On March 15, the Philippine Post Office joined the nation in celebrating National Women’s Month with a series of activities. The first-ever purple lighting ceremony was held at the historic lobby of the Manila Central Post Office in Liwasang Bonifacio.

In his speech, postmaster general and chief executive officer of the Philippine Postal Corp. Norman Fulgencio said, “We are proud that almost half of the post office workforce is composed of women and perhaps this is why we are headed toward a more progressive and mapagmalasakit na post office. Nais ko pong bigyang pugay ang ating magigiting na kartera, ang mga post office front-liners na patuloy na nagsusumikap na maihatid ang mga sulat at parsela sa ating mga customers.”

He added, “The post office emphasizes the importance of equality among men, women and other gender. Hindi po tayo tumitingin sa kung sino ka man, what is important is your integrity, diligence and competence. We admire and respect women everywhere. They deserve a safe and conducive working environment, which the post office will always provide.”

Recently, PHLPost featured remarkable Filipino women on stamps including Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, US Women’s Open champ Yuka Saso, Lea Salonga, Monique Lhuillier, Josie Natori, Olivia “Bong” Coo, Gloria Romero, Rosa Rosal, Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos and Susan Roces.

Fulgencio said, “Napakaraming beses na pong napatunayan ng ating mga Pilipina ang kanilang husay sa serbisyo publiko, negosyo, kalusugan, palakasan, sining at iba’t ibang larangan. Ang Buwan ng Kababaihan ay magandang pagkakataon upang ipaalala sa lahat na ang karapatan at kakayahan ng kababaihan at kalalakihan ay patas lamang. We celebrate not only the working women of the world, but all women including our mothers, wives, sisters, daughters and friends.”

The Philippine Commission on Women also participated in the event. Maria Kristine Josefina G. Balmes, deputy executive director for operations, said in her speech, “We want to enable more women to meaningfully contribute to the country’s progress. This month, let us honor Juanas by highlighting their role in the nation . . .

“To all female letter carriers, saludo po kami sa inyo. Celebrating National Women’s Month is only a part of a bigger goal. This celebration is a reminder that you are strong, magnificent, beautiful and always exemplary, brilliant, compassionate, passionate, innovative, resilient and powerful for being pillars, trailblazers and changemakers in the family, community and country. We honor and celebrate all of you.”

At the event, some female letter carriers were honored for their many years of service.

The post office’s human resources department has a lineup of events to celebrate Women’s Month as well, which includes stamps-designing contest, lecture on sexual harassment and the Safe Spaces Act, and honoring of employees who are solo parents. —CONTRIBUTED INQ

The author is a student with a passion for philately, the collection and study of stamps.