Night and Day

 “We live each day, every hour, every moment going up and down the mountains of life…”

As I write this inside the MIP Lounge, awaiting another visit from our President, I pondered upon the past days and weeks.

It seems that our nation is never spared from the life-stopping effects of typhoons and the investigations of things gone wrong. It took World War II or a toppling of a dictator to put us together, and then, it always comes back to the chaos of disunity. It is no wonder we are always subjected to never ending catastrophes, for these are what unites us. I remember a time just after a big storm and another stronger one threatening to unleash its wrath towards a worse destruction, there was a barrage of texts and encouragements for all to pray and prepare. The typhoon never came, for we were united in purpose.

And so it is with our individual lives. We experience problems of sickness or the passing away of a member of the family, of broken relationships and irritating distractions, of being far away because of work and not being able to be with our loved ones. It is easy to say that “what matters in life is not who or what is right, but how we relate with one another,” for we know that this is true; but it is truly hard to apply this every single moment. But this is the only way to do it.

Managing an airport is a great challenge! It is about leading and making people work together. It is a never-ending process of attaining the highest standards of service brought about by a perfect synergy of technical and management competences.

So far, we have reached 70 international flights a week and two airlines are flying to Shanghai now: China Eastern and Shanghai Airlines. In addition, more Mandarin Air flights to Taiwan are coming. It appears that the recent exchange of flights between Taiwan and the Mainland will ultimately benefit Mactan.

We are also proud to say that of the six airlines which were awarded with 5-Star in Services by Skytrax, four fly to Mactan: Asiana, Cathay, Qatar and Malaysian. The other two are King Fisher of India and Singapore Air, of which, its subsidiary, Silk Air, also flies to Mactan.

In the domestic front, we have also reached the highest of 291 flights weekly. This was the result of three PAL Express Q300/400s starting its hub operations in June. By August, the maximum of four Q400s will be operating out of our hub, in addition to the transient Q300s. We also anticipate more Cebu Pacific ATRs and Airbus jets, as delivery schedules are met.

Because of the Turbo prop operations, we have started using the bus rooms (Lounges 7 and 8) of the Domestic Terminal. Out of the seven passenger lounges, we are now using all except Lounge 6 at the International Terminal. We anticipate its use when more Low Cost Carrier flights come.

One exciting aspect of being in the airport everyday is meeting many interesting and distinguished personalities. My wife and I love to listen to music of the 60s through the 70s. Notable groups like America and the Cascades passed by the Airport Terminal the past months. I also met Pat Upton, lead singer and composer of the Spiral Starecase, when he was here with promoter and disc jockey, Renen De Guia two weeks ago.

The MIP Lounge has been the center of distinction at the airport many times, for this is where the more important political personalities meet to see and send off the President of the Philippines, as well as heads and dignitaries of other countries or multi-national corporations. This is also a facility that the Presidential Management Staff, MCIAA and the Air Force all jointly operate.

Taking about the Air Force, it is a first in its history that the anniversary rites this year was held here at Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base. Being one of the three important parts of the airport team, we consider its activities very important to all of us. The Air Force is now 61. I make it a point to attend the Retirees Day of the PAF. The multi-awarded Air Force Band combined its marching component with a fixed symphonic percussion unit, an airwomen artistic dance group and the silent drill flights in Air Force uniforms from the past to the present. The Band played a selection of songs that marked the eras of the late 40s to the present. With the support of the present Commanding General, Lt Gen Pete Cadungog, we shall bring this Band to Cebu.

The President has just arrived and after passing through the military and formal reception line at the airport, has gone to Malacanang sa Sugbo to continue on to her next schedule.

The Airport goes through its own life and processes every day for 24 hours. Its men and women carry on their own duties and responsibilities as people of different places and culture go through its facilities, sharing and caring for the persons they love, and fly on to every place the airplanes can bring them – in the end we all come full circle – back to where we were and want to be.

* * *

E-mail:   [email protected]