Muslim group: two imams pulled from plane bound for North Carolina

(BLOGGER'S NOTE: I thought all the while that the USA is the land of the free, and the home of the brave. Indeed, times have changed. I was wrong after all. Think of the statue of liberty.)

By the CNN Wire Staff

May 7, 2011 -- Updated 1622 GMT (0022 HKT)

(CNN) -- An airline is investigating the removal of two imams from a flight headed to North Carolina, ostensibly because passengers felt uncomfortable with their presence of the pair -- both clad in Islamic attire.

The incident occurred Friday on an Atlantic Southeast Airlines flight from Tennessee to North Carolina and it involved Masudur Rahman and Mohamed Zaghloul were wearing traditional Muslim dress, CNN affiliate WCNC reported.

The two -- who hold high religious positions in the Muslim community -- were headed to North Carolina for a conference on prejudice against Muslims, or Islamaphobia. The meeting is sponsored by the North American Imams Federation.

Rahman, who is a professor at the University of Memphis, told the affiliate that the incident reminded him of the prejudice Rosa Parks faced during the civil rights movement.

"That history I found today in that plane, and it shouldn't happen with any other person," he said.

Atlantic Southeast Airlines, which operated the flight, said the incident is under investigation, and apologized "for any inconvenience that this may have caused."

Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the civil rights group Council on American-Islamic Relations, told CNN the two men contacted his office and said they were told that passengers were uncomfortable with them on the flight.

 

"They went through security, even went through secondary security, and got on the plane, were taxiing out," he said.

But then, they were taxied back, Hooper said.

"TSA came on and pulled them off and said the pilot was refusing to fly with them because passengers were uncomfortable with them," Hooper said, referring to the Transportation Security Administration.

Hooper said officials re-screened them and found they were no threat.

While officials tried to get the men back on the plane, "the pilot absolutely refused and ultimately took off," Hooper said.

The airlines did not say why the two men were taken off the flight, but said they were given the opportunity to fly on a different flight.

"Atlantic Southeast Airlines flight 5452 from Memphis to Charlotte returned to the gate to allow for additional screening of a passenger and the passenger's companion," the statement said. "We take security and safety very seriously, and the event is currently underinvestigation."

MY STORY: END DISCRIMINATION TO TRANSSEXUAL WOMEN

 By Ms. Bemz Benedito

           These past months have been a hectic one for me at work and my advocacy; I reasonably lost in touch with my sister who also happens to have a demanding work as a pharmacist in a public hospital. And so last night, when at last, our energies and time met and we planned to have some indulging and pampering and consequently, we headed at WENSHA SPA CENTER last March 16 at 12 midnight. We went to the WENSHA SPA CENTER located at Timog Ave. corner Panay Ave, Quezon City.

  

            We merrily entered the spa because of its good ambiance and it was our first time to experience some indulging and pampering at midnight. Actions and occurrences were initially without abrupt turns when we availed for their full packages promo – facial and body massage or foot massage or foot spa.  We were given bracelet keys for our lockers and colored rubber slippers. There was no sign that a deplorable situation will happen later.

            They were still gracious to ask us to proceed at the second floor. We then proceeded at the locker room to change.  At this point we noticed the lady guard at the door, because she was looking at me nastily and maliciously and as if it wasn’t enough she also gawkily watched me change my clothes all throughout.  I just ignored it and let it pass even if I knew I was the only one receiving her odd and awkward stares.

             I then proceeded to the facial room and while my sister went on to have her body massage.  An hour later, I was soothed after my facial treatment which was excellently done by my kind facial therapist, Angel.  My sister also arrived at the facial room to have hers. I told Angel and my sister that I needed to go first to my locker before proceeding to my body massage. I had to get some money for tip. Suddenly, my dear sister followed me and she seemed agitated. I asked her what’s wrong. She swiftly whispered that Angel had told her that there’s a problem because the lady guard and another staff informed her that I cannot have my body massage in the female section but instead I will be transferred to the male section. I felt so hurt and turned dazed and disoriented for a moment. My dear sister held my hands and only then that I regained my focus.  I quickly went back to the facial room and conversed to Angel to get the whole story. The apologetic, accommodating and kind Angel told me that the lady guard had informed her that I cannot be provided service in the female section because I will be sharing a room with other biological women and they might feel uncomfortable.  I also found out that some staff didn’t want me to be there, but rather at the male section. Embarrassed, capsized and distressed, I held back my tears and didn’t want to show any weakness. I remained gallant and unaffected and said my piece:  “This is discrimination. I am a transsexual woman and I deserve to avail of the services that I paid in this area. It will be very unpleasant for me and the men if you will insist for me to transfer. Besides you cannot assume anything unless one of the clients has already complained. “  

