PHLPost singing kartero Rochelle Burato (back to camera) serenading PHLPost couple, Mr. Vem and Ms. Jhen. (Photo from the Facebook page of the PHLPost Mega Manila Area)
MANILA, Philippines — A bouquet of roses with a love note is a sweet gesture on Valentine’s Day but nothing beats a good old-fashioned “harana” (serenade) to spark that “kilig” (romantic thrill).
This year, the Philippine Postal Corp. has brought back its “Singing Kartero” service — messengers who personally serenade mail recipients with a song or two for a small fee.
Jeff Catayong, acting marketing head of PhilPost Mega Manila Area, said it’s the perfect Valentine’s gift for Filipino couples who “are more emotional [and] loving.”
Lavier Briones, one of the singing kartero (postman or messenger), said a serenade often packed a more emotional impact on the receiver because of the element of surprise.
Special arrangements
“It is very unique and more touching because it is unexpected,” she said.
For P2,500, customers may avail themselves of the PhilPost service, inclusive of two songs from a kartero under the state-run firm’s “Express Pada-LOVE project.”
Each messenger has a set of songs clients may choose from, but they may request special arrangements, provided it is doable.
“If the request the client wants is somehow hard, [there could be] arrangements if we will charge extra, depending on the service that will be added,” Catayong said.
Clients who have used the service are usually lovers or married couples of all ages, but the service isn’t limited to those in romantic relationships.
Briones shared that a client from Makati City requested her to sing “Iingatan Ka” by Carol Banawa to her mother in Meycauayan City in Bulacan for Valentine’s, along with the delivery of a bouquet of flowers.
“She told me that she wants her mom to have flowers for Valentine’s, when she arrives [home],” he said.
The Singing Kartero service is available until Wednesday, the day after Valentine’s.
But Catayong said PhilPost was studying the possibility of offering the service year-round.
“We previously opened [the service] on different occasions, including Mother’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries and weddings,” he said.
For now, the service is available only within Metro Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, and select areas in Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Tuguegarao, Cebu, and Davao cities.