Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Click the image to view more photos.
It is said that in Cebu, bird-watching is one of the reasons why photographers “flock” the island of Olango. However, its neighboring historical island of Mactan has a different kind of photographers or enthusiasts that takes photos of a different kind of birds, one that is man’s greatest achievements—the aircraft. And just yesterday, the “plane-spotters” visited the country’s second busiest airport to get a glimpse of the birds’ beauty in this resort city.
Manila Domestic Terminal, now NAIA Terminal 4
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) of Manila’s Terminal 4 is better known to locals as “Domestic Airport” or “Domestic Terminal.” It is located at the end of Runway 13.
Back in the 1990s, it served majority of Philippine Airlines’ domestic flights. Then after the deregulation came, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, and others that called it home. When PAL moved out, it became NAIA’s main domestic terminal for non-PAL flights. When the budget carrier trend went on full force, the terminal wasn’t able to cope up with the increasing passengers. Then when NAIA Terminal 3 opened, Cebu Pacific and AirPhil moved out. Today, Zest Air (formerly Asian Spirit), SeAir-Tiger Airways, and other airlines make this their home. Terminal 4 is better known to be the hub for island getaway flights such as Boracay, El Nido, and even Batanes.
NAIA Terminal 3 Check-In Lobby. Stage
Di na ako makikisabay sa trending topic about the recent “Thrilla in NAIA” by Mon Tulfo and Claudine and Raymart Santiago which I guess a lot of blogs, forums, and in social media, are talking about. Anyway, the airport is a place where stress levels may go up. I have one experience, but at least managed to control myself and didn’t go barbaric. But I was a bit tense, since it was my first time.
The departure screen
I always show up at the airport, either 2 hours before the departing time (or even way earlier) or an hour before the flight if I’m done web check-in. It’s a contest of getting the best seat on the plane (always on window please, Alpha or Fox Trot). It was just recent when I started using seat selector, but not on all flights. But the morning of April 20th in Manila’s NAIA Terminal 3, something came in. It was my first time…and it wasn’t a pleasant one. My first late check-in. The first time I was left by my flight!
Roxas City Airport
Roxas City Airport perhaps this is one of the easiest airports when it comes to accessibility, since it is only 2 kilometers out of downtown. Roxas City Airport serves as the main gateway for the province of Capiz in northern Panay Island and north-eastern Iloilo as well. There are daily flights in and out of Roxas to Manila, Philippines’ capital.
In the mid-1990s, the General Santos City experienced boom in investments, most especially in infrastructure. Foreign-aid multi-million dollar projects such as the road network, a world class container port and fish port were just some of the infrastructures that were given to the southernmost city of the Philippines. General Santos City International Airport has been one of the largest projects that were made in south-central Mindanao. It has the longest runway in entire Mindanao, third longest in the country—with a span of 3.2 kilometers. It can accommodate large aircraft such as Boeing 747 or Airbus A380.
Finally! Thank goodness Philippine Airlines (PAL) has a new flight safety instruction video! Yes, they are finally replacing that decade old, “telenovela-ish” and seemingly obsolete flight safety instruction video that PAL has been using on its flights.
Synchronized PAL's Flight Attendants, hehe!
Produced by Ambient Media (the same people behind the movie “RPG Metanoia”) and directed by Ianco dela Cruz, PAL’s new flight safety instruction video deviates from the usual boring routine that the flight attendants must perform (or inform to the passengers). Adding humor, creativity, the use of CGI special effects has given a lighter tone for a serious ritual before the flight.
Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (Clark), Pampanga
It was my first time using Diosdado Macapagal International Airport or more known as Clark International Airport (IATA: CRK) on my flight back from Cebú from Sinulog Festival. The first question of a first timer commuter is: How do I get out of the airport? I have been here a few years ago, but just until the waiting area. We walked from CM Recto Highway (near UP Pampanga) and it was a bit far from the airport terminal itself. Given the time constraint (I have work at Manila by 11PM, I arrived Clark at 7PM and Manila is almost a hundred kilometers away!) I have to leave as soon as possible. Now here are some of the options on how to get out of Clark Airport and head on to Angeles or Manila:
Sometime last Friday or Saturday, while I was surfing the net for aviation videos (I’m an avid fan of aviation, hehe!) on Youtube, I stumbled on this flight safety instruction procedure by the dancing flight attendants of Cebu Pacific Air here in my beloved Philippines. Well, instead of the usual boring and ho-hum safety instructions that has been like a ritual every flight for both passengers and FAs, it really caught my attention when I heard Lady Gaga over the PA and these FAs just started to dance!
