AZKAL or ASK ALL?

With this post, I might be breaking a lot of girls' hearts, or even boys for that matter.Quite a few die-hard fans might probably hate me or even worse threaten to take my life... nah that may be a bit exaggerated. But what I will post is something that will surely disappoint a lot of Azkals fan.  Those who are not from the Philippines might be wondering AZ-what? AZKALS is the Philippine national football team. They have recently revived the country's interest in the sport. The team is currently enormously popular, comparable to the local celebrities' popularity. Why? See this photo and notice that majority of the players look like they are not from the Philippines. But they are,or  at least one of their parents. With surnames like Etheridge, Younghusband, Gier, Greatwich, Ott and Schrock, it doesn't take someone with a genius IQ rating to know that these goodlooking young men with such foreign -sounding surnames could probably speak at most 300 Filipino words.   

They have been hailed as heroes. I have no objection to that. But somehow, one Azkal has definitely outgrown his hat. This Azkal arrived just in time for his flight. When I say just in time, I mean it is at that point wherein almost all passengers has been checked in. He arrives and while being processed, playfully asked the agent for an "azkal upgrade". The agent, although admittedly swooned, had the presence of mind to gracefully decline the request as the flight was not full and an upgrade to business class was not expected. Since this azkal was among the last to check-in, he was assisted to the terminal fee counter and to the immigration. This is something we do to all "almost late" passengers. Just to ensure that they will be able to be at the boarding gate in time for boarding and to make sure that despite them being late for check-in, the on time performance of the flight will not be affected. When advised to prepare 750 pesos for terminal fee payment, Mr. ASK - ALL asked teasingly for an "azkal discount". Of course this is not possible as the terminal fee is levied on all passengers, except for infants, OFW's and others. Mr. ASK-ALL has probably been previously exempted from paying this, on official trips wherein he would be part of the team representing the country in a football event. 

The check-in agent who processed this ASK-ALL had followed him on twitter and later received a twit from Mr. ASK-ALL telling her that since she did not show up at the boarding gate to give him a business class boarding pass, he proceeded to seat at the business class section and is trying to see how long he can stay there until the cabin finds out. Of course he soon was asked to return to his economy class seat, and the check-in agent was asked to explain if she did promise an upgrade.  

So who is this Azkal player who seem to be having a GREAT time riding on the team's popularity? I dare not say!

another YO post

Another source of yogurt-related happiness. After introducing my new flavor of choice comes another reason for my taste buds to celebrate. see this

Click the photo now to get the details of my first ever Ensogo voucher purchase. Ensogo is offering a great deal! For on 65 pesos, you can get a medium -sized california berry yogurt with 3 toppings! A 50% discount since this normally costs 130 pesos.

Frozen yogurt, or FROYO was first introduced to me by a cousin. A bit more expensive than your usual ice cream treat but since this is yogurt, a lot healthier they say. My first Froyo experience happened at Kenny Rogers, a buy 1 take 1 treat!

Interested in knowing more about California Berry? click here!

Wanna get the same deal I got from Ensogo? Better do it now, as many as 10700 vouchers has been sold as I write... I guess a lot of yogurt lovers thinks this is a good deal. Click away, only 100 hours to go before this offer expires.

yogurt mania

The latest object of my taste buds' affection. Saw this by chance at my usual brunch place...7-11 at terminal 3. At first I was hesitant, after all I am not a hardcore yogurt fan, but curiosity took over me and I had to try it. I grabbed a banana and snatched a cup of this off the chiller:

Sweet little langka bits, in ube flavored base. I am used to eating yogurt in all its fruity glory.. mango, strawberry, melon and raspberry, a bit sour, but this one is sweet, a bit too sweet for something that is supposed to be healthy, but the sweet tooth in me is not complaining. 

Got this for 35 pesos at 7-11, but had a trip to the supermarket and bought a few cups for 28 pesos! Looks like I'll be munching on this for the next few days.

my 8-hour Cebu experience

Have a look at these boarding passes:

As someone who has worked in the airport for 1/3 of my life, I guess it is safe to say that I have encountered more than a million passenger. And whenever I come across a traveler who says they are traveling on duty; I tell them I am jealous. Who wouldn't want to be paid to travel for free? But more often than not, seasoned business travelers tell me that I shouldn't be jealous. And now I know why.

Last Tuesday, my company asked me to go to Cebu to handle a Dangerous Goods training class. A class normally takes 4 hours, or even shorter depending on the participants' willingness to participate.

So after my counter duties at terminal 3 ended at 1002h, I took a heavy brunch for I know that no meals are served for domestic flights. After my agents were shuttled to terminal 1 for their 2nd airline duties, I asked the company driver to bring me to the domestic terminal of Philippine Airlines. I reached the airport at 1115h, enough time to check in for my 1245h flight. I guess it was not a full flight because I did not have to wait to be attended to at the check - in counter. After which, I proceeded straight to the boarding gate and waited. Having been awake since 0430h, I was able to take a quick nap at the holding area before my flight boarded at 1225h.

I must admit though that I was a bit surprised at how the boarding was handled. There were only 2 agents at the boarding gate, 1 did the announcement, which really did not sound very impressive, and the other agent tore the boarding passes. Nobody was there to control the flow of passengers, so even the business class passengers had to wait in line.

T'was a cloudy day, I was seated by the aisle and slept immediately. After what seemed like 20 minutes, I woke up to meal service. A pack of peanuts, a fudgee bar and choice or coffee, tea or water. I asked for coffee and later asked for 2 glasses of water.

I arrived Cebu at 1410h, was met by a pretty Cebuana. Being the naturally chatty me, we engaged in small talk and later learned that they have been very busy for most part of the day since another boss of our company was also visiting. I was guided to the PAL admin office to meet out training manager.

His class ended at exactly 1600h, my cue to start mine. I just waited for 15 minutes to let the group settle.

I found our Cebuano agents to be quite a happy bunch. I enjoyed my little class with them as they do live up to the warm and friendly Cebuano reputation.

I finished my class a little before 2000h. Dismissed the class and went to the nearby Marina Mall with our training manager. I was not really in the mood to eat, I was glad to see a shawarwa stand in front of the supermarket. My colleague paid for it and I had my avocado shake. That is dinner and I am happy. Knowing that our manager had to rest for he still have to prepare for his class the next day, I told him to head back to his hotel room and I shall find my way back to the airport.

I was back at the terminal by 2100h. I was early but I had nowhere else to do, I've been to Cebu 3 times before and I know that there is not much I can do in 2 hours time. I decided to just do a bit of work : check the exams that I earlier gave so I can inform the manager if a retake needs to done. Luckily all agents passed.

The flight was slightly delayed, but sadly no announcement was made. It was said that boarding will start at 2150h, we did not board until 2224h.

I again slept in the cabin.a pack of peanuts was again served this time paired with a pack of sumo mini cookies. This time around I asked for a cup of tea. After sipping my tea, I went back to sleeping.

The flight arrived manila at 2340h, as instructed, the company driver met me and drove me home.

-an hour spent awaiting boarding in Manila for my flight to Cebu

-an hour spent on board

-an hour spent waiting for my class to start

-roughly 4 hours of talking

-an hour spent for dinner

-an hour and half awaiting boarding in Cebu for my flight back home

-an hour spent on board

Guess I really should not be jealous of all those business travelers.