The Manila Post Office on November 5, 2024. The building was razed in a fire for 30 hours last May 21, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Before dawn on May 22, 2023, Mary Anne Lopez arrived at the Manila Central Post Office (MCPO), unaware that a massive fire had struck her workplace. She watched in disbelief as the historic building was consumed by the inferno.

"Noong nasunog 'yan, pagbaba ko ng sasakyan, doon sa may fountain? Talagang sabi ko, 'Buong-buo talaga na nasusunog na siya.' Nakatitig lang. Titig lang talaga. Ay, wala na?" said Lopez, who has been a Philippine Postal Corp. (PHLPost) employee for 30 years.

(When that burned, as soon as I got off the vehicle by the fountain, I said, 'It's completely burning down.' I just stared. I kept staring and said, 'Is it really gone?')

The blaze started Sunday night, hours before Lopez arrived. The fire was so large that all available firetrucks in Metro Manila rushed to put it out, yet it gutted almost the entire building. It took firefighters more than a day to fully extinguish the flames.

This was not the first time that the iconic building was hit by disaster. 

During the Battle of Manila in February 1945, American troops bombarded the neoclassical structure, which the Imperial Japanese Army was using as a base at the time, with heavy artillery fire.

Rebuilding began in 1946 and the post office has since become an important historical landmark.

The government declared it a cultural property in 2018.

Inside the fire-gutted Manila Post Office on November 5, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Brenda Zandua, postmaster for Mandaluyong Post Office. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

'SECOND HOME'

More than seven decades after the war, the building caught fire again, leaving those working inside it longing for its return.

"Nami-miss ko 'yung tuwing may okasyon, diyan ginagawa. Basta ang saya-saya namin, kahit lumang building na siya. Sama-sama kami, para kaming magkakapatid," said 59-year-old postmaster Brenda Zandua.

(I miss how, during occasions, we would gather there. We were so happy, even though the building was old. We were together, like siblings.)

She said seeing the burned post office makes her sad and wistful for the memories of PHLPost anniversaries and other events held there.

"Ando'n kaming lahat, masaya (We would all be there and happy)," she added.

Paul Alzona, a marketing officer at PHLPost who watched the fire in an online livestream, considered the building his second home.

He admitted feeling "at a loss" after the disaster and expressed worry for their future.

Inside the Manila Post Office on November 5, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Inside the Manila Post Office on November 5, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

CHALLENGES AFTER FIRE

The massive fire did not lead to layoffs but most employees were relocated to different postal branches in Metro Manila, while some worked in cramped tents outside the burned building to keep postal operations going.

The employees were exposed to dust and pollution for months and had to make do with donated portable toilets.

Amid the challenges, Zandua, the postmaster, took it to heart to help. She recalled instances when she and her coworkers pooled money for food and other emergency expenses.

"Kaming mga postmaster na mismo ang gumagawa ng paraan, iniintindi na lang namin 'yung kalagayan namin. Kung ano 'yung maitulong, ipadala namin, mga sobrang chairs, mga tables, electric fans. May magamit lang sila pansamantala," Zandua said.

(We postmasters ourselves looked for ways to move forward. Whatever we can give, we send over — extra chairs, tables, electric fans — just so they have something to use temporarily.)

"Kahit ganiyan lang ‘yan, kumbaga 'yung post office ang nagpapakain sa amin, nagpapasahod sa amin, diyan galing lahat. Post office ang bumuhay sa amin. Paano kung hindi na nila kami kayang pasahurin? Paano na kami? Saan na kami pupunta eh matanda na kami. Mag-aaply pa? Sino pa'ng kukuha sa amin?" said the 59-year-old Zandua.

(Even though it’s like that, the post office feeds us, pays our salaries—that’s where everything comes from. The post office has sustained us. What if they can no longer pay us? What will happen to us? Where will we go? We’re already old. Apply somewhere else? Who would still hire us?)

Inside the fire-ravaged Manila Central Post Office on November 5, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

RISE FROM THE ASHES

On November 5, Postmaster General Luis Carlos announced the P1.5-billion restoration project for the historic building.

Once restored — by 2026, according to the plans — the building will become part of the tourism circuit in Manila, he said.

The relatively good news of its rebuilding was met with partial smiles, especially from loyal employees.

They currently work in the newly renovated Annex building, just across from their old office.

"Kahit sinong postal employee lalo na kung diyan ka na-assign, gusto mong bumalik 'yung building na 'yan, maging usable ulit," said Alzona, the marketing officer.

(Any postal employee, especially if you've been assigned there, would want that building to be restored, to be usable again.)

PHLPost announces improved Postal ID: What’s new and how to get one

The renovated Annex building has built-in water pipes and sprinklers to reduce the risk of fire incidents. The management also conducts yearly fire and earthquake prevention drills.

Postmaster Zandua hopes the post office, once restored, will be resistant to fires.

"Pag na-renovate, ie-expect namin na maibalik 'yung dati. Parang hindi na babaguhin, pagagandahin siya. Maibalik 'yung dati, kagaya nung dati niyang imahe, parang walang nangyari," she also said.

(Once the renovations are done, we expect it to look as before. No additions or improvements, just the post office as it always had been)

The Manila Post Office on November 5, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News