Iglesia Ni Cristo Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo and Philippine Postal Corporation Chairman Cesar N. Sarino, together with Postmaster General Ma. Josefina dela Cruz and INC General Secretary Radel G. Cortez, officially unveil the INC Centennial Commemorative Stamp which was launched on Saturday, May 10, 2014, on the occasion of the 128th birth anniversary of the INC’s first Executive Minister Bro. Felix Y. Manalo. (Photo courtesy INC Executive News)
MANILA, Philippines (ENS) — The Philippine Postal Corporation on Saturday, May 10, officially launched the “Iglesia Ni Cristo Centennial Commemorative Stamp” inside the INC Central Office in Diliman, Quezon City, to mark the 100th anniversary of the Church’s registration in the Philippines which it said was “of national historical significance.”
In a brief formal ceremony held at the Bulwagan of the INC Central Office, INC Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo, PhlPost Chairman Cesar Sarino and Postmaster General Ma. Josefina M. dela Cruz unveiled the INC Centennial Commemorative Stamp that featured the sprawling INC Central Temple and a photo of the first INC Executive Minister Felix Y. Manalo in sepia. The colored INC Centennial logo is also placed at the bottom.
The May 10 launching date of the INC stamp was itself significant since it was timed to coincide with the 128th birth anniversary of the late Felix Y. Manalo whom the INC believes is the fulfillment of a biblical prophecy on the “last messenger of God.”
It was also the first time that PhlPost issued a 50-millimeter by 35-mm stamp, which is bigger than the ordinary-sized stamp of 40mm by 30 mm.
“This is not an arbitrary decision,” said Postmaster General Dela Cruz on the issuance of a bigger-than-ordinary “INC Centennial Commemorative Stamp.”
“It passed through the certification of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines,” she said in Filipino. This meant that the INC centennial, including its rich history, was “of national historical significance,” she said.
Dela Cruz said PhlPost will be issuing 1.2 million copies of the INC stamp, which is more than twice the usual maximum number of stamps they had issued before for a single design.
PhilPost usually issues a maximum of 500,000 stamps per batch, or even lower at 300,000 pieces. There are even instances that they only issue 20,000 pieces for a stamp design.
The issuance of 1.2 million INC Centennial stamps was done , she said, to accommodate the expected big number of people who will be interested to buy the stamps, particularly INC members all over the Philippines and INC brethren who would be coming over from other countries this year. The INC centennial stamp, which was designed by INC minister Bienvenido “Dindo” A. Santiago Jr., was made available starting Saturday at P10 a piece so it would be more affordable to the public, PhlPost said.
Dela Cruz said it was “an honor” for PhlPost to issue the INC Centennial Commemorative Stamp, so “we could be a small part of the INC’s celebration of its Centennial this year.”
She also noted how the INC was able to spread in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide, a hundred years since it was first registered by Felix Manalo on July 27, 1914.
“Sa inyong paglaganap at pagpunta sa marami pang mga bansa, nandoon rin at dala ninyo ang tatak ng Pilipino,” Dela Cruz said in her speech before the official unveiling of the INC stamp, as she stressed that the growth of the INC is already a phenomenon in Philippine history.
After the unveiling, Manalo, Dela Cruz and Sarino participated in the ceremonial signing of the INC stamp’s “first day cover.”
The “official first day cover” of the Iglesia Ni Cristo Centennial commemorative stamp. (Courtesy PHLpost)Iglesia Ni Cristo Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo receives the” official first day cover” of the INC Centennial Commemorative Stamp from Philippine Postal Corporation Chairman Cesar N. Sarino. (Photo courtesy INC Executive News)
Dela Cruz also presented a souvenir frame of the INC Centennial commemorative stamp to the INC leader.
Eduardo V. Manalo is the third executive minister of the INC, succeeding his father, Eraño G. Manalo, who had served as the INC’s leader from 1963 until his death in 2009, during which time the church had spread in more than 100 countries and territories all over the world.
Before this, it was Felix Y. Manalo who first preached about the biblical doctrines of the Iglesia Ni Cristo after secluding himself inside a room for three days and nights in intense prayer and studies of the bible sometime in November 1913. He continued to preach about the biblical beliefs of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, baptized new INC members and on July 27, 1914, the Iglesia Ni Cristo was registered with the Philippine government. Before his death on April 12, 1963, the INC had spread all over the country. The INC believes that the establishment of the Church of Christ in the Philippines on July 27, 1914 that coincided with the start of World War I, is the fulfillment of God’s prophecy on the re-emergence of the Church established by Christ for mankind’s salvation in “these last days.”
