TitlHorror stories
on land and air

After all the horror stories I had heard, both from the news and from friends who had actually experienced it, I braced myself for some very stressful and annoying moments as I prepared for the trip to the United States that would be centered on the much-publicized and eagerly awaited "Battle" between Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao, and Mexico's boxing master Erik Morales.

***

We all know how badly Pinoys wanted to see Morales brought to his knees by our hero. Their last encounter was, as far as Filipinos - and many other foreigners, too - were concerned, had been scored very unfairly by the judges, one of whom even admitted later having committed an error. So it was a grudge fight, not only for Pacquiao, but for his aggrieved countrymen who, not only rooted for him, but also prayed hard for his success, well, their success, too.

***

Anyway, I learned later that some people thought that my trip had been underwritten by Pacquiao since he is believed to be that generous to friends. For the record, though, I can say that my plane ticket came courtesy of the Philippine Airlines and how I got it is quite a story. The last time the DAILY STAR was awarded by the Philippine Press Institute-Konrad Adenauer Foundation with the "Best in Business Reporting" honors, I was informed by PAL VP Rolly Estabillo that they were also awarding me with a round-trip ticket to the U.S. This was almost two years ago, and since I had no opportunity to travel then, I thought I had forfeited it already.

***

Even if PAL manager Job Lamela had told me that the notice for the ticket had been relayed to his office here almost as soon as Rolly promised it, I hesitated to claim it, until the opportunity to watch "The Battle" came. After relatives and close friends, both in Los Angeles and Las Vegas insisted, even demanded, that they would provide accommodations, I feared that it would not be worth risking being denied by PAL. Anyway, an opportunity came to talk with Rolly E. and when I jokingly asked if my prize ticket was still available, he promptly replied "Of course!"

***

But the horror stories haunted me. Would I be able to hold my temper if the customs or immigration people insulted me? The thought kept nagging, and that must have been the reason why I almost panicked when I could not longer find my passport in my bag when we were about to check in at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. I searched in my handcarried luggage, upended my "native" purse, but no passport! San Antonio! Help! The good saint who never fails came to the rescue again. I found my passport in my pants pocket where I had placed it before leaving for the airport, for "security"!

***

We breezed through RP customs and immigration whose people were even stricter than those in the U.S. Finding a tiny teasing comb which I never use, but kept for sentimental reasons, the inspector promptly broke off the "tail" saying it was a pointed object. Honestly, the Pinoys were more thorough, they even made us take off our shoes. This annoyed me a lot because I even bought new sandals before going to the airport so everything would be transparent. But I held my peace. They also went over my cosmetics or kikay kit very thoroughly.

***

But the horror was to come about 20 minutes after our plane took off. Suddenly the deck officer announced that we were flying at 18,000 feet but would have to go back for "some flight control problem" and land at the NAIA 15 minutes later. Well, I have experienced similar problems in previous flights, so thought nothing of it. Half an hour passed, and the officer announced again that we would be landing in 15 minutes, and that we were flying at 7,000 feet. Another half hour passed and he announced that we will be "tapping" fuel. Now, what does that mean? I looked around and my neighbors looked very serious. More so when he again announced that we couldn't land yet as there was still a lot of fuel to dump. Great God in heaven! Were we to make a belly landing? We were praying hard by then, but, believe it or not, some passengers were sleeping soundly.

***

We did land safely soon after, thank God and all the Saints in heaven that we implored. I later heard that the flaps on the wings of the plane would not rise so we could not gain altitude. Repairs were done, we were given some soggy Goldilocks sandwiches, and took off again four hours later. But nobody resented the delay, we were grateful enough that our airline people were alert, and taking the best of care.* as

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