Piso-fare to zero-fare

Lose some, win some...

Our Cebu Pacific 2125H (last) flight from Davao back to Manila last night was canceled due to aircraft mechanical problems. Or so they say. We've learned about this thru a phone call made by the airline to Jasper just before lunch time yesterday. Since yesterday was supposedly our last day in Davao, most of the team went out early for last minute sight-seeing and shopping unaware of our flight cancellations.

After long negotiations with the carrier as we haggled for just compensation of at least a decent accommodation for the team, we've managed to get one-way trip voucher instead. That wasn't easy. It took the combined merlat powers of Rowel and Eric to finally convince them to compensate us, as they were firm that there were no existing company policy on compensations for canceled flights. Now that is CebuPac's customer service!

That's a total of eight one-way trip vouchers! Unable to avail were Mariano, Bench and Noey who left yesterday for Manila on their respective flight schedules: Mariano and Bench via CebuPac late afternoon and Noey via Philippine Air at 2100H.

The flight cancellation proved very beneficial for us:

1. Should the flight have proceeded right on schedule, we would have gone back to Manila yesterday with lighter backpacks as the laundry supposedly for 1800H pickup finished at 2000H (which by that time, we should have already been at the airport). Noey, in fact wasn't able to claim his so we have to bring it earlier.
2. We all got a one-way free travel voucher to any CebuPac local destinations (equal or lower value than Manila-Davao)

Before Bench, Mariano and Noey left for Manila, we had a late birthday lunch at Goatie's Grill. Mariano and I ordered chinese noodles for long life and prosperity as they say. We feasted on kinilaw na kambing, kalderetang kambing, bicol express, grilled squid, beef and asparagus and kinilaw na tuna among others.

Early this morning, we arrived at Davao International Airport in three taxis a little after 0500H. Our flight back home was 0725H. We were in queue for at least an hour just to claim our travel vouchers at check-in. At first, they refuse to issue us our vouchers but we insisted, persisted and demanded. Yun na!

Free voucher haggling at check-in counter. (Photo courtesy: Ujin A.)

Now, we're home. And I'm missing Davao already!

Lounging at the pre-departure waiting area. (Photo courtesy: Ujin A.)