Fun in flight

Just as I'm a huge fan of planes and plane rides, I'm also a huge fan of airline safety videos.

Yup, I'm one of the few people who actually watch and relish the in-flight safety videos. To a point that I critique them and have my personal favorites.

Top of mind favorites are the quirkiness of JAL's in-flight video, the Glee-inspired version of Virgin America, and the simple elegance of Cathay Pacific's video.

Yesterday, I saw the new in-flight safety video of PAL, and I was super duper amazed!



Theirs was a new and inclusive concept that not only showed the safety aspects of the flight, it also showed the beauty of the Philippines and the charm of our people! I can watch this video over and over again. (Which I probably will.)

Well played, PAL. Well played.

On the Rise

It's actually a funny thing. I get to watch more movies in flight than in movie houses.

Example, during the flight from MNL to ATL last July, I was able to watch the following films: Batman vs. Superman, Tangled, The Dressmaker and My Name is Doris. And that's just from one flight. There were 3 more that followed after.

This is the reason why a good entertainment system is one of my considerations when choosing an airline. After all, you'll be stuck in a plane for hours, so might as well use them productively.

During my last trip to Tokyo via PAL, they had an entertainment system called "My PAL." It's basically an iPad filled with music, movies and tv shows that you can watch at your own pace. Which was awesome!

It was during this flight that I caught this biblical epic film entitled "Risen." It was the story of a Roman soldier who was asked to investigate the disappearance of Christ from the tomb, and how this experience changed his faith.

It was a riveting film that kept me glued from start to finish! Now, it's a film that goes up there with my favorite Biblical films including "Jesus Christ Superstar," and "Jesus of Nazareth."

The PAL incident

In the continuing saga of "Lester doesn't look like a Filipino..."

On the way home, I took a PAL flight and was seated near the end of the plane. It was a 4-row seat and the aisle seat was mine. The three other seats were occupied by our "bagong bayanis."

Since I had heavy breakfast before the flight, i didn't feel like eating lunch. So when the flight attendant arrived with that irritating little trolley of his, this conversation ensued:

FA: Seafood with noodle or Pork with rice?

ME: Can I just have water with ice, please...

FA: Yes sir, but what would you like to eat? Seafood with noodle or Pork with rice?

ME: Nothing. Just give me water with ice.

FA: Why sir? Do you have special dietary needs? Are you vegetarian? Can I offer you something else?

ME: No, it's just that i'm not hungry. So if you can give me water with ice, that would be great.

FA: Sure, sir.

He gives me my drink and scoots away with his cart.

There I was, drinking my cold glass of water while reading Mabuhay Magazines, while the 3 bagong bayanis were starting to eat their lunch. Now, everyone who flies will know that the economy class seats are a bit cramped and too close to each other. Whatever conversation that takes place is likely to be heard by everyone within a 3 feet radius.

Here's what the 3 bagong bayanis talked about: (to help you visualize, BB3 was seated next to me, followed by BB2 and BB1)

BB 1: Alam mo, hiningi mo na lang sana yung pagkain ng katabi mo. Hindi niya naman pala kukunin eh. *giggle, giggle*

BB 3: Ano ba kayo. Baka naman akalain nila gutom na gutom tayo.

BB 2: Sayang naman kasi, noh! Binayaran niya na yung pagkain eh hindi naman niya kakainin. Sana pinamigay niya na lang.

BB 3: Bayaan niyo na siya. Eh sa ayaw niyang kumain.

This was followed by sounds of munching and the clinking of plastic utensils. After a few minutes of silence:

BB 1: Alam mo, yang katabi mo, mukha nga siyang pihikan sa pagkain. Tignan mo yung katawan niya. (She was, of course, referring to me.)

BB 2: Oo nga, mukha nga siyang sosyalin. Tignan mo yung balat niya.

BB 1: Siguro hindi yan kumakain ng pagkaing hindi class (pronounced kluzzz) kaya siguro ayaw niyang kumain ng pagkain sa eroplano.

BB 3: Ano ba kayo, pabayaan niyo na lang siya kung ayaw niyang kumain.

Of course at that point, I figured out that they thought I was a foreigner who didn't speak nor understand a word of Tagalog. And since I didn't want to embarrass them, I chose to just shut up and let the whole thing pass.

The meal was finished and the tray tables were cleared. I decided to catch a little shut eye since I couldn't really sleep the night before. My eyes were closed and my consciousness was drifting, then suddenly this conversation began:

BB 1: (to BB 3) 'Diba magaling kang mag-Ingles? Kausapin mo yung katabi mo para may kausap naman siya.

BB 2: (to BB 3) Oo nga. Guwapo siya, ha. Kamukha siya ni Carlos Agassi. (writer's note: I don't think I do!)

BB 1: (to BB 3) Sige naaaaa.... Di ba single ka pa. Malay mo, maging boyfriend mo yan. *giggle, giggle*

BB 3: Ano ba kayo?!? Parang anak ka na lang yan, noh. Ang tanda-tanda ko na.

BB 2: Eh ano ngayon? Tignan mo si Demi Moore, 'diba mas bata sa kanya ang boyfriend niya?

I was desperately trying not to laugh or show emotion since I was supposedly asleep. But part of me just SOOOO wanted to stand up and laugh at all of them. I wanted to say: WAHAHAAA! Naiintindihan ko kayo kanina pa! WAHAHAAA! But of course, I restrained myself and proceeded to sleep.

Fast forward 30 minutes after. The plane has landed and people were getting their baggage from the overhead bin. BB 3 was trying to reach for her bag, so I decided to help her. Right after giving her the carry on luggage she brought, she tells me:

BB 3: Thank you very much. You're very nice. (of course, if I spelled this as she said it, it would read: Tenk you bery much. Yor bery nayssss.)

ME: You're welcome. (then smile)

BB 1: Uyyyyy. Nagkakamabutihan na sila....

Now how's that for "Flying the Friendly Skies..."