Jaime Bautista: Our aim is for PAL to be five-star in five years

MANILA, Philippines - Jaime J, Bautista has the sharpness and vision of a corporate dynamo, the sophisticated refinement of a diplomat,and  the humility of a dedicated workaholic. Having spent the best years of his life with Philippine Airlines, Bautista breathes PAL, thinks PAL and lives PAL. This former SGV man has got what it takes to make Philippine Airlines soar higher.It was a pleasure sitting down with this executive who always remains cool, to ask him about life, not mainly as PAL president, but as passenger and fellow traveler

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PHILIPPINE STAR: You have been with PAL for 20 years, and you have been working for a total of 35 years closely with Lucio Tan, who is an iconic, self-made taipan. What lessons have you learned from him?

JAIME BAUTISTA: I learned the value of hard work from Mr. Lucio Tan. Every day is a working day for him. Every time he comes up with an idea, he calls me up no matter what time of day. He is also very trusting, so I try my best to be worthy of such trust.

This inaugural flight to Auckland has been so exciting and memorable. What memories do you have of other inaugural flights of PAL?

Yes, the inaugural flight to New Zealand has been memorable for the warm welcome extended to us upon arrival. Literally quite touching was the hongi, the traditional forehead-to-forehead, nose-to-nose Maori greeting at the airport.

Also touching was our inaugural flight to New York last March, when a pioneer cabin crewmember, Rebecca Santos, now in her 90s, joined us in the program. She brought in some nostalgia to our event.

I also remember that our inaugural flight to Nagoya in December 2014 was welcomed by the Japanese with colorful shows and we all happily drank sake!

And what has been your most memorable flight with PAL? Have you had an encounter with a passenger you can’t forget?

I surely can’t forget Shepherd 1 — that was our code name for Pope Francis — who visited the Philippines last January, and who rode PAL’s Airbus 340 for his Manila-Rome flight. We had the business class section for him and his staff, and he called me from the economy section where I sat, just to express his thanks. “You have a very good aircraft,” the Pope said as I presented him a model of the plane he rode. When I asked for his blessing, he said: “Please pray for me also.” That was my most memorable 10 minute-conversation with a VIP passenger.

If you could be seated next to a celebrity passenger, who would you wish it to be?

Tiger Woods. I would ask him about his secrets to becoming one of the most iconic golfers of our time. And also Jason Day, the Australian-Filipino golfer who is one of the top golfers in the world today. I would ask him to visit the Philippines, the homeland of his mother who comes from Leyte.

PAL flies to 30 local destinations right now. Which local spots do you consider underrated and would like to promote more?

Tablas in Romblon, it has good beaches and nice boutique hotels. Camiguin for its scenic resorts and Mt. Hibok-Hibok. And Batanes, which is a beautiful place many Filipinos have yet to explore.

 Which local destinations are you hoping to visit soon?

 El Nido in Palawan which has been voted Best Island in the World for two years now by Condé Nast Traveler. I have been only to Busuanga and Coron. Perhaps Boracay, where PAL now has eight flights daily. The first time I visited Boracay was in the 1980s, when I won a package trip and we took a 21-seater airplane on a two-hour flight. Boracay was not commercialized then and electricity was provided by generators.

You’ve traveled to so many places in the course of your job. Personally, what places are still on your bucket list?

I’d like to see the aurora borealis in Iceland, or maybe take a cruise in Antarctica. And that religious trek in Santiago de Compostela called “El Camino.” On every golfer’s list is Saint Andrews in Edinburgh, the oldest golf course in the world.

What’s a must-bring item when you travel?

Bose noise-canceling earphones, because they help reduce jetlag. The noise of the engine is a cause of jetlag.

What is your dream for Philippine Airlines?

My dream is for PAL to be a five-star airline in five years. To be a full-service airline which is the preferred choice in all markets. PAL is really a source of pride for the country, and we want to provide a good experience for the passenger, from the time he books his flight until the time he claims his luggage. Even refunds should be given on time. PAL is a three-star airline right now. To become five-star, we also need the cooperation of government agencies. And we also need infrastructure support, we need a good airport. To be five-star in five years! That is my dream for PAL. Then I can retire.

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