PHLPost to open more Next Day Delivery hubs this January

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) is boosting its domestic and international express mail service in the country with the launching of new Express Mail Service (EMS) delivery hubs in Manila, Quezon City, Makati Central Post Offices, and CMEC in Pasay City.

At present, the bulk of express mail items are delivered to different locations in the  National Capital Region by its Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) hub located in Pasay City.  With the new system, EMS delivery personnel, drivers, and couriers will be transferred from CMEC in Pasay City to EMS hubs in Manila, Quezon City, and Makati where delivery will commence.

The Manila, Makati, and CMEC Pasay EMS delivery hubs will be operational starting January 13, 2025. The Quezon City has been in operation since November 2024.

These EMS hubs will provide customers better access, convenience, and savings in transacting their EMS items as these are nearer to their place. Undelivered items will be retained for seven (7) days to give time for customers to request redelivery or claim the items instead of going to CMEC in Pasay City.

EMS Next Day Delivery is designed to optimize service in Metro Manila, a region that accounts for a substantial portion of PHLPost’s delivery volume. This move aims to ensure cost efficiency, reduce handling, and provide real-time tracking capabilities.

The EMS operations will be managed from key hubs in Metro Manila, each covering specific areas for optimized delivery in the National Capital Region (Mega Manila Area). These include the Quezon City Central Post Office Hub – serving Caloocan City, Malabon, Marikina, Navotas, Novaliches, Quezon City, and Valenzuela; the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) Hub – covering the delivery in Pasay, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Parañaque, and Taguig:  Makati Central Post Office Hub – servicing the cities Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasig, and Pateros; and Manila Central Post Office– to deliver for Manila area and San Juan.

Domestic Express Mail for Metro Manila mailed at post offices after the cut-off time will be delivered within 48 hours. The Cut-Off time is 2:00 PM for post offices in Caloocan, Valenzuela, Marikina, Novaliches, Pasig, Paterros, Taguig, Mandaluyong, San Juan, SM Mall of Asia and SM Manila. NCR areas in Manila, Makati, Quezon City, Pasay, Paranaque, Muntinlupa, and Las Pinas Post Office shall be at 3:30 PM.

The DEMS next-day delivery service is designed to serve the needs of customers and strengthen PHLPost's competitive position in the logistics and e-commerce industry.

PHLPost's Domestic Express Mail Service (DEMS) is the fastest way to send urgent messages, business documents, or goods within the Philippines. DEMS items are usually delivered the next day after mailing, provided they are posted before the cut-off time.

For international destinations, PHLPost is banking on its membership with the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the presence of bilateral agreements with 56 countries for the reciprocal exchange of EMS (Express Mail Service) items.

Prehistoric Humans Likely Had a Carbohydrate-Rich Diet, New Study Reveals

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

A groundbreaking study from Bar-Ilan University is challenging traditional views of early human diets. Contrary to the widespread belief that prehistoric humans predominantly consumed meat, the research suggests that early humans enjoyed a carbohydrate-rich diet derived from plants. These plants included nuts, tubers, roots, and other starchy foods. Moreover, the study reveals that our ancestors had the knowledge and tools to process these plant-based foods into forms suitable for consumption.

The study's findings stem from an analysis of microscopic particles found on 780,000-year-old basalt stone tools, discovered at the Gesher Benot Ya'akov archaeological site near the Jordan River in northern Israel. The tools, known as “maces and anvils,” were used to crack open and crush plants. This discovery marks the earliest evidence of humans processing plant foods, indicating that these early ancestors were not just gatherers but had developed sophisticated techniques for food preparation.

The site, rich in remains from the Acheulean culture of the early Stone Age, has provided valuable insight into the daily lives of prehistoric humans. Among the remains found were numerous stone tools, animal fossils, and plant debris. The recent study highlights that the Paleolithic people living at this site had developed a specialized technology to process starchy plants, requiring organized foraging, likely over long distances, and careful extraction of edible parts from various plants. Once extracted, the plants were likely mashed and perhaps even treated with fire to make them more digestible.

Published in the prestigious journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the study challenges the commonly held assumption that early human diets were dominated by meat consumption. This belief was largely shaped by the prevalence of hunting tools and animal remains found at archaeological sites. However, the researchers of this study argue that plants played a much more significant role in the diets of our ancestors, which in turn suggests advanced cognitive and technological abilities in early humans.

These findings shed light on how prehistoric humans may have used their intelligence to survive in diverse environments. They were not only able to gather a wide range of plant species from various habitats but also had the cognitive capability to process these plants effectively. Using percussive tools, they cracked, mashed, and prepared plant foods that were rich in carbohydrates, showing that early human diets were likely a balanced combination of both meat and plant-based foods.

This new research offers a fresh perspective on the evolutionary history of human diets, emphasizing the role of plant-based foods and the importance of technological advancement in early human survival. It also opens the door to further research on the nutritional practices of our ancestors and their complex relationship with the environment.

Unresolved Crimes in the Philippines: Power, Mystery, and the Cry for Justice

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Philippines has been a stage for some of the most shocking and unresolved crimes involving prominent personalities. These cases remain haunting reminders of lives cut short and justice delayed. Among these, the case of Pepsi Paloma stands as a chilling example of how influence and power can obstruct the truth.

