Pilipinas Shell Centennial Stamp Launching in Makati

156 Valero Street Salcedo Village Makati City

Postmaster General  Maria Josefina Dela Cruz together with Shell companies in the Philippines (SciP) Country Chairman Edgar Chua

Shell Philippines marks a milestone in their corporate anniversary in the country as the corporation celebrates their 100th anniversary of operations in the Philippines .

Shell Philippines Music Club and SBO Chorale

The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) launched the Shell Centennial Commemorative Stamps in recognition of Shell’s 100 year presence in the country. PHLPost officially issued the stamps on December 13, 2014 (12.13.14), specially chosen as this only happens once in a lifetime. Consecutive dates is considered auspicious in feng shui and those who practice numerology. However the cancellation marks must indicate 12-13-14 and not December 13, 2014 .

The event started at around past 10:00am , With some invited philatelists ( stamp collectors ) Shell executives, employees, stamp advisory committee members and reporters .

Mr. Edgar Chua -Country Manager

“We are honored and privileged to have the Philippine Postal Corporation print commemorative stamps recognizing Shell’s contribution to the country. Having that privilege, we are now part of the culture and history of the country,” said SciP Country Chairman Edgar Chua. “On behalf of the men and women of Shell companies in the Philippines (SciP), I would like to thank PHLPost for being our partner in this momentous celebration; we look forward to Shell’s another 100 years as we will continue to be a major contributor in the country’s growth and development.”

First Day Cover autograph presentation

It is the first time that Shell Philippines is issuing a commemorative stamp and commemorative banknotes was issued several month before by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas .

group photo

It is wise decision of the part of the Shell Philippines to issue commemorative stamps , Their stamps had glitters and can be used for mailing purposes . It is also an advertising tool for the company.  After the ceremonial unveiling ceremony and autograph signing by Shell Philippines executives and Philippine Postal Corporation officials . We were invited to the penthouse by the organizers and were treated to a lunch.

Mr. Jose Antonio Jayme and Mr. Jimmy Ang enjoying the sumptuous lunch

We were given some First Day Cover .  As a part of the momentous occasion,  We also let the Shell officials , executives and Postmaster General Maria Josefina dela Cruz signed the commemorative FDC’s .

Shell gas pump

SHELL Philippines is here to stay and a lot of local communities are the beneficiaries of their various humanitarian , environmental and socio-economic projects. We do not want to slip this event in the history .

Technical Description:

There are  114,000 copies of the Shell Centennial Commemorative Stamps valued at Php25.00 denomination. Shell’s commemorative stamps were the first to make use of gold foil hot stamping. It’s embellishment is tactile sand varnish on the pecten and Shell Centennial logo, which allows the individual to feel and touch the actual texture of the stamp. Likewise, the size is 50mm by 30.5 mm, which is bigger than ordinary-sized stamps. Apart from these, Shell is the first in its industry to have specially embellished stamps.

presentation pack

The  stamps issued on December 13, 2014 is available until December 14, 2015 at the Post Shop, Philately and Museum Division, Manila Post Offices, all regional Offices of PHLPost, and in 190 postal administration offices worldwide.

Website: http://www.shell.com.ph/

Note : All photos are taken by the author , Please cite this blog / link for any usage of the photos .

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Uratex Plant Hopping Tour : An Experience to Cherish

URATEX Plant- Km. 23 East Service Road,Baranggay Cupang ,  South Superhighway , Muntinlupa City, Philippines

Ms. Abby Candelaria

I arrived at the Uratex Plant shortly after past 9:00am. Commuted from Quezon City to Alabang station then took a jeepney ride which passes the service road going to the Uratex Plant. Then was greeted by AMPR head and Uratex Plant manager upon my arrival.

