Tuesday, March 18, 2008 Espina: 'It's about experience' with PAL By Mila C. Espina in my diary
YES, travel will be much more fabulous and comfortable in the years to come. The good news came from no less than Jaime Bautista, Ceo, Philippine Airlines (PAL), who had lunch with the Cebu media at the Laguna Garden last week. With PAL being over with its rehabilitation program, our national flag carrier looks forward to more aircraft, destinations, and better service. “That’s a promise,” quipped Rolly Estabillo, the bubbly VP-corporate communication of PAL.
So, what’s in store for us? With its strong fleet, PAL adds more, four or five Airbus 320 from April to November (156 economy seats and 12 business), and five more target for 2011-2012, to include two Bombardier Q-300 and six Boeng 777-300. Moreover, for long haul travel, PAL gears toward non-stop Manila-US flights, and, it is hoped, a Cebu-Korea-US (Los Angeles) destination all in good time. In March, PAL had its maiden flight to Chong Ching, China, which will go on a twice a week schedule.
Soon. trips to Beijing will be augmented in time for the Olympics and the same goes to Singapore and Jakarta. These sweeping announcements will be given more details as soon as everything is finalized, said Bautista. As it is, the projects are already programmed. Barazel "Bob" Salazar, AVP-Visayas, said that what is definite is PAL's continuous effort to upgrade its services.
Their performance levels are 90 percent for international and close to 95 percent in domestic. All these are due to a well-balanced team building, high morale, a healthy labor-management relations and coordinated networking of information. Passenger manager Chris Lebumfacil described the new PAL experience as more than just having a pleasurable journey because of the upcoming refurbishing of the plane interiors, the audio-video-in-demand which gives you entertainment at your back and call, improved food on flight, more comfortable seats in both domestic and international flights. and rich reading materials.
The ever affable Jun Canton, sales/service manager, worked hard to make us all leave our office work to be with the PAL key players who gave us a real warm reception. In my case, I was extra happy because I had the chance to personally invite Bautista to be one of our speakers during the 2008 CCCCI-CBM Tourism Congress, through the help of Chris and Salazar. CBM chairperson Tess Chan and the whole CBM team would like to highlight the Philippine Airlines as one good example of enduring commitment to tourism.
VISIT MARCO POLO DAVAO
We were at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel Cebu for the appreciation dinner of Marco Polo Plaza Davao. There, too, were some friends, Cecille Saa, Jenny Franco, Divine Ngujo, Jerry Intig, Richard Ramos, Marisol Baria and, of course, Charles Lim, who coordinated the event. The director of sales and marketing, Art Boncato Jr. told me that our CCCI Tourism team should go the Davao to talk to our counterparts about the CBM. It seemed like a great idea. GM Stanley Lau gave us an interesting update about the hotel: 245 exquisite rooms with beautiful view of the scenic Mt. Apo and the Gulf of Davao; the stylish Continental Club, a 24-hour business center with a wide range of services; conference facilities; a fitness center and restaurants and bars. Our dinner was a sampling of what Marco Polo Davao offers. Who knows, we might just plan a CBM marketing blitz there any time in May.
HAPPENINGS
Last Saturday, Nokia conducted a new movement “filled with passion, style and substance” as eight of Cebu’s passionate icons emerged gloriously on centerstage. This was one fabulous affair of the year.nokia Movement Of Eight. More on this in my next article. Also, last Saturday, the Filipinas Ahora Mismo, the only program on the Philippines airwaves was launched by the Asociacion De La Prensa De Cadiz.
One fabulous event was the Qatar musical soiree at the Shangri-la. We had lunch with Les Amis De La France at Pino and a two-day exhibit at the Turismo Job Fair at SM Trade Hall. Marilou Ordonez is busy finalizing the religious pilgrimage of Delmar this holy week. Again, we greet Delmar on its 30th year in the travel industry.
WEDDING BELLS
The Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral will be the setting of the wedding of Mark Lester, son of Felix and Marilyn Guanzon, and Christianne, daughter of Corazon Sebastian, at 3 p.m., Friday, Mar. 28. It has an impressive line –up of sponsors led by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Governor Gwen Garcia, Secretary Alberto Romulo and Secretary Cerge Remonde, DFA Usec Francisco Benedicto, Mayor and Mrs. Ramonito Durano 111, Consul Antonio Chiu, Edmund and Judy Gaisano, Margarita V. Osmena, Winglip Chang and other prominent personalities.
The USJ-R Lyre will sing at the Holy Mass. Reception follows at the Cebu Grand Convention Center. My Wecare colleague Ramon Sebastian is very excited about the wedding and has been helping a lot to make the occasion very special. He will be hosting a pre-wedding dinner at the Casino Español for relatives on Mar. 27.
BUILDING SELF-CONFIDENCE
The annual summer sessions on communication skills for all levels of learning reel off on April 15-29. This is Speechcom International’s 33rd year of extending its expertise in speech, public speaking, voice power, social graces, rhetorics and singing/choreography to help develop self-confidence and creativity.
The morning sessions are for kinder, nursery and grades 1-6 while afternoon sessions are for the high school students.
I have always enjoyed seeing our youth transform into good communicators all these years.
Parents should really start them young with consistent practice in speaking the English language enriched with poise and presence.
