The Yuletide Season has Finally Reached the Mactan-Cebu International Airport

Last November 22, 2019, GMR MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC), together with the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), has officially welcomed the start of the Christmas season in Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) as it lit up its 20-feet tall Christmas tree at the new Airport Village.

The program started with the merry and jingly performance of the Sisters of Mary Handbell Choir as they ring the bells to the medley of beloved Christmas classics.

GMCAC Chief Operations Officer Michael Lenane gave his opening remarks and expressed his delight and gratitude of the incoming Christmas season to be spent with the passengers.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan and first lady Cindy Chan, Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Officer Edward Mendez, MCIAA General Manager Steve Dicdican, GMCAC Chief Operations Officer Michael Lenane, and Deputy Chief Commercial Officer Christina Angan made their way in front of the majestic tree where each were handed a handbell. A countdown was started and finally, the VIPs rang the handbells followed by a confetti shower, signifying the official start Christmas season in the Airport Village.

Shimmery blue lights illuminated the 20-ft tall tree which was decked with red, silver and black fedoras, candy cane-colored wreaths, large silver roses and colorful jest trinkets, completed by a yellow-lit star on top. The flamboyantly-decorated tree that fascinated the passing passengers coheres to the year’s theme “The Greatest Snowman” which was based on the famous circus-themed movie.

Adhering to the theme, the Knapsack Dancers gave the audience a taste of circus with their fluid choreography and P.T. Barnum-inspired costumes while two dancers grabbed the limelight as well with their flexible and heart-stopping pole dancing.

Deputy Chief Commercial Officer Christina Angan proudly declared the grand winner of the MCIA’s first ‘Shop and Win’ Raffle Promo Vanessa Ann Ayade who would receive a Mercedes-Benz A Class A180 2019 model. Such raffle draw was also considered monumental as it was the first time ever for an airport in the entire country to held a raffle draw of a car worth two million pesos.

GMCAC Associate Manager for Advertising Audrey Inocencio introduced an upcoming second ‘Shop and Win’ Raffle Promo where the grand winner will receive a Harley-Davidson Superlow motorcycle 2019 model.

The promo will run from 28 November 2019 to 16 February 2020 and is open to all domestic and international passengers that arrive at or depart from Mactan-Cebu International Airport’s Terminals 1 and 2 (T1 & T2). Interested passengers must have a minimum single-receipt purchase worth either P500 in selected T1 shops, P1000 in selected T2 shops or US$60 in selected T1 and T2 shops. The grand winner will be announced during the grand raffle draw scheduled on 17 February 2020.

Cebu Safari and Adventure Park Sales and Marketing Manager Carina Escario encouraged the spectators to spend the Christmas season in Cebu’s grandest conservation park Cebu Safari and Adventure Park in Toril, Carmen where everyone especially the kids can witness and be aware of some endangered and endemic species of Kingdom Animalia.

The program ended with the mandatory photo opportunity with the VIPs and the media crew. Bystanders could not help themselves as well but to pose and take pictures in front of the glitzy Christmas tree.

MCIA PRESS CONFERENCE

            GMCAC Branding Manager Giovanni Ruiz laid out some Christmas activities that would be about to be witnessed and experienced the MCIA passengers during the season.

 “It has always been our effort to align with the positioning of being the country’s friendliest resort airport by often delighting our passengers something extra,” he emphasized.

 On December 16, 17 and 18, a series of five to six shows that mishmash Christmas and The Greatest Showman movie would feature a full cast of circus performers and introduce P.T. Snowman, the leader of the traveling troupe. Aerialists, pole dancers, giants on stilts, jugglers and magicians are just some of the expected performers that would greet the arriving and departing passengers of Terminals 1 and 2.

 There would also be an anticipated Misa de Gallo from 6 to 7 PM at Terminal 1 Airport Chapel. MCIA is inviting non-passengers and people residing in nearby barangays to participate in the mass.

The commercial team are also working with some of the airport’s concessionaires and tenants to hold a bazaar at the Pre-terminal for the Christmas season.

MCIAA Public Affairs Manager Mary Ann Dimabayao presented the Oplan Byaheng Ayos Pasko 2019 that would run from 16 December 2019 to 6 January 2020. With the surge of incoming and outgoing passengers during the season, the said Oplan established 24/7-manned help desks that would cater the passenger needs. The help desks are found in Terminal 1, Terminal 1 Departure Area and Terminal 2.

 MCIAA together with GMCAC, Philippine Coast Guard, periphery barangays and neighboring hospitals will be spearheading SEACREX or Sea Crash Exercises which is a first among the Philippine airports. It was usually done inside the airport but for this year, the said exercise would take place in the sea particularly the Mactan Channel. MCIAA would also introduce the Media Center, Family and Relatives Reception Center, Survivors Reception Area and Reunion Area which would serve as preparation for unforeseen accidents that may take place in the sea.

GMCAC Associate Manager for Advertising Audrey Inocencio recounted the newly opened stores in the airport. In the South wing of Terminal 1 Departure area, illy Caffé and Nomad for retail is now open for business. At the Airport Village, passengers can now drop by at Casa Verde and Nippon Ramen. Retail and F&B of local and international brands are expected to join the airport community in the next few weeks.

MCIA is also cooking up a lot of partnerships for promos next year. Passengers can expect an incoming three big raffles that would take place in summer, July period and Christmas season.

Cebu Safari and Adventure Park Sales and Marketing Manager Carina Escario gave updates of the exciting things happening and to happen in the said park. Cebu Safari and Adventure Park was recently the new home to white lions last August and guests can have a whole new level of safari experience with a 20 to 30 minute guided tour inside the white lions’ den while riding a special glass-enclosed tram. This December, there would be new residents of the park including spider monkey, black jaguar, puma, patas monkey and the birds of the world. Locals and tourists can also expect to meet elephants, rhinos, mountain bears and the American bison soon.

There was also a soft opening of the Safari Camp where guests can stay overnight or for a week. Campers can choose from deluxe cabins, two-bedroom cabin and three-bedroom cabin for family or barkadahan getaways. At the camp, campers can access to Infinity pool, outdoor Jacuzzi, bonfire pits and the popular Serengeti Bar with its al fresco dining and breathtaking view of Camotes Sea and mountains.

The giant swing is also the newest addition to the parks’ many adventure gimmicks such as ATV, the country’s longest and deepest zipline and skybike among many others. The latest swing is situated on top of a hill and is rumored to allow the swinger see the north tip and south tip of Cebu. Such feat can truly be enjoyed by the brave and adventure hearts.

Escario wanted to clarify the misconception of the people towards the said park as it was commonly mistaken as a theme park or treated at the level of a zoo.

“We are not a theme park. First and foremost, we are a conservation park and we are a sanctuary for flora and fauna,” she emphasized.

She continued that they are a conservation park with a twist such as making learning for children and adults fun by incorporating the aforementioned adventure rides. The Cebu Safari and Adventure Park has also partnered with schools and companies for its conservation advocacy that aims for children in all states of life to meet the endangered and rare animals