  

            The poor Angel was constantly apologetic and tried to pacify me by saying, “Ewan ko sa kanila ma’am, sorry po talaga. Retokada or naopera na daw po ba kayo? But if my vagina na po kayo ay sige po. Okay lang po ba kasi magtatanggal kayo lahat.” (I don’t know what’s wrong with them ma’am. I am really sorry. They were asking if you have undergone any operation, but if you have vagina then it will be fine. Would it just be okay for you to take off everything?)  The entire course of the conversation and questions was so humiliating and degrading so I told Angel that I will not push through with the body massage anymore and I will just settle for the foot massage. I was still hurting and starting to feel so depressed even if Angel accompanied me to the common foot massage section and got an equally kind massage therapist for me. Her name is Monet and I told her what happened. “Kaya pala ako pinaki-usapan ni Angel. Grabe naman sila ma’am”, she said. (That’s probably why Angel talked to me, they are so inconsiderate). I retorted back by saying that I felt bad and that they cannot do this to me. I’m an officer of Ladlad Partylist and this will definitely cause you in trouble. In my thoughts, I didn’t want to create a commotion because it might work against my part, so I remained composed, calm and collected. However, while having my foot massage, I couldn’t any longer take pleasure into it and I wanted to finish it. The violation already sank in my mind and heart. The feeling of unwanted and disrespect pervaded my system.

            After that incident, I asked the receptionist, She Viray if I can talk to the manager. She asked if there was a problem. I narrated to her what happened upstairs. Little did I know that she is aware of what’s happening. She even rudely told me that she didn’t know I was a transsexual woman and have she known she will not allow me. She then continued by saying that the manager is not around. Nonetheless, she called the supervisor on duty, Mr. Elmer Belarmino, who is also a gay man.  I was hoping that he will understand me better but I was mistaken.  He told me that when they called his attention about my situation, he allowed it anyway for the reason that I was already there at the female section. I calmly told him that the lady guard and some staff have already offended me by their attempt to refuse me in the female area and as well to their insensitive questions.

            However, Mr. Belarmino’s concept of transsexualism is someone whose organ is “cut-off” or “naopera” na, in which I informed him that he is using wrong, selective definitions and terms. In Filipino, I lectured him, “transsexual women are those who identify themselves as women and they may choose to express it in different nuances. It doesn’t necessarily mean that they have to undergo surgery. That is our right or your right Mr. Belarmino – to determine your own gender and live by it. I am the chairperson of Ladlad Partylist and we are looking after the welfare of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. If you can do this to me then how about those who cannot fight and assert for their rights?  Bawal po ang pagtrato ninyo sa amin. Ito po ay diskriminasyon. (You don’t treat us well. This is simply discrimination.)”  To my surprise, his response was way out of context. “Nakita ko nga sa TV yung sa UP, ano yun talagang naopera na?” (Yes, I’ve watched the UP issue in the television, but what it is? Has the person really undergone operation?).  I already felt frustrated and notified him that the UP student he saw is an ally and a sister. I related to him that the UP incident is the same to what happened to me in their spa center.

            I dig deeper and asked him if they have a policy against transsexual women. He said there was none, only that they have a list of 10 policies of those that they will prohibit inside the spa center and maybe we are like number 11 but there is no written rule. It stunned me when he compared me to a drunkard being allowed to the spa center and then the other clients might complain. I told him that it is improper to compare me to a drunkard because I am not one. It is also more unacceptable to compare transsexual women to a drunkard.  