Uratex Plant

The company is the biggest in Southeast Asia and even exports its mattress and beds in many Asian countries like Korea and Taiwan.

scale model of the factory

The event is said to be around past 10:00am,  It is better to be early rather than to be late. I am quite excited to join this plant tour organized by AMPR and Uratex company , Our family and immediate relatives were  long time dealer of Uratex products for more than 40 years.

plastic bottles and containers are piled-up for recycling

The plant is quite big , it covers about 10 hectares and it is well-maintained , clean and efficient.

media briefing

There were about 50 or so bloggers, traditional media, online news, magazine writers that are included in the tour. We were divided into 4 groups .

The plant tour consist of four areas:

1.) Research and Development 

This is the most important section of the plant. Most of the time this is off-limits to the visiting public and different types of foams are tested for the applicability , durability and usage.  I think this is the most important part of the plant visit.

different color and density of foams

The company has a Foam Research and Development and Process Engineering Departments that are dedicated in continuous development and acquisition of advance technology, equipment, processes all over the world.

The departments ensure that Uratex Foam are of high quality and of world class standard.  Foams are also custom made into different sizes and shapes.

various certification and commendation received

2.) Hennecke / Foaming 

This is where they blend the materials used to make the foam. From liquid, it will be stored in a cool area till it is ready. ( It is an area where they keep it cold like chambers)

storage of chemicals

garden of elves

Before we left the cooling / storage area. We saw a small garden with miniature house with elves and mushroom.

Merry -Go-Round type of cutting tools

3.) Cutting 

Cutting foam is very important and the procedure is done at a fast phase .  The company uses state of the art modern machinery and tools which are imported from other countries.

state of the art cutting equipment

vertifoam machine

 scale model of the vertifoam machine.

Only Uratex has “Quali 5 Cellular Technology” which is defined as the collection of the qualities and technologies that make sure that the Uratex foams produced by the company are of high and world-class quality.

retaso foam

 Dealers and foam sellers would call scrap foam ( retaso foam) they are scrap foam remelted and form into a new foam for mattress , bedding, rugs ,cushion,  props  or just simply for stuffing packages . They are cheaper compared to the single colored foam . They are also the most in demand for the budget conscious people.

Technogel Technology

4.) Showroom

This is where we have our shopping spree, We were given pepsi softdrink and was able to purchase some products at a factory price.

Most of us lingered and marveled at the variety of products that the company had produced  .  The company had also ventured into food container and plastic items.

Note: I would like to “Thank” Uratex and AMPR for the special tour .

Contact Information

Tel: (632) 842-6326 to 27

Fax: (632) 842-3127

Store Hours:
Monday to Saturday 8 – 6pm
Sunday 10 – 6pm

Please visit these links:

https://www.facebook.com/UratexPhilippines

http://www.uratex.com.ph/

Twitter: @Uratexfoam

Uratex: http://www.uratex.com.ph/

Related Story: https://renz15.wordpress.com/2014/09/05/team-kramer-at-home-with-uratex/

35th Grand Marian Procession in Intramuros

Intramuros , Manila-Philippines

beautiful ladies greeted tourists and devotees

Intramuros Administration together with Cofradia de la Inmaculada Concepción,  feature some of the best-loved images of the Blessed Virgin under various titles, both local and international.

Fort Santiago

At past 2:00pm, People started trooping inside Fort Santiago , Plaza de Armas area was opened to the public and devotees started lining the main entrance. It was a bit overcast sky and there is a big chance of rains. However , it did not stop people in coming .

Nuestra Señora dela Esperanza Macarena

La Macarena is the traditional and historical name of the area of Seville (Spain). The devotion started in Seville and gradually spread in Latin America and found its way to the Philippines.

a young lady all dress-up for the grand parade

2014 also marked the 35th anniversary of the revival of the annual procession ,which ceases after the second world war. The annual exhibition and procession is very grand and serves as a reminder how deeply religious and faithful .

devotees and friends pose for a souvenir shot

There are some 100 Marian images from different parts of the country and several thousands of people from all walks of life attending the parade.

group photo at the national press club

We organized  the usual postal heritage tour with a side trip to the Marian exhibits and procession route within Manila Cathedral . There were a lot of foreigners and balikbayans .

