The return leg of Cebu Pacific’s inaugural flight to Dubai brought home 100 OFWs who won Cebu Pacific and GMA Pinoy TV’s 100 Lucky Juans promo. Upon their arrival in Manila on Tuesday, they were brought to Resorts World Manila for a reunion with their loved ones. Cebu Pacific president Lance Gokongwei (second from left) welcomes the promo winners.
MANILA, Philippines—The maiden flight of budget carrier Cebu Pacific Air to Dubai opened up business opportunities for both the airline and the country.
On Tuesday, the return leg of the inaugural flight brought home 100 overseas Filipino workers from the Middle East who won Cebu Pacific’s and GMA Pinoy TV’s 100 Lucky Juans promo.
The OFWs came from the United Arab Emirates—a country many of them now call their second home.
Upon arrival in Manila on Tuesday, they were brought to Resorts World Manila for a reunion with their loved ones at Newport Mall.
The returning Filipinos were treated to a variety program, including an interpretative dance by Cebu Pacific’s cabin crew.
A highlight of the affair was the welcome speech by Cebu Pacific president Lance Gokongwei.
“When we first envisioned launching low-cost long-haul services, we knew that we would fly to where Filipinos were. We pledged to fill a need for direct flights on the lowest fares, so you could spend more time with your loved ones.
“It is very fulfilling for everyone in the Cebu Pacific team that our flights have reunited you, our hardworking kababayans, with your families here today. Thank you for making our maiden Dubai-Manila flight a very meaningful one,” Gokongwei said.
The 100 winners were named in the promo’s 14-week run from June 3 to Sept. 2.
To join, the contestants had to “like” the official Cebu Pacific Facebook page, click on the 100 Lucky Juans application, and answer the question: “How will I make my homecoming in the Philippines fun?”
Answers were submitted as a photo collage, two-minute video or essay of 200 words or less. These were judged based on creativity, adherence to the theme and the number of “likes” they garnered on the social networking site. The contestant’s length of stay in the UAE was also a factor in the results.
Cebu Pacific’s flight to Dubai marked the first time a Philippine carrier landed in the Arab country in 15 years. It also marked the launch of the budget carrier’s first long-haul route.—Miguel R. Camus