            He further said that he cannot beat the lady guard but can only report the incident. I told him that I don’t wish to harm anyone. All I wanted is that for them especially the lady guard and staff to be more sensitive and aware of people like us rather than offending us or refusing us of services. I also held him and said: “transsexual women like me are here not to steal a look to other women or with a malevolent purpose, but to simply relax and pamper ourselves just like any human being does. Please trust me on this one, Elmer. We are transsexual women living like any biological women. We live, behave, think and feel like a woman. ” I felt so exasperated and annoyed that our discussion is going nowhere. I then bid goodbye, gave my calling card and thank him for his time and that I will take some actions to this one.

            I felt relieved somehow that I was able to gather my temerity and affirm my rights. I tried to be calm and unruffled because I wanted to deliver my message well. I always believe that disagreements can always be discussed by not exchanging in a heated and angrily manner. I don’t also want to berate other people just to declare my rights.  

            I have been exposed to discrimination in the past and no one will ever get used to it. Every time I encounter discrimination, harassment or prejudice it weakens my dignity and sense of self-worth.  I am glad that my dear sister was there to help me appease myself despite of the bigotry. She even intimated to me that she already saw and felt the agony and damage one has to experience when discriminated. She even passionately shared this sad episode to my nieces. My parents and family continue to accept, respect, recognize, and love me as their daughter and sister and I will not allow anybody to overthrow it all.

   

          The assailment of transsexual women in our community is an indication that discrimination is still very rampant. It is also a clear indication that in the LGBT community -- the transgender community is by far the most assaulted and challenged. Our hands are tied because of the absence of an anti-discrimination law and gender recognition law as well.

8 REASONS WHY WHITE MEN LIKE PHILIPPINE WOMEN: What do you think?

FILIPINA MAIL ORDER BRIDES?No, they are better than that!

Nowadays, it is very common to see a white man dating a Philippine woman. Sometimes, they even tie the knot with Philippine women and live with them for the rest of their lives. Many people might be wondering why white men like Philippine women. Here are some of the reasons.

1. Among Asian women, Philippine ladies are the ones who are best known for their exotic and oriental beauty. They also exude femininity and are also very alluring. They have won the most coveted Miss Universe title several times and other international beauty pageants such as Miss World, Miss Hawaii, and even Miss America.

2. Filipinas have very sunny disposition. They are fun to be with. Sometimes they will delight you with their stories and happy chatter while other times you will observe that daintiness in unexpected situations which is unique to Filipino women. These women are brought up to act and to be finesse, refined, delicate, and proper at all times.

3. Western men like Philippine women as wives because they have good characteristics and personalities all rolled into one petite package. These qualities include being patient, understanding, composed, generous, caring, and supportive. In a fight between couples, Filipinas will just usually keep quiet and are expected to be submissive to their husbands.

4. Moreover, in the Filipino culture, they were taught how to do house chores and how to properly manage a household because those are considered as Filipina wives' responsibilities. If you married a Filipina, expect a clean house, nice meals everyday, freshly ironed and newly washed clothes and sheets, a garden full of blooms and other plants, and basically a well-organized household and family.

5. Filipino women value their relationships and they are very loyal to their husbands. They are sometimes even viewed as martyrs in a relationship because even if they are suffering, they will just keep their silence because they do not want to cause big trouble in their relationships. They will stick with their man no matter what.

6. In a culture where families are valued greatly, Filipinas also put their family first above everything else. They will do everything to make their families' lives more comfortable and they will do whatever they can to help their husbands. They sometimes tend to forget about themselves because their husbands and their children are their top priorities.

7. White men also choose Filipina girls because of their skills in handling money. Give them a hundred bucks, and they can buy so many things with it which you can only buy if you have double the money. Filipino women have a knack for choosing the cheapest yet good quality products. They are also very patient when it comes to buying groceries. They will even compare the unit price of the products. Some will scour the section where there are discount tags or freebies while other save a lot of money by using coupons.

8. Philippine women are smart and well educated. In the Philippines, Filipinas excel in many fields more than men, even in the fields which were thought to be masculine such as engineering, computer, architecture, etc. They are diligent and hard working and can compete side by side with males.

