FIRST Christmas party of airport media as one, both historic and successful
Last December 27, the Airport Press Club (APC) headed by Ariel Fernandez as president and composed of in-house media covering the airport beat and representing various news organizations, held a Christmas party at its office located on the fourth floor of the NAIA Terminal 1.
It was no ordinary get-together, that is why I feel compelled to write about it. I guess as a beat reporter who has covered four airport managers and the group’s vice president, I can say that the event was a historic and unique one for a number of reasons.
Firstly, it was the first-ever Christmas party held by the in-house media as one.
There used to be three groups holding their separate Christmas parties. Since all three merged under APC at the end of erstwhile general manager Ed Monreal’s term, we held a gathering under one press group and in one press office.
It was also a first that the top honchos of lead agencies and stakeholders at the airport, particularly the premier NAIA terminals, attended the party.
At this point, I would like to express the APC’s heartfelt thanks to the very kind and humble Secretary Jaime Bautista of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and his companions, Usec Joni Segismundo and Usec Bobby Lim.
Of course, our gratitude too to the amiable and hardworking International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Cesar Chiong.
Chiong came with his senior assistant general manager Bryan Co, the staff of the media affairs division led by Jenson Nellas and Teody Jomoc and the ever-dependable and sexy public affairs office chief Connie Bungag who stayed on until the party was over and even gave a moving speech.
(By the way, GM Chiong also hosted a luncheon for APC members the following day, where he once again bonded with the group. He was with PAO chief Connie, who apologized for leaving the party too early.)
The “early birds” were the beauteous Philippine Airlines (PAL) spokesperson Ma. Cielo Villaluna who came with veteran PAL photographer Lito Hibo and the equally gorgeous Janet Cordero, President of PAGSS.
Also present at the party were Cebu Pacific officers, namely spokesperson Carmina Romero, Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist Roxanne Gochuico; Corp Comm Manager Romina Yasmin Aguirre and Malou Reyes who represented CEB’s external PR Resty Perez.
Air Asia was also amply represented by its indefatigable officials, namely Steve Dailisan, head of communications and public affairs and deputy spokesperson Carlo Carongoy.
Eric Apoloniio, the very able spokesman of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and who happens to be ‘family’ of the APC, was also there along with Dana Sandoval, who represented Commissioner Norman Tansingco of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and who also happens to be the latter’s very articulate and charming spokesperson.
Our special thanks and gratitude to all these aviation bigwigs who made our Christmas party extra special and for sparing us some of their precious time. We know that all of them are super busy owing to the holiday season when their work is at its peak.
As usual, Sec. Bautista gamely answered queries, making it evident that he was ready and willing to share every bit of information relating to the DOTr operations.
The well-attended affair is a clear indication that the said bigwigs are bent on having a harmonious relationship with the media members covering them.
We highly appreciate their gesture of showing how important their relationship with the APC is and on our part, we would like to assure them of fairness, at the very least.
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