"Concorde’s return to service attests to our confidence in the future of Air France and the aviation industry," said Jean-Cyril Spinetta, Air France’s magnum chairman. "Throughout the world, the airline industry has been severely affected by the tragic events of Sept. 11 and their repercussions. Concorde’s return to New York is symbolic of Air France’s tribute to the people of the city, to their strength and strong resolve to rebuild. Within our own ranks, we have not forgotten the show of sympathy and support of many New Yorkers in the hours and days following the Concorde accident on July 25, 2000."
In moi favorite US city, New York’s well-loved and respected Mayor Rudolph Giuliani welcomed the Concorde’s return. "It is symbolic of how New Yorkers feel about rebuilding this great city," he said. "I am personally proud to welcome the Concorde."
Starting this month, palanggas, the one of a kind, sleek Concorde will fly from Paris to New York, marking the re-launch of supersonic travel along this route. It will have five weekly flights every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
This new schedule offers greater convenience for passengers. Departure from Paris’ beautiful Charles de Gaulle Airport is at 10:30 a.m. and arrival at the John F. Kennedy International Airport is at 8:25 a.m. local time, would you believe? If you think about it, palanggas, you will arrive earlier than when you left. Now, that’s what I call fantastic! Believe me, it’s a strange and funny feeling to have left Europe when it was almost lunch time and to arrive in New York just in time for breakfast!
This early morning arrival also offers passengers numerous connections throughout North and South America, and minimizes waiting time at customs and immigration.
The flight we took to and from New York took around three hours (would you believe?). We flew at 64,000 feet way up in the clear blue skies without a single bump from turbulence which does not occur at that level. And you can actually see the curvature of the earth from up there! This was a thrill moi will never forget.
For its return flight, the Concorde leaves New York at 8 a.m. and lands at Charles de Gaulle at 5:45 p.m. It offers a choice of 80 connections to major cities in France and Europe, thanks to the efficiency of the unique Air France hub.
Both on board and on the ground, dahlings, Concorde customers will rediscover the gracious welcome and stylish service the Concorde has been known for.
Passengers can select seats from a seat map, dahlings. Concorde passengers at both Charles de Gaulle and JFK may check in up to 45 minutes before flight departure, unlike the three-hour check-in imposed worldwide on other flights.
Baggage is totally protected with a plastic covering so as not to get damaged during handling. It is easily identified by Concorde-logo baggage tags.
The I’Espace airside lounge in Terminal 2A at Charles de Gaulle, surrounded by bay windows, consists of elegantly decorated exclusive lounges. These are situated very close to where a Concorde is parked and allows passengers a full view of the plane’s streamlined design. It also has a direct access to the aircraft.
At the newly "face-lifted" Kennedy Airport, palanggas, a courtesy limousine service is available for Concorde passengers to take them to their hotel or meeting place. In Paris, a courtesy taxi service between Charles de Gaulle and Orly Airports is offered to each passenger. All these are for free, mind you.
Now you may ask – who travels on Concorde these days? Well, for those who are not in the know, two-thirds of Concorde passengers travel on business. Eighty percent of these are men and 20 percent are women, mostly movie stars, models, celebrities and jetsetters. Americans make up 50 percent of the passengers and Europeans, 48 percent. Of these, two-thirds reside in France. Fifty two percent of Concorde travelers, meanwhile, are connecting passengers.
Finally, palanggas, Concorde customers are loyal and frequent travelers who fly an average of four times a year on the Air France supersonic jet. Some passengers travel on Concorde almost every month.
From Cosmo Manille, you’d be surprised to learn who travels on the Concorde. But my lips are sealed on this one out of respect for their privacy, dahlings.
Let me tell you – once you’ve flown on the Concorde, from your check-in to your arrival, nothing (and I mean, nothing!) can compare with it. It’s the ultimate in traveling, palanggas.
For inquiries, do call Air France at tel. no. 887-7587; fax no. 887-7598, or your favorite travel agent.
The guests were led by the amiable and super popular Rep. Gabrielle Calizo and well-respected Gov. Florencio Miraflores. The new provincial leaders revealed their stance to preserve, protect and promote Aklan’s tourism industry with Boracay as the anchor destination.
The roster of namedroppable guests included Vice Gov. Jean Rodriguez; the Hon. Juan Sanchez, Mayor of Lubang, Mindoro, who is married to an Aklanon; and outgoing Rep. Allen Quimpo, whose three-year term as provincial leader was instrumental in putting Aklan, particularly Boracay, in the world’s spotlight.
The Aklanons, palanggas, were in their most partying mood during the fun bash superbly organized by the Archbishop Gabriel M. Reyes Memorial Foundation, Inc. (AGMRMFI) led by its incumbent president and chairman Victor Conanan.