Philippine women are unique creatures who are strong, willful, smart, charming, caring, and delicate that makes them all very attractive to white men.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Winter

MY TAKE:

WELL,I HATE TO SAY THIS BUT IN THIS ARTICLE, IT SEEMS THAT A FILIPINA IS MORE OF A COMMODITY THAN A PERSON. COME ON, A FILIPINA IS MORE THAN THAT. PERIOD!

My son is gay

Or he’s not. I don’t care. He is still my son. And he is 5. And I am his mother. And if you have a problem with anything mentioned above, I don’t want to know you.

I have gone back and forth on whether I wanted to post something more in-depth about my sweet boy and his choice of Halloween costume. Or more specifically, the reactions to it. I figure if I’m still irked by it a few days later, I may as well go ahead and post my thoughts.

Here are the facts that lead up to my rant:

1. My son is 5 and goes to a church preschool.
2. He has loved Scooby Doo since developing the ability and attention span to sit still long enough to watch it.
3. Halloween is a holiday and its main focus is wearing a costume.
4. My son’s school had the kids dress up, do a little parade, and then change out of costumes for the rest of the party.
5. Boo’s best friend is a little girl
6. Boo has an older sister
7. Boo spends most of his time with me.
8. I am a woman.
9. I am Boo’s mother, not you.

So a few weeks before Halloween, Boo decides he wants to be Daphne from Scooby Doo, along with his best friend E. He had dressed as Scooby a couple of years ago.  I was hesitant to make the purchase, not because it was a cross gendered situation, but because 5 year olds have a tendency to change their minds. After requesting a couple of more times, I said sure and placed the order. He flipped out when it arrived. It was perfect.

Then as we got closer to the actual day, he stared to hem and haw about it. After some discussion it comes out that he is afraid people will laugh at him. I pointed out that some people will because it is a cute and clever costume. He insists their laughter would be of the ‘making fun’ kind. I blow it off. Seriously, who would make fun of a child in costume?

And then the big day arrives. We get dressed up. We drop Squirt at his preschool and head over to his. Boo doesn’t want to get out of the car. He’s afraid of what people will say and do to him. I convince him to go inside. He halts at the door. He’s visibly nervous. I chalk it up to him being a bit of a worrier in general. Seriously, WHO WOULD MAKE FUN OF A CHILD IN A  COSTUME ON HALLOWEEN? So he walks in. And there were several friends of mine that knew what he was wearing that smiled and waved and gave him high-fives. We walk down the hall to where his classroom is.

And that’s where things went wrong. Two mothers went wide-eyed and made faces as if they smelled decomp. And I realize that my son is seeing the same thing I am. So I say, “Doesn’t he look great?” And Mom A says in disgust, “Did he ask to be that?!” I say that he sure did as Halloween is the time of year that you can be whatever it is that you want to be. They continue with their nosy, probing questions as to how that was an option and didn’t I try to talk him out of it. Mom B mostly just stood there in shock  and dismay.

And then Mom C approaches. She had been in the main room, saw us walk in, and followed us down the hall to let me know her thoughts. And they were that I should never have ‘allowed’ this and thank God it wasn’t next year when he was in Kindergarten since I would have had to put my foot down and ‘forbidden’ it. To which I calmly replied that I would do no such thing and couldn’t imagine what she was talking about. She continued on and on about how mean children could be and how he would be ridiculed.

My response to that: The only people that seem to have a problem with it is their mothers.

Another mom pointed out that high schools often have Spirit Days where girls dress like boys and vice versa. I mentioned Powderpuff Games where football players dress like cheerleaders and vice versa. Or every frat boy ever in college (Mom A said that her husband was a frat boy and NEVER dressed like a woman.)

But here’s the point, it is none of your damn business.

If you think that me allowing my son to be a female character for Halloween is somehow going to ‘make’ him gay then you are an idiot. Firstly, what a ridiculous concept. Secondly, if my son is gay, OK. I will love him no less. Thirdly, I am not worried that your son will grow up to be an actual ninja so back off.

