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‘Direct flights open new opportunities’
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- Century Travel president David M. Sablan, Marianas Visitors Authority marketing manager Bruce Bateman, Philippines honorary consul to the CNMI Glicerio Arago, Philippine Airlines Guam-CNMI District are manager Maryann Cabreros, and Commonwealth Ports Authority acting executive director Chris Tenorio lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony in last week’s send-off of PAL’s inaugural Saipan-Manila flight. (Ferdie de la Torre)
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- Tan Holdings staffers Arlene Nelvis, Cecil Ramores, Obet Ong, and Evelyn Lapuz volunteer their services in last Friday’s gala dinner of PAL’s inaugural flights in the CNMI at the Hibiscus Hall of Fiesta Resort & Spa. (Jon Perez)
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- Pacific Oriental Inc. personnel are busy assisting passengers in PAL’s inaugural flight to Manila last week at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport. (Jon Perez)
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- CNMI Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, fourth left, and PAL Express president Bonifacio Sam, fifth left, lead the ceremonial cutting of the cake symbolizing the new partnership of PAL’s direct flights. (Jon Perez)
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- PAL’s flight crew pose for a group photo before heading back to Manila. (Jon Perez)
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- From left, MVA marketing manager Bruce Bateman, PAL marketing activations officer Kookai Silverio, PAL marketing activations manager Pinky Custodio, Century Travel president David M. Sablan, and Guam-CNMI District area manager Maryann Cabreros. (Jon Perez)
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- PAL vice president-marketing Ma. Sylvia Domingo, left, and PAL consultant-corporate communications Shirley Vicario wear Ilang-Ilang flowers after landing on Saipan. (Jon Perez)
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- PAL Express president Bonifacio Sam, right, presents a scale model of a PAL airplane to Tan Holdings president Jerry Tan. (Jon Perez)
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- Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog, left, laughs as award-winning Filipino singer Aicelle Santos asks him to join in with her performance. (Jon Perez)
Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Chris Concepcion believes Philippine Airlines’ new direct flights open a lot of exciting opportunities both for the CNMI and the Philippines. PAL had its inaugural direct flights early Thursday morning last week.
Concepcion and Lt. Gov. Victor B. Hocog were among the passengers of the first Manila to Saipan route along with PAL executives including PAL Express president Bonifacio Sam, senior vice president-airline operations Ismael Gozon, SVP-general counsel and corporate communications Siegfred Mison, and vice president-marketing Ma. Sylvia Domingo.
“It is a good opportunity for all of us, the CNMI and the Philippines. It is a great opportunity for business and leisure travelers, and tourism as well. We could share and invest in each other. We’re excited will all the opportunities that open for us,” said Concepcion. “It offers a new travel destination for leisure for both the CNMI and the Philippines.”
He added that with MVA opening up a Manila office early this year, the team there is tasked to promote Saipan and the CNMI as another tourist destination that is just three hours away.
“MVA Manila has worked hard in preparing for this inaugural flight. We have an entire team that works hand-in-hand to promote the CNMI as another travel destination. The Philippines could be our new travel and trade partner,” Concepcion said.
A five-member group of journalists were also part of PAL’s delegation where they visited Saipan’s tourism and historical sites in the three days that they stayed here on the island. They left early Monday morning.
“It would be very exciting for us when they head back to Manila and spread the word about Saipan and the CNMI,” said Concepcion.
Despite the hour-long delay in Manila, PAL still had a successful inaugural direct flight from Manila and still arrived close to 30 minutes early.
“We’re very happy for this service. We’re very really thrilled for this service that the people of the CNMI can take advantage of,” said Concepcion. “It would be a great help for our local passengers traveling for medical referral. Travel directly and no longer transit anywhere.”
A gala dinner was also held last Friday at the Hibiscus Hall of the Fiesta Resort & Spa-Saipan attended both by members of the Executive and Legislative branches of the CNMI and other PAL officials. Multi-awarded Filipino singer Aicelle Santos provided entertainment.
PAL flies twice a week from Saipan to Manila every Thursdays and Mondays at 4:35am (local time) arriving in Manila at 6:45am. The Manila-Saipan flight is every Wednesdays and Sundays at 9:20pm and lands at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport at 3:35am (local time).