The Pepsi Paloma Controversy: A Catalyst for Justice

In 1982, Pepsi Paloma, a 14-year-old rising starlet and member of the "soft drink beauties," accused three popular comedians—Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon, and Richie D’Horsie—of drugging and raping her. The case sent shockwaves through the nation, putting the powerful entertainment trio under intense public scrutiny.

The accusations were eventually withdrawn, reportedly after Paloma was coerced into signing an affidavit of desistance. Just three years later, in 1985, Paloma was found dead in what was officially ruled a suicide. To this day, questions linger about her alleged rape, the subsequent cover-up, and the circumstances surrounding her death. Many see her story as emblematic of a justice system swayed by power and influence.

Paloma’s tragic fate serves as a haunting starting point to explore other high-profile unresolved crimes that share similar themes of mystery, power, and injustice.

1. The Murder of Nida Blanca: A Beloved Star Silenced

Dorothy Jones, better known as Nida Blanca, was a celebrated actress in Philippine cinema. On November 7, 2001, she was found brutally murdered in her car at the Atlanta Centre in San Juan City, her body bearing multiple stab wounds.

The investigation centered on her husband, Rod Strunk, who was accused of orchestrating the murder for financial reasons. Strunk fled to the United States during the probe and later died by suicide in 2007. Despite a confession from Philip Medel, who claimed to have been hired to kill Blanca, no one has been convicted.

This unresolved case not only robbed the Philippines of a cultural icon but also raised questions about the efficiency of the country’s criminal justice system.

2. The Vizconde Massacre: A Nation Divided

In 1991, the Vizconde family tragedy shook the Philippines to its core. Estrellita Vizconde and her daughters, Carmela and Jennifer, were savagely murdered in their Parañaque home. Carmela was also raped.

The case became infamous when Hubert Webb, the son of a prominent politician, and six others were accused of the crime. Decades of legal battles followed, culminating in the Supreme Court’s acquittal of the accused in 2010 due to insufficient evidence. To this day, the massacre remains unsolved, with the real perpetrators still unidentified.

Much like the Pepsi Paloma case, the Vizconde massacre exposed the systemic flaws of a justice system that many believe favors the powerful.

3. The Death of Rico Yan: A Beloved Idol Gone Too Soon

The untimely death of matinee idol Rico Yan in 2002 left his fans heartbroken. Official reports stated that the 27-year-old actor died of acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis while vacationing in Palawan.

However, whispers of foul play and rumors of substance abuse have lingered for years. The lack of transparency surrounding the investigation has only fueled speculation, much like the controversies surrounding Pepsi Paloma’s death.

Yan’s passing serves as a reminder of how unanswered questions can tarnish the legacy of a beloved figure.

4. The Murder of Alexis Tioseco and Nika Bohinc: A Love Story Cut Short

On September 1, 2009, acclaimed film critic Alexis Tioseco and his Slovenian partner, Nika Bohinc, were shot dead in their Quezon City home. While the police initially labeled the incident a robbery, the precision and brutality of the attack led many to believe it was a targeted killing.

Despite some arrests, no one has been convicted. The unresolved nature of this crime has left the Philippine film community grieving not only the loss of two passionate advocates but also the lack of justice for their deaths.

5. The Killing of Ruby Rose Barrameda: A Crime of Betrayal

Ruby Rose Barrameda’s disappearance in 2007 was the beginning of a nightmare for her family. Two years later, her body was found encased in a cement-filled steel drum submerged off the coast of Navotas.

The crime pointed to her estranged husband and his influential family, but legal proceedings have been drawn out, leaving justice elusive. The horrific details of her murder echo the same themes of coercion and abuse of power seen in Pepsi Paloma’s case.

Why Do These Crimes Remain Unresolved?

The unresolved nature of these cases points to systemic issues within the Philippine justice system. Corruption, lack of resources, witness intimidation, and the undue influence of powerful individuals often derail investigations and trials. Cases like Pepsi Paloma’s highlight how social and political power can be used to manipulate the system, silencing victims and shielding perpetrators.

A Nation’s Call for Justice

The stories of Pepsi Paloma, Nida Blanca, the Vizconde family, Rico Yan, Alexis Tioseco, Nika Bohinc, and Ruby Rose Barrameda are more than just unsolved crimes—they are cautionary tales of how the justice system can fail its people.

As the years pass, these cases continue to captivate public attention, inspiring films, documentaries, and debates. But beyond the intrigue lies a deeper cry for accountability. For the victims’ families and a society yearning for justice, these unresolved crimes remain open wounds.

The call for reform in the Philippine justice system has never been louder. These haunting stories demand answers and serve as reminders of the lives that were unjustly taken. Justice may be delayed, but the hope remains that one day, the truth will come to light.

Sources

Wikipedia: Nida Blanca Murder

Wikipedia: Vizconde Massacre

Spot.ph: Rico Yan’s Death

Top Ten PH: Shocking Celebrity Crimes

Rappler: Pepsi Paloma Case