Problems with plane booking

Before the New Year, I wrote about a complaint against Cebu Pacific airline. We went to Manila on a round trip ticket with Cebu Pacific. I came home Dec. 25 and the other members of my family were to come home afternoon of Dec. 27. That was what they were booked for.

A day before, they checked the ticket. They found out it was first trip of the following day. And the airline could not correct it any more. They had to wake up 2:30 a.m. to be in the first flight.

When I wrote about it, I got calls, reaction of the same experience they had. A friend said it is in the system. But the problem was that the airline personnel who were arrogant.

Then a retired Bank of the Philippine Islands executive, Ding Puentevella, called up and he said his family had the same experience in coming home from the U.S.

But, he said, he has his lawyers taking care of the complaint. Cebu Pacific must be taught some lessons.

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The complaint must be centered on the arrogance of the personnel who were challenging complainers to file complaints, indicating the company would not discipline them.

One litigious passenger, especially a lawyer, can put Cebu Pacific in its proper place, losing millions and getting adverse publicity.

We need Cebu Pacific to compete with PAL and Air Philippines because we dread a monopoly.

That's why Cebu Pacific must improve its service.

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Science is marching fast. Cebu Pacific must not allow itself to be left behind. One of the best contraptions that widens the communication highway is the mobile phone.

Mobile phones are not only changing the world. They are changing life and lifestyles.

If landline telephone companies do not watch out, mobile phones will render landline phone companies irrelevant. You can reach people around the world by mobile phones. And you can see the one you are talking to. Convenient, too.

You can use it for camera, calculator, directory, organizer and very many more, like sending your e-mail…

It can undertake bank transactions. Within the next few years, I don't know what more it can do.

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It has some disadvantages, though. It's very irritating talking to one whose attention is on his mobile phone, reading or answering a text message.

And students would rather spend their daily allowance for buying phone card to be able to text to their friends.

It also makes people more creative. Of course, where there are those who are lazy to make their own message and just forward their received messages, others try poetry.

I like my friend Jimmy Golez. Every morning he sends me words of wisdom for the day. And another friend Neil Honeyman. Everyday, he sends me a comment or two for every column I write.

Tutay Corral was poetic. And I believe it was his because it was the only one. “May there will always be work for your hand to do,/ May your purse always hold a coin or two;/ May the sun always shine on your window pane,/ May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;/ May the hand of a friend always be near you,/ And may God fill your heart with gladness the whole year through.”

* * *

Our politicians are good. Their texted messages have warmth. The texts of former Congressman John Orola and incumbent Congressman Newks Puentevella were personal and with warmth. So with Silay Mayor Oti Montelibano who impressed me with his linguistic talents and Murcia Mayor Sonny Coscolluela.

Mayor Bing Leonardia did not send a text. He called up personally to greet me. Cano Tan's message is really with the hall mark of a Cano Tan, simple and brief, “Happy New Year!”

I got text greetings from two probable presidential candidates, Senator Mar Roxas and Senator Dick Gordon. Early birds.

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Notes:

1. Our heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family of the late Gov. Alfredo Montelibano Jr.

2. Our guest at Feedback tonight is Inquirer columnist Amando Doronila discussing the prospects up to 2010.

3. I got queries from both parties anxious about the court decision in the case against money changer Helen Aguadilla on her right to bail.

The case is in the sala of RTC Judge Fernando Elumba, one of the highly-respected judges we have here.*

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