This week’s milestones: Oct. 11 to Oct. 17

The Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) opened the country’s first drive-thru post office in Davao City. In line with the city’s goal of improving vehicular flow and alleviating traffic around the Davao City Central Post Office, the drive-thru service provides a more accessible and time-efficient option for the convenience of the mailing public. It limits the transaction time to five to eight minutes, allowing motorists to pick up and send parcels and letters faster and reduce waiting time. There is a designated area where postal patrons can briefly park their vehicles to efficiently complete their transactions. The service also offers the option to phone-in transactions before heading to the post office to pick up their parcels.

Oct. 15, 1983

Lake Sebu was officially created as a municipality in South Cotabato through a plebiscite that ratified Batas Pambansa Blg. 249, which was approved on Nov. 11, 1982. Prior to its establishment as a municipality, Lake Sebu was part of Buluan, Maguindanao. Today, it stands as a first-class municipality with a total population of 84,252 residents as of the 2024 Census. It remains home to the indigenous T’boli cultural community, which had already settled in the area long before the arrival of the Spaniards.

This week’s milestones

Buglasan Festival (Oct. 15 to Oct. 25)

The Buglasan Festival, also known as “The Festival of Festivals,” takes place annually in Dumaguete City. Since 2002, the festival has been held as a 10-day event in mid-October, bringing together the different cities and municipalities of Negros Oriental for a province-wide celebration. Highlights of this year’s festival include the streetdancing competition and the new Lechon Festival competition, both happening on Oct. 16. Locals and visitors can also look forward to various competitions, shows, a trade fair, and a fireworks display.

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Sagingan Festival (Oct. 17)

The Sagingan Festival in Tubod, Lanao del Norte is an annual event that pays tribute to the town’s bountiful harvest and its hardworking farmers who sustain its thriving banana industry. Now on its 40th year, it stands as a meaningful celebration of the town’s journey, honoring their shared heritage and fostering the spirit of unity and collective pride among Tubodnons. As one of the major highlights of the “80th Araw ng Tubod” festivities, the festival also welcomes participating communities from other municipalities and cities to showcase the talents and artistry of the people through music, dance and vibrant cultural performances.

Dana Gracielle Quirante, Inquirer Research, Sources: phlpost.gov.ph, elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph, southcotabato.gov.ph, blgf.gov.ph, psa.gov.ph, nhcphistoricsites.blogspot.com, dumaguetecity.gov.ph; Buglasan Festival, Province of Lanao del Norte, Tubod, Lanao del Norte Tourism, and Philippine News Agency Facebook pages