Post Office launches new generation of PH Postcards at the 1st Visayas Art Fair in Cebu

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio of the Philippine Postal Corporation (Post Office), together with Secretary Michael Dino of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) and Undersecretary Debold Sinas of the Office of the President unveiled four (4) “new generation” of Philippine Postcards at the opening of the first Visayas Art Fair, the biggest gathering of Filipino Artists from all over the country held at Montebello Hotel in Cebu City from Nov. 25-28.

The new generation of Philippine Postcards commemorates the outstanding achievements of Filipinos in different fields of endeavors’ which include:

• Living Legends: World-renowned Filipinos Series I, featuring bowling world champion Paeng Nepomuceno, chess grandmaster Eugene Torre, broadway star and singer Lea Salonga, innovator and tech entrepreneur Diosdado Banatao, fashion designer and entrepreneur Josie Natori, NBA star Jordan Clarkson, billiard legend Efren “Bata” Reyes and iconic Filipino mascot Jollibee. Cebuano’s pride, multi-awarded designer Kenneth Cobonpue and fashion designer Monique Lhuillier completed the list.

• The country’s first Olympic Gold Medalist Hidilyn Diaz

• The Philippines’ Miss Universe: Gloria Diaz, Margie Moran, Pia Wurtzbach and Catriona Gray

• Postcards highlighting Cebu- depicting the Quincentennial Commemorations of the 500th Anniversary of the Arrival of Santo Nino, the 500th Anniversary of the Victory in the Battle of Mactan and the Mother of All Maps, the Murillo Velarde Map.

A postcard is a piece of thick paper or thin cardboard, typically rectangular, intended for writing and mailing without an envelope. According to the Post Office, while stamps are windows through which we see the world, Postcards are the doors to which we explore it. Postcards are used to travel to distant lands, promote creativity and arts, express our feelings and emotions, while we keep in touch with our love ones.















Postmaster General Norman Fulgencio said,” Post Office is at the forefront of change. Apart from the usual delivery of mails and parcels, this time we will be the bearer of good news, hope and inspiration to millions of our countrymen in every part of the world”.

He added, “as the pandemic subsides, maybe this is the perfect time to inject a breath of fresh air, appreciate the artistic talents of our countrymen and introduce a new generation of stamps and postcards recognizing the true Philippine treasure, the most valuable asset of our country - the Filipino people”.

The “new generation” of Philippine postcards have a paper quality of 135gsm, glossy and matt finished with a new size of about 250mm (width) x150mm (height) and rectangular. Postcards and commemorative stamps are available at the “Visayas Art Fair” Post Office Booth until Nov. 28. The public are invited to visit Cebu City Central Post Office (near Plaza Independencia) and the Manila Central Post Office Postshop in Liwasang Bonifacio to buy these items.

Did VP Leni Robredo change her position on the abolition of the NTF-ELCAC?

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The NTF ELCAC fund is being used as a milking cow to gather and maintain support of the LGUs.

Campaign fund.

An arm to red-tag government critics.

Should we abolish the NTF-ELCAC and switch to a parliamentary form of government; then legalize and consider all political parties and beliefs as long as they are peaceful; and address the root cause of insurgency?

When Vice President Leni Robredo attended AFP’s security briefing, from it she made a speech regarding her contradictory stand about the NTF-ELCAC.

Her spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said the Vice President still wants the task force abolished.

“NTF abolition does not mean an abandonment of the local development programs or the whole-of-nation approach. She's been very clear about that,” Gutierrez said.

From what I understand, she says she supports the mandate of NTF-ELCAC, which is to end the insurgency. But by addressing its roots and not through red-tagging.

However, did she went soft in that meeting? To give her the benefit of the doubt, perhaps that security briefing wasn't the proper venue to discuss the issues.

The OVP actually has the right formula in beating the insurgency. She's keeping the agency but will be replacing some parts to make it better at solving the root cause which is poverty.

It is her trying to get support from the military brass and talking to them in language they can understand and appreciate and will not immediately turn them hostile. 

Understanding where people are coming from goes both ways.

It's difficult to understand for simple-minded generals who have been indoctrinated. That's why we need to talk to them in a certain way.

She knows the problem, but she also needs to get these men on her side so she tells them what they want to hear.

When she's president, she can actually do something. For now she needs to consolidate support. It's a difficult thing to do with all the other candidates (who are ok with killing citizens) building alliances. 

This is where the bus vs taxi analogy in elections fits.

"Many thanks to our new AFP chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Andres Centino, and to the honorable men and women of the AFP Joint Staff for the insightful discussion that we had at today’s security briefing. 

Sa gitna ng maraming pagsubok na hinaharap ng ating bansa, masuwerte tayo na nananatiling matatag at tapat sa taumbayan ang ating sandatahang lakas.

I want to address the elephant in the room kasi I've been quoted so many times already that I'm for the abolition of NTF-ELCAC. 

And I want to emphasize today that I am all for the mandate and the functions of ELCAC. In fact, yung Barangay Development Fund, I think that's the best part of everything.

Paniniwala ko, talagang it is only through concepts like this that the problems of insurgency can be addressed upfront." 

VP Leni says the entire NTF-ELCAC  task force has been cast in a bad light because of “careless statements of some of the members.” 

