In and Out The Big Juan

We've written about The Big Juan on a previous entry. Just by watching its shipping to assembly video made us want to be a part of this successful endeavor to bring an A330, the first for Cebu Pacific, to the Philippines. It would have been awesome to be in its maiden voyage from France to Manila. It makes us proud to see the Philippine flag in the plane's body.

The videos from the Cebu Pacific Youtube account gave us a glimpse to what happened during the A330's delivery. Here's the blessing ceremony:

Of course, the ceremonies wouldn't be complete without the sneak peeks of the A330's sides and interiors: 

The Big Juan is really big! It can accommodate 400 passengers and it looks sleek and modern in the inside. Even the colors of the seats look neat and friendly. We're excited for those who will ride this on its first destination under the Cebu Pacific helm.

If you want to be one of the first passengers of the A330 on its first flight from Dubai to Manila, join the 100 Lucky Juans now! You'll get a chance to ride The Big Juan for free! Check the Cebu Pacific Facebook page now!

*This entry is sponsored by Cebu Pacific Air. All opinions are the writer's own.

One Big Juan!

And it's finally here!… Er well, in Manila! ;) 

Cebu Pacific has received its first Airbus A330 and boy it's looking good! The delivery of this first huge aircraft marks a milestone for Cebu Pacific, which is launching its first long haul flight to Dubai on October. 

The A330 is a wide-body twin-engine jet airliner made by Airbus, a popular aircraft manufacturer based in Toulouse, France that produces approximately half of the world's jet airliners. The A330 is one of the most widely-used aircraft in the airline industry today showing just how efficient and safe it is. For Cebu Pacific, this new addition to their fleet is their biggest plane yet earning it the nickname, The Big Juan. 

Here are fun facts from Cebu Pacific's Twitter account about their new baby… 

Take a journey with the Big Juan right now! Yes, right now with this video showing The Big Juan's shipping and assembly in Toulouse, France to its maiden flight to the Philippines! 

Wooow! It truly is a feat of design and engineering and if it is up to us, The Pink Tarha will be excited to go on a journey with The Big Juan! 

Good thing for our readers in the United Arab Emirates because you have a chance to be the lucky Juans inside The Big Juan on its first flight from Dubai to Manila. Get a chance to fly in the A330 for free by joining Cebu Pacific's 100 Lucky Juans contest. Just share with us how you will make your homecoming fun in the 100 Lucky Juans Facebook app. Join now!

Family First

What is the essence of being an OFW if not for family? 

It's hard enough that we have to fly thousand of miles away from home to provide for them but for most Filipinos abroad, saving up for a vacation back to the Philippines can pose some financial difficulties. Lucky for us, Cebu Pacific is starting to offer direct AND very affordable flights from Dubai to Manila and vice versa. 

I was looking through the entries of the 100 Lucky Juans on the Cebu Pacific's Facebook Page and found myself drawn to these three photos in particular:

I really liked this photo from Karen Cabangon because it reminded me so much of how most ordinary days in the Philippines feel like with our families. Lounging around the "sala" with the electric fan on, watching TV and enjoying a glass of cold softdrinks in the afternoon. They looked really happy in this photo and that kid is just sooo cute! I also liked that she took the time to tell us her story in the caption section. Truly vacation would be grander if the whole family could come along. 

This photo from Michael Grace reminds me of my own experience of flying with Cebu Pacific with my friends just last year and it's always a scenic shot to show that you and your loved ones are doing some traveling (I have the same photo, standing outside the aircraft). What I really enjoy about the idea of Cebu Pacific is that they've made air travel accessible and affordable to every Filipino. Whether its because you want to see your friends and family or because you just want to visit a new province/city in the Philippines that you've never seen before. I do believe that everyone should travel, if given the chance. :) 

And of course, the picturesque capture of the Burj Khalifa by Roland Sapnay is simply perfect especially since Cebu Pacific is currently promoting its upcoming direct flights from Manila to Dubai. Dubai is a very cosmopolitan with a cityscape that any person can be at awe of. There are thousands of OFWs based in Dubai and the UAE and they will surely benefit from this offer by Cebu Pacific. I am sure that this can bring them closer to their loved ones here in the Middle East and back at home. 

As OFWs, we do travel in and out of the country more often than we would want to. However, no matter where we go, it's always about our families. We wouldn't have chosen to become OFWs if not for them. So whether we bask under the desert sun of the Middle East or as we gaze into the bright lights of the big city, in our hearts, home and family is where we all want to be. 

Join the 100 Lucky Juans for a chance to win a free flight from Dubai to Manila! Details can be found here. 

Are You The Lucky Juan?

THERE ARE OVER two million Overseas Filipino Workers residing in the Middle East and it's a struggle that not all the Middle Eastern countries are served by our own nation's airline carrier that can bring us back directly to the Philippines. I'm sure most of us has had our share of excruciating connecting flights, spending four hours or more in airports of neighboring countries, all for the sake of a lower fare or for simply being able to get back home. Just recently, Sundrenched and I endured a 12-hour wait in Oman's airport due to lack of available flights back to Riyadh -- but we're still young (ehem) and we can patient and understanding for a long period of time (as long as there's free WiFi). But what about the thousands of OFWs who want a hassle-free, affordable and pleasant ride back and forth from the Philippines and their country of destination? Well, Cebu Pacific may soon be the answer to our prayers.

As you all know, Cebu Pacific is the Philippines' most-talked about and most-patronized airline carrier. Who hasn't heard of the PISO-seat Sale? Or their super affordable offers to nearby Asian countries like China, Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea (just to name a few). Many of my friends back at home (myself included) have been able to see more of the Philippines and Asia thanks to the irresistible rates of traveling with Cebu Pacific. My first trip to Boracay was actually through a Cebu Pacific flight and my experience with them was quite amiable and on schedule. Though I wasn't able to experience the dancing flight attendants that became a fad, I believe.

Anyway, the good news is Cebu Pacific has recently announced that they shall be offering direct flights from Manila to Dubai starting October 2013. This is exciting news because they will be the only Filipino airline carrier that will offer this direct flight to Dubai, UAE. We are particularly proud of this because a Filipino brand was able to penetrate the international aviation market of the Middle East - which is no easy task! Of course, they will be using brand new Airbus A330-300 for these long haul flights (If you want to read on this kind of plane, you can check it out by clicking here).

Cebu Pacific's Airbus A330-300

Having said that, Cebu Pacific is thrilled about this new venture and is offering the 100 Lucky Juans Promo to Kapuso Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates! If you're a subscriber of GMA International Channels in the UAE, you will get a chance to come home to the Philippines for free by simply posting your answers to the Cebu Pacific official Facebook page!

Get ready!

Joining is as easy as juan, two, three!
Stay tuned for more details to be released soon.