If my daughter had dressed as Batman, no one would have thought twice about it. No one.

But it also was heartbreaking to me that my sweet, kind-hearted five year old was right to be worried. He knew that there were people like A, B, and C. And he, at 5, was concerned about how they would perceive him and what would happen to him.

Just as it was heartbreaking to those parents that have lost their children recently due to bullying. IT IS NOT OK TO BULLY. Even if you wrap it up in a bow and call it ‘concern.’  Those women were trying to bully me. And my son. MY son.

It is obvious that I neither abuse nor neglect my children. They are not perfect, but they are learning how to navigate this big, and sometimes cruel, world. I hate that my son had to learn this lesson while standing in front of allegedly Christian women. I hate that those women thought those thoughts, and worse felt comfortable saying them out loud. I hate that ‘pink’ is still called a girl color and that my baby has to be so brave if he wants to be Daphne for Halloween.

And all I hope for my kids, and yours, and those of Moms ABC, are that they are happy. If a set of purple sparkly tights and a velvety dress is what makes my baby happy one night, then so be it. If he wants to carry a purse, or marry a man, or paint fingernails with his best girlfriend, then ok. My job as his mother is not to stifle that man that he will be, but to help him along his way. Mine is not to dictate what is ‘normal’ and what is not, but to help him become a good person.

I hope I am doing that.

And my little man worked that costume like no other. He rocked that wig, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

source: http://nerdyapplebottom.com/

SPEAK UP: STOP DISCRIMINATION Today is Human Rights Day

10 December 2010 -- On this day in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which has become a universal standard for defending and promoting human rights. Every year on 10 December, Human Rights Day marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration. It is celebrated around the globe that "All human beings are born with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms".

This year's commemoration highlights and promotes the achievements of human rights defenders who fight to end discrimination. Human rights defenders protest abuses of human rights, advocate for justice and seek to protect the victims of human rights violations. They demand accountability for perpetrators and transparency in government action. In so doing, they are often putting at risk their own safety, and that of their families.

Some human rights defenders are famous, but most are not. They are active in every part of the world, working alone and in groups, in local communities, in national politics and internationally. 

Human Rights Day 2010 emphasizes the primary responsibility governments have in enabling and protecting human rights defenders. The Day's theme “Speak up, Stop Discrimination” is also intended to inspire a new generation of defenders to speak up and take action to end discrimination in all of its forms whenever and wherever it is manifested.

Source: Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

THE SK: Breeding Ground for Plunderers

by: June Salomon Radi

Calls for the abolition of the Sangguniang Kabataan is escalating and made by many sectors including the Catholic church. It has been proven that the sanggunian is made a training ground for corruption, teaching young minds the “art” of corruption in government.

The recently concluded election was just a glaring example of the corruption cited. Massive vote buying was just like a norm rather than an exception and people in government who were supposed to uphold the rule of law rather took it aside, were those that led the buying and assisted the vote buyers and applauded the takers and sellers, not forgetting the buyers, for making their crimes easily pulled off.

The media on the other hand made it frenzy on the airwaves, every elections, it has become a laughing matter rather than an issue to be addressed and done away.

Here are true instances of the corruption, call it your way bit I would rather call it such:

In one barangay, there were two candidates for the SK top post, and there were only 3 voters. It is true because only 5 of them qualified the age bracket while others were not interested to register. One of the registrants support one candidate while the other supports the second contender leaving only one that would make or break their ambitions. The first candidate offered the voter (P20,000) cash through his parents but the other offered him a brand new motorcycle. Well, obviously, the motorcycle was the option.

Another barangay instance was grand, the total voters were around 200 and there were two contenders. The other was the son of the incumbent punong barangay, the other was a kin of a moneyed politician. Two days before the elections, around 80 voters were herded, taken from their families one after the other so as not to create a commotion and kept it a silent maneuver, and they successfully kept the voters at bay in a resort which was an hour away from their place of residence, like they were on vacation, swimming, eating and karaoke the whole duration. On the day of the elections, they were taken to the precincts in a group of 5 and all of them were given money before departure. The maneuver succeeded and who could say there was nothing wrong with it?

