‘Singing Kartero’ expands range, prevents breakups

AVILA tunes up for a special delivery. Annelle Tayao-Juego

THE ROAD SHOW goes on for Mark Avila, who has so far serenaded about 40 women and counting.

“One of them was a teacher. I sang to her in front of her students. Her partner was so happy that they made up [after a lovers’ quarrel] after we surprised her with the delivery, he gave me P500 as tip. The biggest tip I’ve received is P1,000,” the 26-year-old recalled.

Avila is one of the nine “Singing Kartero (mailmen)” of the Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost), which on Thursday announced that their special services will be extended to more locations—and more occasions.

“Overwhelmed” by the success of the promo that was launched last year, PhilPost Assistant Postmaster General Luis Carlos said the minstrel-mailmen will now deliver also outside Metro Manila, starting with Bulacan and Cavite provinces.

Diosdada Marquez, PhlPost chief of marketing for Mega Manila, said the government-owned company had also received orders from the cities of Davao and Cagayan de Oro. “We usually contact our offices in those areas and ask our mailmen there—of course, those who can sing—to make the delivery,” she said. “But our regular service is really for Metro Manila, Bulacan and Cavite.”

During the week following Valentine’s Day in 2015, Marquez said, PHLPost received 56 orders for the singing mailmen. This year, the number jumped to 88 during the same week.

But many customers now want to have a balladeer knocking on the door as a surprise treat not just on the day of hearts but on birthdays and other family occasions, Carlos noted. Now available all year round, the kartero comes ready with a bouquet, a greeting card and two songs preselected by the client—all at P2,000 per delivery.

Avila said he had sung to over 20 people last Valentine’s Day alone and about 20 more since. The mailman, who was first interviewed by the Inquirer in February, reported on Thursday that his singing was probably instrumental in preventing the breakup of at least three couples.

Most of the Singing Kartero clients were yuppies aged 25 to 35, he said. Among the most requested songs are “God Gave Me You” by Bryan White, “Ikaw Na Nga” by Daryl Ong (originally by Willie Revillame), and “Ikaw” by Yeng Constantino.

The promo is offered by PHLPost’s Domestic Express Mail Service (tel. nos.: 0927-7790251, 5270144 or 5270145).