In his speech after the official unveiling of the stamp, “Ka Eduardo” said the INC’s string of victories was the “handiwork of God.” He said this is why it is only proper and fitting that in the Church’s celebration of its Centennial on July 27, all INC brethren should give honor and glory to God for making all these victories possible.
Manalo also mentioned the significance of the launching date of the INC Centennial Stamp as part of remembering the INC’s first executive minister Felix Y. Manalo and his ministry, citing a biblical verse, Hebrews 13:7. He also thanked PhlPost on behalf of the INC for issuing the Centennial commemorative stamp.
PhlPost Chair Sarino said the INC is notable for being a “Filipino” Christian religion that had spread throughout the world, exporting the Filipino character and qualities to other countries. He said that being a Filipino himself, he takes pride in this achievement of the INC even if he is a not a member of the Church.
Presently, the INC church membership includes not just Filipinos, but various nationalities all over the world.
Alvin Alcid, chief of the Research, Publications and Heraldry Division of the National Historical Commission noted that not all organizations celebrating their centennial are given a commemorative stamp.
But after a thorough study, the INC centennial had been decided by the Commission to be of national historical significance, particularly because the INC originated in the Philippines and had reached more than 100 countries and territories in its 100 years of existence, he said in an interview after the program.
Alcid said this was why the Commission is also deliberating on issuing a historical marker for the INC Centennial this year, hopefully in time for its 100th anniversary celebration on July 27.
During the program, Dela Cruz also said Philpost is also interested in setting up a “selfie stamp” booth at the Philippine Arena on the centennial celebration of the INC in Bocaue, Bulacan
The INC’s Philippine Arena, which is touted as among the world’s largest domed arenas, will be the center of the Church’s Centennial celebrations on July 27. (Eagle News Service)
PHLPost Postmaster General Josefina Dela Cruz and Assistant Postmaster General Luis Carlos present Pope Francis stamps to His Holiness Pope Francis at the St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. The stamps commemorate the Pope’s second year as the leader of the Catholic Church.
Miss World 2013 Megan Young Stamp Launching in 2014 with Postmaster General Josie Dela Cruz , Miss World Megan Young and PHLPost Chairman Cesar Sarino.
Hongkong Post attended the “High-level Forum on Postal Reform and Development in the Asian-Pacific Region” organised by the State Post Bureau in Beijing, China to foster cooperation between Hongkong Post and other postal operators in the Asia Pacific region.
One of the Speakers: Philpost Post Master General Josefina M. Dela Cruz
Evelyn Macairan – The Philippine Star
August 5, 2013 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) has issued its first ever triangle-shaped stamps featuring eight marine species found in the country.
According to PHLPost, the issuance of the Philippine Marine Biodiversity Stamp was in line with its participation in the Thailand 2013 World Stamp Exhibition being held at the Siam Paragon in Bangkok.
The exhibit kicked off last Friday and will end on Aug. 14.
Of the 10,000 stamps printed, PHLPost said 5,000 copies are available at the exhibit in Bangkok.
Each stamp is sold for P100 at the Manila Central Post Office in Liwasang Bonifacio and at all PHLPost regional offices.
The marine species featured in the stamp are the Lemon Goby, Dragon Wrasse, Spotted Puffer, the three-spot Angelfish, the white-tailed Damselfish, the Orange Sea Perch, the Lemonpeel Angelfish, and the electric-blue Damsel.
President Benigno S. Aquino III recently appointed Ma. Gladys Cruz-Sta. Rita of Bulacan as National Power Corporation’s (NPC) new President making the latter the first woman to head Napocor since its foundation in 1936.
Sta. Rita, a former Director of Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) and Chairperson of its subsidiary PNOC Development and Management Corporation (PDMC), was endorsed by Secretary of Energy Carlos Jericho Petilla to President Aquino for the position after former NPC President Froilan Tampinco resigned in his post.
Gladys Sta. Rita studied at the University of the Philippines School of Economics, both for her undergraduate and graduate degree courses. She completed a Certificate Program for Senior Executives at the John F. Kennedy School of Government in Harvard University. She also completed a master’s degree in Public Administration at La Consolacion University of the Philippines.
Before her stint in the energy sector, Sta. Rita served as the Provincial Administrator of Bulacan for 17 years and worked as consultant at United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the HPDP of the UPEcon for projects in the Philippines. She also worked as the Director General of the Liberal Party of the Philippines.
Sta. Rita authored Running A Bureaucracy: A Guidebook for Local Government Unit Administrators, Other Public Managers and Elected Officials, a UP Centennial Publication of the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP NCPAG). She also co-authored Towards a More Effective Peoples Participation in Local Governance: A Sourcebook on Local Public Finance.
PHLPost Chairman Cesar Sarino, Postmaster General Josie Dela Cruz and DHL EXpress Philippines Country MAnager Yati Abdullah.
