PASADA, a mechanism by which it can gauge the performance of government frontline services, the Civil Service Commission conducted an audit of Iloilo City Post Office in terms of (1) service provider, (2) structure, systems and procedure, and (3) physical working condition.

The findings revealed a VERY GOOD rating for Iloilo City Post Office, particularly the Parcel Post Section. CSC cited the prompt, courteous, responsive, facilitative and pleasant service rendered by its personnel, Teresita Villanueva.

Philpost 6 Goes To The Mall

On its 108th anniversary, the Civil Service Commission called for the support and cooperation of the various government agencies in Region 6 by participating in its project, “Government Express Goes To The Mall”.

Upon the instruction of Regional Director Lilia O. Barcelon, Philpost 6 responded to the call, and eagerly set up a booth at the Activity Center of SM City Iloilo, to run for a whole week beginning September 22-26, 2008.

Manned by the Marketing Staff, headed by the Regional Marketing Specialist, Tess D. Planco, the Philpost Booth accepted and processed Postal ID applications and attended to product inquiries.

Koro Kartero Sings Before Postgen Villanueva

In a surprise visit to Iloilo City on September 9, 2008, Postgen Hector RR Villanueva got a surprise himself when he was regaled by Koro Kartero, an all-male choir composed of a group of Iloilo City Post Office Letter Carriers.

It was the first public appearance of Koro Kartero since the group was founded on July 25, 2008. In spite of the stage jitters, and the fact that they would be singing before a great man, they did a pretty good rendition of Simon and Garfunkel’s Sound of Silence.

Postgen Villanueva Talks About Solidarity in the Postal Service

Hon. Hector RR Villanueva was in Bacolod City on Monday, September 8, 2008, to attend the blessing of the 23rd branch of Philippine Postal Savings Bank, a subsidiary of Philippine Postal Corporation. While there, Postgen Villanueva met with the employees of the Postal District of Negros Occidental.

The following day, September 9, Postgen Villanueva, took a side trip to Iloilo City and met with the employees, officials, and postmasters of Capital Post Offices and all post offices in Iloilo. He emphasized the importance of solidarity in the Postal Service, and likewise, called for the cooperation of everybody to market extensively the products and services of PhilPost, most particularly the Express Mail Service and the parcels. He further stressed that Postmasters should act as Marketing Officers and Press Relations Officers at the same time.

Postgen also encouraged everybody to be innovative and technology-driven, and to make the advancement in technology work to the advantage of the corporation, rather than think of it as a disadvantage.

The Philpost Blog Makes IEMS Tracking Easier

Philpost 6 makes tracking and tracing of IEMS items a lot easier for its customers. There’s now no need to memorize complicated urls of online sites abroad. All the customers need to do is visit the Philpost 6 blog at http://www.philpost6.blogspot.com/, and they will find there the links to several post offices abroad having an IEMS tracking system. Clicking on the link of the destination post office will directly lead them to the IEMS tracking site.

Postgen Villanueva Inaugurates The Newly-Renovated Kabankalan Post Office

No less than the Postmaster General himself, the Hon. Hector R.R. Villanueva, did the ceremonial ribbon-cutting during the inauguration and blessing of the newly-renovated Kabankalan Post Office in Negros Occidental on July 28, 2008.

It should be worth noting that Kabankalan Post Office was renovated upon the request of former Kabankalan Post Office Postmaster, Linda A. Ramos, at practically no cost to the corporation.

Postgen Villanueva is extremely grateful to Kabankalan Mayor, Hon. Pedro P. Zayco, Jr., and to the city of Kabankalan, for providing the materials and the labor which amounted to at least P 500,000.00, to give Kabankalan Post Office its new look. This is, indeed, a big help to Philpost, a corporation trying its best to rise above the challenges of being self-sufficient while at the same time, living up to the mandate of making the postal service available in every town. In return for all these, the Postmaster General promises a more efficient service in this progressive city.

The affair coincided with the 11th Charter Day Celebration of Kabankalan, and was attended by Mayor Pedro P. Zayco and his wife Mercedita N. Zayco, Vice Mayor Delia O. Anacan and several city council officials, Board Member Raul Rivera, Philippine Postal Savings Bank Himamaylan Branch Manager Adolfo P. Mangao, Jr., Philpost-6 RD Lilia O. Barcelon and staff, Acting Operations Director Benjie S. Yotoko, Chief Legal Officer Atty. Stevenson G. Conlu, APDM of Northern Negros Occidental Engr. Rolly M. Mamon, APDM of Southern Negros Occidental Richie R. Cardiel, Postmasters of Kabankalan Cluster, and the former Kabankalan Postmaster Linda A. Ramos.

Postmaster I Nonym Bandola currently sits as Postmaster of Kabankalan Post Office.