Philippine Airlines presents crewmembers who flew pope

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Airlines yesterday presented to the media the members of the crew that manned Shepherd One which flew Pope Francis to Tacloban City and then to the Vatican in Rome in the past week.

Captains Roland Narciso and George Alvarez were at the controls of the Airbus A320 which flew the pope to and from Tacloban City last Jan. 17.

The crewmembers included flight purser Carol Uy, flight attendants Maria Elvina Reyes, Elsa Yuzon, Ma. Ana Alvarez and Angelo Chingcuangco.

On the other hand, PAL vice president for operations Manuel Antonio Tamayo led the team that flew Pope Francis to Ciampino airport in Rome last Jan. 19.

Also at the controls were Capt. Ruel Isaac as well as first officers Wilfredo Valencia and Anthony Atendido.

Members of the crew were led by flight purser Jeanette Perez, Millicent Reyes, Jan Mara Corteza, Francis Aduna, Michael Macaraeg, Ruby Carlo Manzano, Rowena Clemente, Jacquiline Burgos, Evangeline Recio, Lorenza Sarza and Aryc Obeso.

Tamayo said he had served three Philippine presidents but this is the first time that he has flown the head of the Catholic church.

“Now I can proudly tell my grandchildren that I served Pope Francis,” he said.

Meanwhile, PAL manager for in-flight food standards Maria Criselda Rayos said that Pope Francis loved the chicken arroz caldo and dinuguan that was served during the flight to Rome.  – With Rudy Santos