Another instance happened in two barangays, I only knew  two and it is possible that it happened in many others. The result was, in these two barangays, there was only one candidate, unopposed. They were unopposed because the would be contenders were offered cash so as to discourage them from running, and they backed out The term discourage was used because the cash went with a threat. Spell it as you like, the threat.

Another instance was the bidding gone bad. The other party went to his opponent offered him P30,000. The former was insulted and replied, they could counter offer 100,000 also asking the first offeror to back out. It became a war of money and the first offeror did not know the Art of War as written by Chairman Mao Tse Tung that in order to win the war, one must “know his enemy”.

The night before the elections, if you went to the Rotonda, one cold that late night there were around 50 teenagers, sitting around the fence of the horse back riding areas in their jackets and near them was a ten wheeler truck parked, it was theirs as the others did not disembark and stayed in the open truck, resting, sleeping, talking. I asked one of them as I went passed them and she replied “hakot SK”.

The National Organization of the SK was not spared as the present National President who is an ex oficio member of the National Youth Commission is hounded by graft charges at the Office of the Ombudsman, at a very young age.

The law which created the SK which is the Local Government Code (RA 7160) I am certain was made with good intentions. It is the implementing arm of the law which made it evil, though many camps would say that the law was created with a lot of loopholes. Never have I heard of a perfect law, the Congress was blind as the law was there for more than 2 decades and not one dared to amend it for the better , and again, a lot of SK elections already went their ways.

The SK further widened the opportunity for political dynasties which is another thing that Congress has failed to define and address through an enabling law prohibiting political dynasties as stated in the 1987 Constitution. They never dared to address political dynasty as the lawmakers themselves violated it, the laws of morality and conscience. They themselves are from various dynasties and prohibiting political dynasties is for them, political suicide.

These victors of the recent SK polls were taught in their early lives how corruption works, and for sure, they themselves would constitute the people who will make this country fall deeper into debt and embarrassment, more corruption and cancer of society as Rizal pointed out.

With all these, I am hoping that Congress would address this scare of society. But on second thoughts, would they address the abolition of the SK when the SK officialdom is composed of their children, brothers, sisters, family members? I would rather wait and see.

RUFFY BIAZON'S NIGHTMARE WITH CEBU PACIFIC: It could happen to you!

A Sweet Vacation Turned Sour — Thanks to Cebu Pacific Air

by: Ruffy Biazon

It was a vacation that we had planned and yearned for, a vacation that would give me the opportunity to catch up on the lost time with my children who had endured my divided attention between them and the public.

With the kids on a long break from their school, my wife and her sisters planned a joint family vacation in Boracay, which we knew that the kids would enjoy since they all love going to the beach together.

It was a perfectly planned trip, from the reservations of the flights including reserved seating on the plane (which is a paid option offered by Cebu Pacific Air), transfers and room assignments as well as the activities that we were going to do while in the world famous island.

To sum it all up, it was a wonderful time spent with the family, filled with happy memories, unforgettable experiences for the kids (like riding the Zorb and introductory scuba diving) and precious moments with loved ones. As pristine as the powdery white sands of Boracay, our vacation was simply perfect.

But as they say, all good things must come to an end, and so our perfect vacation ended and we had to go home. Little did we know that not only was our vacation ending, it was going to be capped off on a sour note, thanks to Cebu Pacific Air’s customer service which was nowhere near satisfactory.

My initial dissatisfaction (and irritation) with Cebu Pacific had something to do with our flight booking and reservations. In order to make our travel easier, we availed of Cebu Pacific’s seat selector program where you can reserve specific seats for a fee. We decided to pay the extra amount just to make sure that we will get the seats most convenient for us and our travel plan. On the way home to Manila, we reserved the front row seats for me, my wife, our three children aged 11, 8 and 4 and one yaya.

In connection with that, we had pre-determined seating arrangement, which enabled us to better manage the kids and in case of an emergency, we had a plan of action on how to handle the children. The plane’s configuration is six seats to a row with an aisle in the middle, making it a 3-3 seating arrangement.

