Okay, call me harsh.
I have yet to blog about my trip to Asia. It has been a month since I returned and my memories still take me back there. Why is it that opportunities come at the wrong time sometimes? It is highly unlikely that I will get an opportunity like that again.
Anyway, let’s get off that subject before I get too mushy! I want to talk about our airport in Manila. First of all, I am all for attracting tourists and promoting tourism all over the world. With the help of ABS-CBN, GMA 7, The Filipino Channel and all sorts of media outlets, like blogs and such – we could definitely succeed in promoting our country.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the Philippines. I love the people. What bothered me was the fact that among all the Asian countries I visited – the worst airport was the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. I was pleased to land at the Centennial Airport via Singapore Airlines. I was pleased as well by the fact that I was out of the Airport in about a half hour without any crazy lines and all. I didn’t even get hassled by Philippine Customs or Immigration. I used to hear a lot of horrible stories about how they ask for bribes to get you through. That wasn’t the case at all.
What bothered me was the fact that we are promoting tourism as if there is no tomorrow. Blasted on each of the Filipino channel that I watch are seascapes, island getaways, and of course our beautiful sunsets. That’s fine and all but when you think about it, if you own a house and you know that your house is getting old, you would want to repair and beautify the most obvious part – the living room or the kitchen for that matter. This is where you welcome the people, and this is where present yourself.
I went to 5 airports. I flew to Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, and Manila. First, Singapore – awesome airport! It was like walking inside a mall or a first class hotel. Next stop, Malaysia – cool airport as well, very clean and organized. Hong Kong? You got it – it was nice too. I thought when I got to Shanghai, it would have been the least of the five airports I would see. I got to Manila and I was appalled!
With all the money that our government boasts of receiving from OFWs, the economy rising, and more tourists coming to visit – I would think we would clean up our living room! It was the worst. You walk around this airport and you see cables hanging from the ceiling, busted lights, worn counters and cabinets. The waiting room is so tiny, it is smaller than my living room. The smoking room – - whoah! The vents are filthy and yellow with nicotine and the signs are hand-painted ‘poorly’.
Come on peeps! I want to be proud of my own country~! I want to brag about how much we are improving, and how neat our airports are. But I can’t. Does anyone in the government go through the airport every time they go overseas? Does President Arroyo ever visit the airport? It was very disappointing. I am not sure about the NAIA3 Airport that they keep talking about and the scandal (425 million in lost investments – USD) that surrounds it; but I hope that is MUCH MUCH BETTER than the airport that I saw.
Am I off line here? Let’s get a movement to get our airport fixed or better yet – get our government to make our airport the best in Asia! Take a look a the pictures below:
