Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

The past year was indeed a roller coaster ride, filled with much woes and frustration with life, work, relationships and more. I'm glad the year is over and it's over with answered prayers that brought inner peace. Because of that, I feel optimistic about the coming year. I got a feeling that this coming year will be a good good year. I've never feel happier in recent years. I'll do cart wheels if only I can. :)

Looking back, I can't help but enjoy ride. I was able to upgrade my lakbayan grade from C to C+ with trips to Coron, Donsol, Batanes and Siargao. I don't know where I'm off to this year. The year has started and I'm surprised to see my calendar filled for the next six weekends... it really is an exciting but hectic year. On new year's eve, a travel buddy was narrating his wish list; and I woke up with a sms asking me to plan for a winter trip, then later in the day, got a message from another asking for the list of holidays this year. As the designated organizer woah, pressure! But frankly, I don't know where to start this time. How about just being spontaneous, for a change? :)

Cebu Pacific Refund and New Travel Options

Google about Cebu Pacific then you'll read a lot of blogs if not about it's low fares it's by disgruntled customers, about it's poor on-time performance and more so about their poor customer service including delayed refund processing, bumping off passengers on overbooked flights, cancellation or flight delays without proper notice. If you've been following my blogs, I had my fair share.

Almost always I get jittery when I take a flight with Cebu Pacific because of it's poor customer service. Since PAL doesn't ply the route to Siargao, I had to take my chances again with them. We booked our trip to Siargao four months beforehand to avail of promo rates. When it's promo rate, it's obviously not refundable, it's a risk any budget traveller would take.

A few weeks before our scheduled flight we were informed via email (wow) and got a call too (wow) that our flight was moved ten minutes earlier. We were given the option to rebook, reroute or refund at no extra cost. Wow! I took the chance of cancelling the flight of a companion who could not make it. The agent gave me a locator number regarding the refund. Previously, I had to haggle and insist on them giving me a letter stating so. Today, I got the refund through my credit card. This time not 6 months later but within 30 days. Wow (again)! I took Cebu Pacific twice this year and I had no problem with them this time. I'm eagerly waiting for the promo come new year. Have I forgiven Cebu Pacific? Slight! haha They will still remain my second choice but I'm giving them a free plug...

This month, they introduced new travel options like change of name and a travel fund, read on for more details.

Starting December 1, 2009, leading domestic airline Cebu Pacific (CEB) will offer new products for the additional convenience of its guests.

The name change option allows passengers to transfer their tickets to another passenger for a fee.

Meanwhile, the travel fund allows passengers to use the value of changed flights within 90 days from the date the fund is created, or to transfer the booking to another passenger. The fund eliminates the waiting time for refunds. Passengers can immediately use the stored amount for their next booking.

CEB will also begin using a new booking and cancellation policy starting December 1, 2009.

Under the new rules, passengers can change their ticket more than one day before departure date. This includes modifying flight, route, date of travel and name, or canceling flights.

Involuntary flight disruptions (such as cancellations or delays by CEB) of three hours or more allows passengers to refund or store booking in the Travel Fund for future travel without penalties within 30 days.

In cases of situations beyond the airline’s control (like weather), tickets are not refundable but passengers may rebook flights without penalties as long as travel is completed within 30 days. Passengers may also store booking in the Travel Fund, but with a penalty since these disruptions are beyond CEB’s control.

Green Passports (Non-Machine Readable Passports) Maybe Not Valid

The official statement of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA):

 

09 February 2009 – The Philippines has been issuing machine readable passports (MRPs) since 17 July 2007.

All green passports (non-machine readable passports) will be valid until the stated date of expiry.

This advisory is issued to reiterate the Department’s previous statement on the validity of green passports and to allay confusion roused by recent erroneous information.

There are talks and emails circulating that the Green Passports are no longer valid April 2010 onwards. As clarified above and after reading through some materials, green passports can be issued until before April 2010 and is valid until expiry.

However, I inquired with two different travel agents, they informed me that DFA changed it's stand that it is valid only before April 2010. But I guess, it's a case of disinformation since the official website of DFA still says that it is valid until expiry. The agent's advise is that green passports may still be acceptable in Asia but it's best to change them to Machine Readable Passports (MRP) for other continents.

To avoid any inconvenience with the transition, I'll just have my passport changed to MRP or better yet the epassport, if it's already available. I won't take the chance to spoil my trip to Palau, Micronesia.

Today, I received my plane ticket confirmation to Palau, Micronesia. I am both excited and anxious to go on a diving trip come April next year. I'm on a guilt trip as well to go on vacation on a holy week. We are somehow mandated to stay home during holy week and attend church service during these times after a freak accident that happened to our family when I was barely 3 months old. It wasn't as hard as I've expected to ask for my dad's approval but I know he's not happy about it. Oops! I ought to break the rules once in a while.

Note: Picture taking for MRP is required at the office of the DFA (or is it next to DFA office? hmm...) Proper dress code is expected when entering DFA. Shorts, sleeveless, sandals, slippers or flip flops are not allowed. Entrepreneurial pinoys are on standby outside DFA to rent out clothes and shoes but you don't want to get your feet in there, do you?

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you the timeless treasures of Christmas.
The warmth of home.
The love of family
and the company of good friends.

It's almost midnight and everyone else is asleep.  What's your Christmas wish?  His wish is as good as mine... http://bosanchez.ph/

Merry Christmas and Noche Buena (spanish for good night)! :D

Voter's Registration Extended: Exercise Your Right to Suffrage in 2010

Let's do our share and exercise our right to suffrage during the May 10, 2010 presidential elections.  I am still undecided who to vote and I missed the presidential debate.  The next president should be one who has good leadership skills and can lead by example, one with political will and does not succom to pressure to the king maker.  I personally like Gordon for his leadership skills but doubts his winnability.  Noynoy is simply the safest choice because he's the lesser evil but he's leadership skills is questionable.  Gibo sounds very articulate but doubtful as to his motives being the administration's choice.  Bravo for Villar's political campaign he has positioned himself for being for the masses but after a conversation with a bank executive, he's definitely out of my list - he's one shrewed businessman.  Estrada is nothing but shameless for running inspite of getting convicted.

Who's your choice?  Now convince me. :)

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday extended registration of voters for the May 10, 2010 elections until January 9, 2010.

In a nine-page unanimous decision penned by Associate Justice Conchita Carpio Morales, the Court en banc granted the petition filed by Kabataan party-list led by Raymond Palatino seeking to declare null and void Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 8585, which shortened the deadline of voters registration to October 31, 2009, instead of December 15, 2009, as previously fixed by Comelec Resolution No. 8514.

Section 8 of Republic Act 8189 or the Voter’s Registration Act of 1996 provides that the registration of voters shall be conducted daily in the office of the election officer during regular office hours, except during the period starting 120 days before a regular election and 90 days before a special election.

 Read the rest of the story http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/.