Sunday, November 04, 2007 Tulabut: Homecoming: PR 103 By Noel G. Tulabut My Palm Notes
SOMEWHERE over the Pacific Ocean (via Comclark) -- with barely 45 minutes before touchdown at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, this weary body could no longer find time to sleep.
Probably because of the in-flight coffee and commotion and probably because the six-hour sleep I had from Los Angeles en route to Manila with Guam technical stopover.
Philippine Airlines flight PR 103 took its ordinary course. With heavy payload of luggage, cargo and full passengers, it had to take that refueling and lavatory clean-up in Guam.
Check-in at PAL counter in LAX was not a breeze as the flight was sold-out. I was passenger 380-something said the Filipina lady that processed this return trip. That left me with no choice but a seat in the middle. I requested for a seat near the emergency exit so I could have wider leg room. That was turned down. So was my request for an aisle seat.
I also did not take my designated seat as the flight stewardess requested me to move somewhere so an elderly could take a better seat next to her escort-kin. I was actually a second person to be asked to do that since the first one - a middle aged woman -- refused to budge.
It is usually this way with PAL flights to Manila. There is always a long line of senior citizens either in wheelchair or on walkers. I admire their courage and fainting strength to take a grueling flight just to be home with their loved ones.
Other "elderly" on the other hand - still physically strong as they appear to me - take advantage of wheelchair service from check in to deplaning just to avoid long lines at counters and to be seated at choice seats in the plane. They feign of weakness when all I can surmise in them is probably a painful in-grown toe nails. Well, yan ang pinoy.
PR 103 cabin crew were not the ideal all-smiles-all-the-time as one would probably see in posters. But I would say they were fair, responding on an on-request basis, say if you want a glass of water or cup of coffee.
What I found to be sort of hilarious, if not blackmailing, was one announcement over the cabin's public address system. While in Guam for a stopover, a lady crew requested passengers to refrain from using the lavatories for 10 minutes to have them all get cleaned up.
Now, there was nothing wrong with the request per se. What I found to be absurd was a statement that followed, saying "so that we could leave soonest and arrive early."
In Pilipino (as crew makes announcements in English and Pilipino as SOP), it even sounded worse: "para po mabilis tayong makaalis dito at makarating sa ating pupuntahan," something along that line.
Hearing that, I told my seatmate who is an anesthesiologist at the Philippine General Hospital. And he agreed at my observation that the announcement was something had a hey-cooperate-or-else tone.
Well, who was not in a hurry to be home? And who did not need to use a little comfort from the long haul from Los Angeles? The announcement should have been more polite.
***
As a wrap-up of my third media coverage at the United Nations since 2005, I would just like to thank people who made my trip more convenient and filled with nice memories.
Topping the list are the Catos: mentor and former boss Elmer and wife Melanie, who are blessed with two wonderful kids Eyron and Elize. Their house helps Mina and Neneng have always been so good to me too, not wanting me to skip any meal. Tatang Emer and wife Mama Lou who have also been so accommodating to this stranger.
Former CDC officemates Gerald Grageda and wife Maureen in New Jersey. They are blessed too with a very kind daughter Kayla. Lawyer Marie Eugenie Yap who treated me to a sumptuous Thai food. Our former secretary Iris Cortez David, her hubby Allan and my inaanak Jean - you have been so good to me, with Allan extricating from work just to make sure I was doing fine.
Alex Gomez and wife Hoan - such a supportive friend! Alex arranged all my domestic US flights with United Airlines where he works. Without this, I would not have made it to the East Coast and back. You are just so highly appreciated Alex.
College buddy Marnie Chan who is now a nurse in Long Beach . The very kind Teddy Gutierrez, wife Ruth Sanchez and their kids Maemae and Naenae - wow, what more can I say of their superb friendship and assistance.
My family Anet, Allyson and Allysa. My brother Gress and wife Ruth, kids Margie, Merial and Phil in San Diego. Thanks for your understanding that I had to make this trip as part of shaping my career as a journalist. Thanks too for your unwavering support. Oh yes, my cousin Edwin Tulabut too and barriomate Bong Ocampo, who, from their northern California homes made me feel secure.
Lastly, my Palm after whom this column was titled. You have been so dependable and how could I ever be without you. You just complete me and how I always need you noh.
To all of you, may God return by a hundredfold what you have given me and my family.
