SHINING THROUGH WITH PAL –– We doff our hat to the Philippine Air Lines (PAL) that brought us to New Zealand from Manila via Cairns in Australia last Wednesday.

We found out that not only Filipinos but other nationalities, too, including the New Zealanders are taking advantage of the direct flight from Manila to Auckland and vice versa which started in December last year for thrice–weekly flights.

Methinks that the reason why PAL is cornering the passenger market along the newly opened direct line from Manila to Auckland is travelers trust the reliability of our very own Philippine flag carrier over any other airlines.

In our first trip to NZ in 2012, we flew with Australia’s flag carrier Qantas. However, in 2014, our son who is now a citizen of that country, sent us round trip PAL tickets Manila-Sydney-Manila.

Since the experience was not only good but superb the first time around, we again picked PAL over other airlines on our second trip to NZ, not because of the sense of pride that one would get in riding on a carrier that flies the Philippine flag and greets its passengers with “MABUHAY”, but also because of its good and efficient service.

Most of those who flew with us in that flight were happy and contented when we arrived at our destination, all in praises for the pilot and his crew who treated the passengers with utmost courtesy, the most enviable quality of a Filipino. – Leonardo Micua

GAS STATION TO AVOID –– Be careful and watchful when you gas up.

Last Wednesday I was in Lingayen to refill my gas tank. The gasoline boy, as in other stations, said, “Ma’am zero zero po”, which means the fuel dispensers have been cleared for pumping gas.

So as the machine started, I turned to the indicator and to my surprise it immediately showed P25.

Frantic, I called the gasoline boy’s attention but he signaled to me to wait since he was busy with another car.  He came back to me while the dispenser was still pumping gas in my car.

When I asked him why the amount started at P25, he went on to explain that something’s wrong with their machine. “Pero okay lang ma’am, kasi naikarga naman yung diesel,” he assured me.

“How could that be? I was shortchanged,” I complained.

But he insisted sheepishly and assured me tentatively that there was nothing to worry about.

“Papaano mo ipapaliwanag na naikarga na yung P25 worth of diesel samantalang nag-umpisa yung pag-andar agad agad sa P25?” I pressed on.  He could not explain.

Exasperated, I just paid for gas’ full tank.

So beware when gas boys tell: “Ma’am zero –zero na!” when you gas up especially at the Shell Gas Station along Barangay Tonton in Lingayen. — Tita Roces

 

INCLUSIVE APPROACH — I commend the Malasiqui Police Station (MPS), the local government unit of Malasiqui and the Malasiqui Pastors Association (MAPA) who are actively working on the campaign against illegal drugs as a team. They are not merely into arresting and encouraging pushers and users to surrender but for the rehabilitation of persons once involved in illegal drugs.

Although they are confronted with the problem of lack of funds to support costs of rehabilitation, they actively find a way to cope with the situation even in the absence of immediate aid from the national government. MAPA members have volunteered to do the counseling, which is vital since the root cause of men’s wickedness is actually a spiritual issue based from Romans 3:23 of the bible. The LGU on the other hand, is now busy preparing plans and making arrangements for the training for the surrendered personalities while PNP is continuously creating programs to help the cause. One of which is the ‘Adopt a Pusher or User’ project that aims to remove the stigma attached to the surrendered persons. To clarify, “adopt” here means to have constant communication with a former drug addict or pusher, to monitor his rehabilitation progress, to give him opportunities such as a job but not necessarily bringing him to the volunteer’s home.

I hope our law enforcers have formed the same mindset, that not all pushers and users are hopeless cases deserving of instant death, that some, some can still be saved from illegal drugs, unless that person indeed resisted arrest and posed danger to the law officers or civilians. — Hilda Austria

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