Cebu Pacific gives free flights to '100 Lucky Juans'

MANILA, Philippines - One hundred overseas Filipino workers based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) arrived on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 after being chosen as Cebu Pacific's 100 Lucky Juans.

After a 14-week competition, Cebu Pacific chose the winners, who were treated a free flight aboard the budget airline's Dubai-Manila maiden flight.

The contest involved Dubai-based OFWs liking Cebu Pacific's Facebook page and answering the question 'How will I make my homecoming in the Philippines fun?'

Entries were submitted as a photo collage, video or essay and were judged based on creativity, adherence to the theme and the number of 'likes'on the social networking site. The length of stay in the UAE was also a factor in choosing the winners.

The Lucky Juans were welcomed at the airport and were immediately given a homecoming celebration at Resorts World Manila, where they reunited with their families.

"Cebu Pacific is very proud to be reuniting 100 of our hardworking kababayans with their families in the Philippines. This has made our maiden Dubai-Manila flight a truly meaningful milestone. We look forward to be of service to even more Filipinos, as we continue to offer our trademark low fares to even more long haul destinations in the future," Cebu Pacific President and Chief Executive Officer Lance Gokongwei said.

Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Grace Princesa joined the 100 OFWs in their flight to Manila, and extended her gratitude to Cebu Pacific for extending their service to migrant Filipinos.

"We at the UAE are fortunate to now have a low travel alternative so we can come home more often," she said.

Princesa estimated that there are about half a million Filipinos in the UAE, most of them skilled workers.

Cebu Pacific offers daily flights from Manila to Dubai, with year-round fares starting at P4,999.