"Ako mismo, I've been on the receiving end of unfair accusations. I've been red tagged and the red tagging has been baseless. Kaisa nyo ako sa pagsubok na masugpo ito (insurgency) by addressing the core of these problems, and the peripheral issues surrounding it."

Robredo says OVP has projects focused on some of the country’s poorest provinces. 

“And that's basically the main idea, [which is] really to work with LGUs to do projects that will address not just the social injustices but the inequality that's been happening." 

I believe VP Leni’s stance on the NTF-ELCAC did not change, she just stated it in a more diplomatic way in front of the AFP top brass.

VP Leni has the wisdom and candor to see merit when there is. She sees the positiveness of the goals of the NTF Bgy Devt Program. It mirrors Jesse's Participatory Governance Program minus the HR violations and red-tagging, blots that are mainly due to Esperon's direction.

The program was used to red-tagged groups/personalities/members of the opposition. The people behind the program based from Senate inquiries has mismanaged their funds since there were Barangays that have big number of surrenderies but didn't received any from NTF-ELCAC. 

There's too much to talk about this program. I think what VP @lenirobredo did was binuksan niya yung room for everyone to discuss. Para mag-usap ang mga stakeholders. Totoo naman kasi talaga, maganda ang program mali lang ang mga nag-implement. 

The mandate is always good but how they went about it is wrong. Instead of making it feel inclusive they are excluding people. 

I believe the above is the mandate & function of the NTF-ENLAC which the VP believes in. However, it does not abide by its mandate, That's problematic and should be addressed. 

In theory, it is almost perfect. But if you have shady leaders heading the agency, that is where the demons surface.

The "armed struggle" no longer serve a purpose in this time. Democracy was reinstated and our brothers at arm should think about leading their fight within the democratic fold of a duly constituted government and participate in a democratic process than fire a gun.

May issue against dito ang mga nasa loob mismo ng ilang government agencies na kasali sa implementation. Halos lahat ng work nila nakatali sa objectives ng NTF-ELCAC. Imbes na tutukan ang mandato nila, hindi na magawa kasi ang focus ay ang pagtugis sa mga rebelde gamit ang IP leaders.

I actually appreciate that there is more discussion about the NTF-ELCAC, kasi I don’t think that many people know what it’s all about. 

Maybe let’s give space for that discussion. Information about it will be useful. We have to trust Leni as our chosen candidate to have our best interests at heart.

Those attacking VP Leni on her statement on the NTF-ELCAC are either clutching at straws or are willfully lacking in comprehension. 

Has there been a rigorous study on how effective NTF-ELCAC's pork-like "development projects" have been in achieving development targets/goals?

This has to be clarified to people who do not understand politics.

Communism is counter-productive. The name itself incites violence. Maybe educate people about Communism in a non-elitist way. Karamihan kase ng nakakaalam ng komunismo napaka-pompous mag-explain.

SSS sets release dates for 2021 December, 13th month pensions amounting to P27.5B

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


The Social Security System (SSS) issued a schedule for the release of the 2021 December and 13th month pensions of its pensioners.

SSS President and CEO Aurora C. Ignacio said the total amount to be released for the said pensions stands at P27.5 billion for 3.14 million pensioners.


“We have coordinated with our partner banks to credit the pensions on given dates during the first week of December so that our pensioners can receive and use them in time for the holiday season,” Ignacio said.


Under the schedule, the dates of crediting of the said pensions for pensioners whose disbursement account is with a Philippine Electronic Fund Transfer System and Operations Network (PESONet) participating banks or e-wallets, or Remittance Transfer Companies/Cash Payout Outlets (RTCs/CPOs) are the following:

If the date of contingency is from the first to 15th day of the month: December 1, 2021.
If the date of contingency is from the 16th to the last day of the month or availed of the advance 18 months pension: December 4, 2021.
Meanwhile, for pensioners whose disbursement account is with a non-PESONet participating bank, their 2021 December and 13th month pensions will be credited to their accounts not later than December 4, 2021.


The SSS also coordinated with the Philippine Postal Corporation to expedite the delivery of the 2021 December and 13th month pensions of pensioners who are still receiving them through checks.


For those whose pensions were suspended due to previous non-compliance with the Annual Confirmation of Pensioners Program (ACOP) but whose accrued pensions are now for resumption, they will receive the said pensions on the 16th day of the month (if with PESONet participating bank disbursement account) or on their date of contingency (if with non-PESONet participating bank disbursement account).


The SSS, since 1988, has been giving 13th month pensions to its pensioners every December as an extra cash gift for them for the holidays.


Those who are entitled to the 13th month pension are SSS retirement, survivor, and total disability pensioners. Partial disability pensioners may also qualify for the 13th month pension provided that their pension duration is at least 12 months.


Pensions after December 2021 will follow their regular crediting schedule. For pensioners whose disbursement account is a PESONet participating bank or e-wallets, or RTCs/CPOs, this is the first day of the pension month, if their date of contingency is from the first to the 15th day of the month, or the 16th day of the month, if their date of contingency is from the 16th to the last day of the pension month. For those who are receiving their pensions through non-PESONet participating banks or checks, this is on their date of contingency.

For more information, visit the uSSSap Tayo Portal at https://crms.sss.gov.ph, follow the SSS on Facebook and YouTube at “Philippine Social Security System,” Instagram at “mysssph,” Twitter at “PHLSSS,” or join its Viber Community at “MYSSSPH Updates.”