Among the hotshot invitees who took time out to party were Commissioner Albert Quimpo; venerable Judge Cesar Santamaria; good-looking Col. Jolly Mabanta and his tres vivacious wife, Gigi M., the workasonic country manager of the popular Louis Vuitton; Boracay Resort operator Emer Ibabao; and one of Aklan’s very own persona, the Dean of PR, Edd Fuentes of the tres popular Fuentes Publicity.
Clearly having a great time, palanggas, were Katipunan de los Reyes; Eddie Lauz; Boy Mabasa; Pepe Peralta; Augusto Isberto; Anthony Acevedo; Nick Marte; and the fun gang of Carmen Conanan, Lulu Miraflores and Fenny de los Reyes.
The event’s highlight came when Rep. Calizo delivered her pledge "to position Boracay as a world-class destination, while at the same time preserving the island’s resources and environment." She added that after the Boracay Development Masterplan has been laid out and implemented, Boracay will more than ever be ready to become a part of the global community.
Gov. Florencio Miraflores likewise vowed to lend his full support, especially since his very own brainchild – to have an international airport in Kalibo, Aklan – will come to fruition. Along with this major undertaking, the local government will boost the province’s progress by improving its roads, seaports and water systems, as Aklan enters a new phase as a major international hub.
Naturellement, agriculture will not be ticked off from the province’s list of priorities, as this remains the bread and butter of native Aklanons. Modern farming methods, palanggas, will be introduced and vast irrigation will also be put into place. As we all know, Aklan is the prime source of the best piña fiber in the country, if not the whole world!
The Testimonial Dinner, palanggas, was just one of the pet projects of AGMRMFI, an organization of Aklan-born civic and social figures. Over the years, the foundation has been involved in several charities for the benefit of Aklan. It was also responsible for the reconstruction and restoration of the Aklan Museum and the eye-catching Kalibo Basilica.
It definitely was a great night where Aklanons didn’t blacken their faces or dance in the streets but instead stepped out in their most elegant outfits, palanggas.
A jungle comes alive
Hutu’s Hut, the tribal village theme bar and resto along Kalayaan Ave., dahlings, hosted its smashing launch simply called, "Welcome to the Jungle."
Designer Miguel Rosales weaved his magic on Hutu’s African-inspired interiors and made it even wilder, palanggas, by transforming the place into a virtual safari.
The invitees who breezed in through a billowing white tent were greeted with the traditional Hutu’s Hut welcome chant and tribal dance. Once inside, they were ushered by hard-bodied models in Tarzan and Jane outfits.
Most of the invitees were dressed in animal prints, which was certainly the theme of the night (just ask the huge, slithering python that nearly stole the show!). The resto was decked out in "animal" skins inspired by the creatures of the African jungle.
The hottest names that night were definitely Sen. Frank Drilon and his wife, feminine beauty Mila D.; popular couple Sen. Manny Villar and his wife, Rep. Cynthia V.; and Sen. Loren Legarda-Leviste and her husband Tony L. who ceremonially tossed rose petals and coins in a solemn "benediction" to ensure Hutu’s good fortune.
Dinner was held at the ground floor for the hotshot invitees featuring Hutu’s talked-about fusion, a yummy mix of Eastern and Western cuisine. The wild Puro Ritmo electrified the air with their pulsating Afro-Cuban music.
On the second floor at Hutu’s terrific function room, dahlings, three outrageously garbed drag queens performed song-and-dance numbers that conclusively proved that not all untamed animals are found in the wild. DJ icon Manolet Dario and David Jacob then took over, pumping out their patented vital beats.
The mood was electric, thanks in large part to the wide-open bar and the inhibition-busting vodka jello shots passed around.
Hutu’s Hut proud owner Philip Pastoral and PR gent Tim Yap held court as they welcomed our town’s partying pack. Jungle-fever hit such personas as Andy and Tereret Liboro; beautiful couple Ronnie and Gilda Salonga; Abe and Nini Licaros; and Jun and Nene Leonor.
Fortune Ledesma; Evie Costa; our palangga, Justa Tantoco; UNIFEM working socialite Olga Martel; and King of the Night Life Louie Ysmael were amused as they watched the whole jungle scene, palanggas.
Moi also zoomed in on Mike and Martin Litton; eligible tomcats Paolo Prieto and David Jacob; Mae Young; Metro’s Freida Dario; young photo bug on the move, Pepper Teehankee; Cosmopolitan’s Paula Nocom; adorable Maritina Romulo; Mega’s Liza with an "L" Ilarde and well-liked hubby Elbert Cuenca; Meg’s Pierra Calasanz; DJ Montano; and Raymart Santiago.
Hutu’s Hut jungle is definitely a one of a kind bar cum resto with an ambiance that makes one feel relaxed apres (as in, after) a Safari hunt in South Africa.
Check it out, palanggas. It is certainly different.
Well, it’s back to the salt mines until the holiday seasons of December begins. In the mean time, palanggas, stay happy.
See you.