Friday, June 06, 2008 Speak out: For Cebu Pacific By Benjie Pilapil
NEVER has an airline in the Philippines given the traveling public such a great travel deal.
When I first moved to Bangkok some five years ago to take up my post here with a multinational corporation, a round trip ticket from Manila to Bangkok was P35,000.
Today, after Cebu Pacific serviced this route, I pay an average of just P15,000.
Not only can I go back more often to visit my family, I was even able to bring my parents and sister for a visit to Bangkok for a vacation on fare that was only P5,500 (inclusive of surcharges and taxes) just last month!
Living in Bangkok, we are exposed to more low cost carriers and provided more deals by other low cost carriers led by Air Asia. The offers are exciting and weekend trips are becoming more for the Thais.
I have, in my office, a staff of around 50 people. When I first came here in 2003, none of them ever visited the Philippines.
Today, twelve of them have had marvelous vacations in the Philippines, some with their families---thanks to Cebu Pacific making it all affordable for us migrant workers and tourists.
I am, therefore, unable to comprehend the hue and cry of some of your readers and columnists who simply do not have any idea whatsoever about what this Filipino carrier is doing for the majority of the citizens.
I have flown not less than 12 times with Cebu Pacific and only once did I encounter any undue delay or a not so pleasant incident.
Maybe I fully understand what a low cost carrier is expected to provide; maybe I check in every time early and on time; maybe I don't fall asleep while my flight is being called; maybe I am a less demanding person or maybe I like the new planes with fares that are irresistible.
Sure, I fancy traveling first class on Singapore Airlines or even Philippine Airlines but until I have attained that financial stature, I am happy with Cebu Pacific and of it being Filipino.