Our plan was to have our four year old son sit with my wife and the yaya and the 11-and 8-year old sit with me. It was all part of our family plan.

But those plans went to ruin as soon as we settled down into our seats just before the plane was set to taxi for it’s take off position. Being the front row passengers, we were the last few to board the plane. But we were told by the flight attendant that we couldn’t occupy those seats because the minimum age requirement for an emergency exit seat (which the front row seats were because they were right beside the main door) was 15 years old.

Of course we understood that it was for safety reasons, although when we checked in, it never occurred to me that passengers on the entire row had to be 15 years old and above. Form what I knew, as long as the passenger right next to the door was old and capable enough it was fine.

But safety measures are there for a reason, so it wasn;t really the issue at hand. The issue at hand was that we underwent a series of steps in the booking process where we could have been advised by Cebu Pacific about the limitations in the seating.

When we booked for the flight online, the ages of all the passengers were required. After that, when we talked to an agent to arrange for the reserved seats (which we specified to be the front row seats), the agent asked for our children’s ages. When we checked in at the airport, we were required to physically present our children to the personnel at the check in counter. In all those steps, we could easily have been informed by Cebu Pacific personnel about the safety rule of a minimum age requirement for the front row seats.

But Cebu Pacific personnel allowed us to get bookings, reservations and check in for the seats that we reserved. And paid for.

And so it was that after we had settled down in our seats, our children were asked to vacate the seats they were already sitting in. In comparison with other airlines that I have flown with both here and abroad, if safety issues require passengers to exchange seats, the flight attendants first look for a passenger willing to exchange seats and then THEY assist the passengers in moving from one seat to another.

In our Cebu Pacific experience, they simply asked us to unseat our children and transfer somewhere else. The flight was fully booked, so obviously, if our children were to transfer seats, other passengers would have to be displaced. The flight attendants did not make a move to assist us in asking other passengers but instead, a ground staff who came on board told my wife “ma’m, maupo na kayo para maka take-off na yung eroplano” (ma’m just sit down so that the plane can take off).

The Cebu Pacific staff and flight attendants acted as if it was purely our fault that the plane could not depart immediately. As we were trying to figure out how to exchange seats to comply with what the flight crew wanted, our four year old son began crying because he did not want to leave the seat he was already sitting on. All the commotion that was going on gave the other passengers the impression that we were the ones holding up the plane, on simple reason of seating arrangement. It was indeed embarrassing.

Finally, my wife and sons aged 11 and 8 were able to transfer to the second row, with our 4 year old seated on my wife’s lap since he did not want to part with her. The three passengers seated on the second row transferred to the front and one seat was left vacant. All those seats were paid for by us under the seat selection program of Cebu Pacific, but we never got to use them.

Payment for the reserved seats are not really that big an amount. But my point is that we could have been spared the additional expense, aggravation and embarrassment if Cebu Pacific had been more diligent and efficient in implementing it’s rules. As I stated, we do not have a problem with the safety rule. But it was Cebu Pacific’s inefficiency that brought us to that situation.

In addition, Cebu Pacific’s flight crew displayed utter lack of knowledge and skill in dealing with the situation, not to mention poor customer handling and communication. Instead of assisting us in finding a solution, they just stood there making comments that simply did not help.

All the while I struggled to keep my cool and just tried to pacify my son. He eventually quieted down and the rest of the flight was uneventful. I realized that it was pointless to confront the flight crew because I believed that the root of our problem (the booking, reservations and check in) was beyond them. Even their poor performance was something that needed to be taken up with their higher ups, not them.

So I decided to keep quiet and just bring the matter up to the duty manager of Cebu Pacific as soon as we landed. It has always been my belief that complaints should immediately be brought to the attention of supervisors or higher ups who can make decisions or take action. It is pointless to rant and rave to the rank and file because they are not in the position to actually do something to solve the problem. And most of the time, they are the problem. So it is best to bring it to the attention of the bosses.

Upon landing, I immediately looked for Cebu Pacific staff to ask for the duty manager. It took me a couple of minutes to find one, since at the arrival area and all the way to the baggage claim, there was no Cebu Pacific desk or staff around.