 Nuestra Señora de Salambao of Bulacan

There are new entries which includes  Virgen de Salambao of Obando, Bulacan  and Cavite’s Rosario de Caracol.

Our Lady of Hope

Our Lady of Hope is the title given to the Virgin Mary on her apparition at Pontmain, France  on January 17, 1871.

A place of pilgrimage, it attracts annually around 200,000 drawn from among the people of the region, with some international pilgrimages, especially from Germany. In the Philippines , there are several parishes like in Pag-Asa and Diliman in Quezon City which bears the titular name.

contingents from Catanduanes province, Bicol region

The Lady of All Nations

beautiful arrangement of flowers

Our Lady of La Salette

(French :Notre-Dame de La Salette) It is an important Marian apparition reported by two children named Maxim Giraud and Melanie Calvat which occurred at La Salette – Fallavaux , France in 1846.

 Pope Pius IX on September 19, 1851 approved the public devotion and prayers to Our Lady of La Salette, referring to its messages of apparition as “secrets”. On 24 August 1852, Pope Pius IX once again mentioned the construction of the altar to La Salette. The same papal bull granted the foundation of the Association of Our Lady of La Salette, formalized on 7 September.

religious and sacristans

sacristans

While IGMP participants are mainly replicas, There are  some original images of Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Imus, Aranzazu de San Mateo, Fátima de Valenzuela, Ina Poon Bato de Zambales, Consolación y Correa de Intramuros, Divina Pastora de Nueva Ecija, and the Soledad de San Isidro, also of Nueva Ecija.

a senior citizen dress in a fine Filipiniana outfit

Malabanan said that in 2013 almost the whole population of Pakil, including its local officials, came in droves to Intramuros to show their support for their patroness, Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba.

Our Lady of Montserrat

Our Lady Mediatrix of All Graces

On August 18, 1948, Teresita noticed a very heavenly fragrance, and upon entering her room she saw a beautiful Lady in white who spoke to her: “Do not fear my daughter, He who loves above all things has sent me. I come with a message…” The Lady asked Sister Teresita to wash the feet of the Mother Prioress, to kiss it and drink the water afterwards.  Hence , local devotion was initiated in 1991 after several controversies when local bishop  Initially declared  as non-supernatural in 1951.

Virgen  Milagrosa  del Rosario del Pueblo de Orani

According to oral accounts, it was very much accepted that the Spanish Dominicans brought “a mother” to the people of this place. And this “mother” performed continuous and constant miracles for them. As the years passed by, this “mother” became known as Virgen Milagrosa del Rosario del Pueblo de Orani.

Website: http://balangadiocese.org/BishopRupert/birhenngorani.html

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/nsdrorani

Since its launch in in 1980, IGMP has attracted devotees from within the Philippines as well as abroad, some of them tourists and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who make it a point to flock to the Walled City every first Sunday of December in honor of the Immaculate Conception.

Organizers are expecting a bigger and grander festival for 2015 !

Sari-Saring Happiness at the Pinoy Coke Fanatics Christmas party and Swap Meet

 Solar Garden Cafe and Restaurant , # 37 Scout Rallos street, Quezon City-Philippines

Pinoy Coke Fanatics members and special guests

It was quite cloudy last November 29 when the members , guests , vips of Pinoy Coke Fanatics celebrated their Christmas party and Swap Meet at the Solar Garden and Restaurant in Quezon City.

registration  committee

we are quite fortunate that the organizing committee scheduled the Christmas party early since , everyone will be quite busy in the coming weeks.

Dwayne Miranda and Arjay Mendoza

buffet meal

There are several members which came from different parts of the country . There was one member from Isabela province, La Union, Batangas, Pampanga, Bulacan , Cavite, Quezon , Laguna and Metro Manila.