CEBU, Philippines - On December 6, Cathay Pacific Airways will be celebrating 20 years of connecting Cebu to Hong Kong and to the other Cathay destinations worldwide.
As early as June this year, various initiatives were carried out to lead up to this special date and as it comes closer, even more exciting things are planned to celebrate this milestone.
The first one is a photo exhibit at the SM Northwing that runs from Dec 1-6. The photos showcase Cathay Pacific in action over their 20 years in Cebu, and brings to the forefront, its staff’s dedication and commitment to provide the airline’s brand of “service straight from the heart.”
The exhibit will also include a booth where anyone interested can learn about Asia Miles, the airline’s Lifestyle Reward Programme. Everyone who signs up for free membership at this booth will get premium items from Asia Miles such as pens and expandable shopping bags.
On Dec 6, the actual date of the anniversary, festivities at the Mactan Cebu International airport will usher in the anniversary flight and its passengers. As for the send-off, all passengers who fly out on that date will get souvenir items specially prepared for the occasion.
There are also special promotional fares for passengers who buy their tickets during the 20th anniversary week (Dec 1-7). These fares start from as low as US$ 160 to Hong Kong! Various other destinations such as Australia, Seoul, and Japan will be on sale and can be booked at the Cathay Pacific office or through the airline’s website www.cathaypcific.ph or through the travel agents.
Giving back
As an airline based in Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific has always strived to establish a strong bond between Hong Kong and Cebu. It has been their privilege to work closely with the community in Cebu and a privilege to be able to give back, as well.
Even before the word CSR was a byword in the corporate world, Cathay Pacific has been contributing to Cebu through its many projects.
These projects included a wide range of activities, from donating water pumps and wells to underprivileged communities to ensure safe drinking water, refurbishing the classrooms at the Southern Islands school for the disabled, and bringing Christmas cheer through children’s parties to the orphans in the Mother Teresa Orphanage in Labangon as well as to the orphanage in Sibonga.
Most recently, the airline became a corporate member of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), and have been working with them on a number of projects that involve their staff in Cebu, including tree planting in the hills of Cantipla and mangrove planting in Olango.
Po-o Elemetary school on Olango island has become a “pet project” for them. In 2011, they helped refurbish the elementary school by donating materials to re-do the roof and paint the walls of the Grade 3 classrooms.
They also organized an art workshop for the elementary kids, culminating in an art contest with 2 themes: Sa Hangin Naglupad and Pasko sa Olango. Winning pieces from the art contest were used to print greeting cards which are currently for sale. Proceeds will go back to improving the facilities at the school.
This year, as part of its 20th Anniversary celebration, Cathay Pacific will help build a library at the Po-o Elementary School. They envision this as place for the kids not only to read and learn, but also to have fun while doing it. Thus, books, personal computers, and even a sports equipment area are part of the plan.
The Cathay Pacific Charitable Fund, a head office charity initiative created for such purposes, was tapped for funding and contributed through a grant of HKD20,000. Cathay Cebu is hoping to use this as seed fund to generate more contributions from local partners so that they can proceed with the ground breaking soon, and work to fulfill the project in the coming years. (FREEMAN)