The subscriber cannot be reached

Three months ago I lost my wallet. I was hoping someone would return it even just the cards because it's hard to apply for replacements. Yesterday I lost my phone. It's much harder to get the 300+ numbers of friends, relatives and acquaintances. To my textmates, my apologies for not being able to reply.

Boarding at NAIA Terminal 3

It was only on the day of my flight to Singapore that I found out that the International flights of Cebu Pacific were moved to NAIA Terminal 3. I thought that only local flights operate in the new terminal for it fails to conform to some international standards. Thanks to manong taxi driver who mentioned it to me on my way to the office. With two large bags on my arms, he assumed that I was going to the airport. But no, I still have to go to work that morning. I went to the CEB and even asked my coworker if CEB international flights already operate in Terminal 3, and the answer is “yes” since August 1. After my last meeting in the afternoon, I hurriedly went down the IBM building and hailed a taxi.

As I entered the departure area, I rolled my eyes in the spacious and modern look of the terminal. It was spacious and has a lot of seats for passengers. It was far from the bus terminal look of the MIA and Terminal 1.

I proceeded to the check-in counter of CEB and found some announcements on printed paper that flights to some countries were cancelled due to typhoon. I was relieved that the SG flight is not one of them.

Though it has a new look and state-of-the-art facilities, it has not improved the speed of checking-in. Passengers still battle with long lines including the payment of terminal fee. I didn’t have much choice in terms of food for there were only 3 food establishment in the departure area: Jollibee, Kopiroti and Mister Donut. I settled for a burger champ and peach mango pie.

I’ve already booked two international flights with CEB before so I’m already used to their delayed flights. To my surprise, my flight to SG was on time and we even boarded ten minutes before the scheduled boarding time. At exactly 8:30 pm, our plane departed and I was so excited that I wasn’t able to sleep during the flight.

Fulfilling my 2008 travel checklist with close friends

I just got back from a 4 days trip in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. I arrived in Manila this morning around 4:30am. With only 2 hours of sleep, my mind is still in vacation mode as I write this blog entry. I was thrilled not by the reverse bungee jump at Clark Quay in Singapore or the 15 minutes cable car ride to Genting, Malaysia but the chance to see and spend time with childhood friends whom I haven't seen in a long time.


A heartfelt thanks to Ryan and Dowa for hosting our KL trip, and James and Noreen for touring me in SG. James, Dowa and I were classmates from elementary to high school. It seems like it was only yesterday that we go to Dowa's house after school to play street and board games.





Things may have been a little different right now (we've all grown up and both of them have a family of their own), they're still my closest friends. It's comforting to know that there are really are forever friends.





For the next few days I’ll be posting my adventures to both countries but for now, back to reality (work).