Send your mails and parcels early this Christmas – PhlPost

As the Christmas season is coming near and people are now busy preparing for the holidays, PHLPost reminds those who wish to send their Christmas mails and presents to post it as early as possible to be able to reach its recipient before Christmas and New Year.

Postmaster General Josie dela Cruz advised the public to send their mails and parcels before the prescribed dates to guarantee the arrival of their items in time for the Yuletide season.

As a guide to senders, PHLPost issued a Christmas mail schedule for its Domestic and International Express, Registered and Ordinary Mails, and parcels where clients should send not later than the specified date to ensure that mails and parcels will reach its destination before Christmas day (December 25) and New Year (January 1).

Holiday-related Domestic Express mails (DEMS) should be sent not later than December 16 (Wednesday), and December 14 (Monday) for International Express mails (IEMS).

Domestic registered mails should be posted earlier than December 10 (Thursday).

Meanwhile, Domestic Ordinary mails should be sent on or before December 11 (Friday) while international ordinary mails should be sent not later than today, December 7.

Lastly, the deadline for domestic parcels is set on December 10 (Thursday).

Dela Cruz also urged those in the provinces to mail their items earlier than the above schedule in order to reach destination in time for Christmas and New Year. Post Offices all over the country are open Mondays to Fridays, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except holidays.

She further said that the volume of letters and parcels sent through post offices are expected to increase during the Christmas season.

In a bid to turn waste materials into more useful resources, real estate developer Amaia Land Corp. recently held its first-ever Upcycling Challenge last Oct. 17, 24, and 25 at Solenad 1, Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

The three-day event witnessed a slew of design students, professionals, and upcycling enthusiasts participating in the exciting competition. All the participants were given 24 hours to create marketable and practical home products from scratch using plastic soft drink bottles. Each team was provided with R3,000 for raw materials and was transported to the site.

The 13 finalists in the Upcycling Challenge all produced highly creative designs and innovative upcycled household materials out of the plastic soft drink bottles such as lamps, chandelier, sofa bed, and tables, among others, which are all on display at Soledad 1, while their images are showcased on Amaia Land Corp.’s official Facebook page.

Upcycling, also known as creative reuse, is the process of turning old and discarded goods or waste materials into something useful and beautiful and with better environmental value.

Emerging at the top of the podium, “Team DJE” composed of Danny John Kalinga, Jojean Aguilar, and Johnedel Edward Ogalesco made a floor lamp called “Bubble Coral” out of different sizes of plastic bottles. Coming in second with an upcycled chandelier are Danilo Perez, Charlie Cannal, and Louie Luena of “Team Bulahao” whose work is among the crowd’s favorite.

Meanwhile, Kia Del Rosario and Jose Masucol of “Kneutral Manila” bagged the third prize with an upcycled table and storage named “EpitoME.”

Amaia Marketing Head Anna Garcia-Ramos said during the awarding ceremonies last Sunday that the three teams stood out because their works are marketable. “We chose these three because of marketability and alignment with the brand Amaia. These upcycled materials are very simple, modern, contemporary, and, more importantly, in line with the brand’s character.”

The grand winner bagged R100,000 in cash and a glass trophy, while the first and second runners-up both received glass trophies and R50,000 and R25,000, respectively. Meanwhile, the upcycled material with the most number of likes on Facebook will receive a special prize.

Ricky Celis, Amaia Land Corp. president, said the upcycling contest is meant to encourage the public to creatively reduce waste by turning these into useful and aesthetically pleasing products.

“Caring for the environment has always been part of our advocacy. We want a project that would push this cause, so the Upcycling Challenge is really perfect for us. Here in Amaia Steps Parkway Nuvali, we encourage everyone to live a life that is one with nature — to not just enjoy its beauty but also care for it,” he said.

The first-ever upcycling challenge was judged by Socialite-Philanthropist and Interior Designer Tessa PrietoValdes, acclaimed painter/poet and columnist Igan D’ Bayan, and Marketing Had Anna Garcia Ramos. Both impressed by the works of the winners, judges Prieto-Valdes and D’ Bayan showed interest on Team DJE’s Bubble Coral and Team Bulahao’s Chandelier, respectively.

Ayala Land’s Nuvali, which spans 1,750 hectares, is an inspiring model of a green, sustainable eco-community. Built on the pillars of environmental, economic, and social sustainability, community development remains a primary objective of Nuvali in achieving this balance.

Nuvali, which is located in the cities of Sta. Rosa and Calamba, and in the Municipality of Cabuyao in Laguna, is part of the growth corridor of the Calabarzon region. Its campus-like environment integrates a community where residences, business, and recreation flow seamlessly. It is a community where homeowners can proudly raise their families.