Service will first be available at 12 PHLPOST locations with more outlets to be added in 2014.
Offers more international shipping options to small and medium enterprises in the Philippines.
The Philippine Star
8 May 2013
DHL Express, the world’s leading express services provider, today announced a partnership with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost). This first-of-its-kind collaboration is part of PHLPost’s plans to reinvigorate its international service offering by providing more shipping options to its customers.
DHL Express services will first be offered at twelve (12) PHLPost locations in Ortigas, Pasig City; Greenhills, San Juan City; Cebu City; Baguio City; Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Angeles, Pampanga; Iloilo City; Legaspi City; Davao City; and central post offices in Manila, Quezon City and Makati City. Customers will be able to enjoy the ease of shipping internationally to over 220 countries and territories by simply registering their documents and packages at the post offices. The availability of the 24/7 customer service hotline andtrack and trace capability give customers the ability to closely monitor their shipments from pick up to delivery.
“Our partnership will see us leverage on the extensive network and services of DHL Express to further boost our product offerings and reach. It will extend over and beyond the maximum weight limit permissible and outside of the existing serviceable countries of our Express Mail Service. This will enable us to be more globally competitive and ready to serve the increasing demands of our customers. The extension of services allows us to continue adding value to our customers through the provision of prompt and affordable services,” said Josefina dela Cruz, Philippine Postal Corporation, CEO and Postmaster General.
“International trade is a key driver of economic growth. Increasingly, we are seeing efforts by both public and private sectors working hand-in-hand to revitalize the logistics industry in the country. The partnership that we witness today is a showcase of PHLPost’s commitment towards elevating its service offering to its customers, and we are excited to be a part of this journey. Our experience in working with some of Southeast Asia’s national postal offices in Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam will allow our local team to share best practices with PHLPost,” said Yasmin Aladad Khan, Senior Vice President DHL Express Southeast Asia.
Nurhayati Abdullah, Country Manager, DHL Express Philippines commented, “We are excited about this partnership because it is born out of both parties’ mutual desire to provide Filipinos with fast and reliable ways to send heavier parcels and packages to more countries abroad. This collaboration is a perfect combination of the unrivalled global network and expertise in international express industry of DHL Express, with PHLPost’s local postal services and its extensive reach in the country. More importantly, local small and medium enterprises will be able to tap on the wealth of knowledge that DHL and PHLPost possess , to expand their business overseas more efficiently.” The DHL Express service offering will cover the following shipments under the agreement: – Shipments weighing 0.5 kg and above to be sent to countries currently not covered by PHLPost’s Express Mail Service (EMS) – Shipments sent to countries where EMS is offered, but exceed the maximum weight that can be accepted DHL services will be expected to be rolled out in more PHLPost locations in 2014.
By DANESSA O. RIVERA, GMA News Published May 7, 2013 6:48pm
The speed of email has made snail mail nearly obsolete. But the nation’s post offices don’t want to become extinct. Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) is seeking to diversify its services from mail delivery to logistics through a partnership with DHL Express Philippines. “The traditional mail is declining,” said PhilPost CEO and postmaster general Josefina dela Cruz. According to PhilPost data, it delivered 156,165,480 pieces of mail in 2011, down 34 percent from 206,107,210 in 2010, while data is not yet available for 2012. “We are now a logistics company. You send, we deliver. We deliver your mail, we deliver your goods, we deliver your money,” dela Cruz said. This year, dela Cruz said, PhilPost is targeting an increase of 15 percent in revenues to P4.6 billion. In 2012, PhilPost earned P3.5 billion in revenues, 9 percent below its target of P3.8 billion for the year. ‘We are transforming the postal work to logistics services from mail delivery,” PhilPost chairman Cesar Sarino said during the DHL-PhilPost Partnership press conference held in Makati City. PhilPost inked on Tuesday an agreement with DHL Express Philippines to partner for an international service. The partnership will allow PhilPost to expand its services from its 59 partner countries to 220 countries and accept parcels weighing more than 20 kilograms. The service, pegged at DHL rates, is initially available in 12 post offices in highly urban areas: Ortigas, Pasig City; Greenhills, San Juan City; Cebu City; Baguio City; Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Angeles, Pampanga; Iloilo City; Legaspi City; Davao City; and central post offices in Manila, Quezon City and Makati City. Dela Cruz said the partnership will be one year initially, noting that the PhilPost offices offering DHL services are less than 1 percent of its 1,800 offices. The local express services provider will look at expanding to more postal offices after a year, DHL Express country manager Nurhayati Abdullah said. PhilPost entered the logistics business after it received nine out of 12 units of six-wheeler canter trucks and four units of 10-wheeler trucks in January. — BM, GMA News
August 1, 2013