I immediately informed the person that I wanted to speak to the duty manager because I wanted to lodge a complaint. The person asked if it was about luggage because he might be able to help. I told him that I don’t think he could help because the matter of my concern was not about luggage but about the bookings and our failure to avail of the seats we paid for.

At that point, I as a paying customer, wanted to bring my concern to the attention of a responsible Cebu Pacific official because I wanted to make sure that my concern would be attended to properly. I knew that if I left the airport without making the complaint, either the company will just give me delaying tactics until I forget about it. I’ve seen it happen before.

I was told that if I wanted to talk to the manager, I could go up to his office in the third floor. I said no, I want to speak to him there at the baggage claim area because we had four big suitcases with us and I didn’t want to leave my wife and three young kids and the yaya waiting by themselves.

The person said that the manager was busy and that perhaps I can just go up to the office. I reiterated that I wanted to speak to the manager personally and if he could come down to meet with me. I also stressed that I was a paying customer who wanted to complain and I believed that it was the manager who could address my concern. I asked the person to specifically tell the manager that I wanted to file a complaint before him.

The person I was talking to left and returned after about 13 minutes. He then told me that the manager was busy. So I asked him, “Is he too busy to talk to a complaining customer?”. The guy simply repeated that the manager was busy. He then asked me to fill up a complaint form.

In the past, I have filled up so many complaint forms and 100% of the time, nothing happened. That’s how it is here in this country, whether government or private, complaint forms have a way of simply fading away. That’s why I wanted to speak to the manager person to person.

But it seemed that he was too busy to attend to a complaining customer. Is this a reflection of company attitude towards the customers they are supposed to serve? What kind of customer service philosophy are they teaching in Cebu Pacific?

So my original complaint regarding the booking, reservations and check in got bumped down the ladder of importance. That duty manager, who was too busy to attend to a complaining customer, or even assign someone else to at least hear me out, suddenly became number one on the list.

I filled out the form, expecting that it will get nowhere, but I am determined not to let this pass. The person who was talking to me, the one who gave me the form, said that I can call customer service. I said not only will I bring this matter up to customer service, I will bring this matter up to their top honcho.

Now, if I do that and still, nothing happens, then I shouldn’t be blamed if I call Cebu Pacific Airlines the crappiest airline I’ve ever flown. (www.ruffybiazon.ph)

to where? i do not know...

HONGKONG LABOR ATTACHE BULLIES LOWLY VICTIMIZED OFW: Talking about unsung heroes

Agnes, the distressed overseas Filipino worker (OFW), clicked her mobile phone on record as she entered his office. Imagine the horror she had at every moment with him.

His name is Romulo Salud, the labor attache of the Philippines to Hong Kong.

Some people call him Romy. I CALL HIM MONSTERIN A GOVERNMENT POST!

In the said meeting, Labatt Salud told Tenorio: ‘Wag mong gagamitin yang karapatan. Dahil karapatan ko rin… kung tatanggapin kita o hindi. Wag mong pagdidiinan mo sa akin yang karapatan mo ha?’  [Don’t use the word “right”. Because it is also my right if I am going to accept you or not.]

FR ROBERT REYES TALKS TO BB GANDANG HARI

 FR. Robert Reyes said, his homophobia is gone, and is wary that the church may take it against him. Though the conversation did not really hit the eye of the social stigma, let it be understood that being gay is not synonymous to perversion. 

Kudos to both for having been open minded and unbiased. I pray more people would see like Fr. Reyes in society....

FACEBOOK BANS PHOTO, WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT?

THIS IS A PHOTO OF KYLIE, HOLDING A BEAR. SHE IS A SINGER, THUS THE MICROPHONE. WHAT IS APPALLING IS, THE PHOTO HAS BEEN BANNED BY FACEBOOK.

I SEE IT AS A FORM OF CENSORSHIP, MISPLACED CENSORSHIP.

I AM ONE WITH BRIAN GORRELL IN THOUGHT.

HAS FACEBOOK LOST ITS INTEGRITY AND PURPOSE?