AIRLINE SEATS FOR SALE

CARREO by Rolando S. Luzong

Peoples Tonight (April 14, 2010)

AIRLINE SEATS FOR SALE

With my regular sorties to Tacloban over the last three months, as well as travels to Cagayan de Oro, Davao and now Iloilo, it is very obvious that the air transport industry is on a roll and business is really booming.

In my last take-off from Tacloban just this past Saturday, the long lines of passengers waiting to get their boarding passes were so much that they almost extended pass the airport doors. And the chance passengers hoping that listed passengers don’t show up were a lot more than the regular. There was this guy begging another passenger before him on the line, to give him the slot because he has an international flight to catch in Manila. Business is really gooooooodddddd.

But wait, why on earth is Philippine Airlines, with all the money coming in, came up with the most stupid income generating idea ever, to be able to add a few pesos more to their millions by SELLING THE EXIT ROW SEATS.

Yes…you read it right, PAL is asking for a fee of P300.00 if you want an EXIT ROW SEAT.

With my long legs and huge frame I would always ask for an EXIT ROW SEAT every time I line up for a boarding pass. And I see to it that I am at the airport much earlier than the others just to get that EXIT ROW SEAT because it is simply much more comfortable for me to seat there. The airline personnel would normally look at me first, to see if I’m capable enough to open the exit doors in case of emergency which is actually what is expected and is required of any person seating on an EXIT ROW SEAT. Almost always, if an EXIT ROW is available I will get it. Then inside the plane, the stewardess will explain to me that considering that I am seating in the EXIT ROW then I should be ready to lend a hand in case I will be asked to.

Nowadays, things have changed. When boarding a PAL plane and you ask for the EXIT ROW SEAT you will have to shell out P300.00 and because very few are willing to spend P300.00 more for a seat then the EXIT ROW SEATS are always left vacant. One time there was one passenger who has an excess P300.00 to spare and she got the EXIT ROW SEAT. She’s probably 65 years old, about 4 feet tall and definitely doesn’t look capable of opening the doors in case of emergency.

In my Manila-Iloilo flight last Sunday, I asked the stewardess if I can transfer to the all vacant EXIT ROW SEATS, she said no. I asked who will open the door in case of emergency she said they will decide on that when the time comes. I said, “don’t call me.”

Don’t laugh, I am not joking.

KILL THE ROOSTERS THAT WILL BE SENT

TO THE PHILIPPINES

In one of our interviews last Monday in Iloilo, one balikbayan farm owner from Miami told us that the PETA people in the U.S. are running amok raiding rooster farms. One game farm raided wherein more than 100 cocks were euthanized was in New Jersey and the reason for the attack was that because the roosters being raised are intended to be shipped and fought in the Philippines.

Crazy is it not? But I am not surprised because I know how these animal rights wackos operate. They just have to continue advancing so their donors continue sending money.

Like what I wrote last Sunday, let us join hands to kick this PETA and HSUS people out of the Philippines. Don’t let them take away our sport and passion.

Don’t just raise and fight roosters. We also have an obligation to teach, orient and explain to non-cockers and the uninitiated what sabong is and the many good things derived from it.

And like the advice of my friend Speedy Gonzales of California, let us bring the whole family to the cockpit and make it a family affair just like watching the movies or going shopping.

Would you rather bring them to the cockpit or allow animal rights people to contaminate their minds that sabong is cruelty and it should be stopped.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH for the warm welcome accorded to us by the distinguished breeders of Panay Island that we visited for the Inilog portion of Tukaan. They are the Dela Pena Brothers of Guimaras; Charlie Lazzaraga of Barotac Nuevo, Jesry Palmares of Passi City; Ronald & Junior Labordo of Leganes; Atty. Jojo Lutero of Janiuay; Mike Tiu of Sta. Barbara; Biong Ong of San Jose, Antique with their champion breeders Gary Encarnacion, Jojo Fornier and Rommel Lazo. We also thank the breeders of Roxas City Marcu & Joel del Rosario as well as Boracay’s Rufo Sacapanio. And of course the kimd assistance of former Thunderbird Gamefowl Specialist for Iloilo Dra. Merlita Justalero.

BAKBAKAN 2009 DERBY STAKES P30M PRIZE PURSE

The 2009 Annual Bakbakan National 10-Stag Derby is back into its record-breaking way again as its host - the National Federation of Gamefowl Breeders (NFGB) dangles a historic guaranteed cash prize of P30,000,000 – the biggest prize purse ever in Philippine cockfighting.

The champion’s prize is a whopping P15 million. All entries who will be able to score a 3 wins (3 points) in the elimination round will share in the “first-salvo blowout” of four million peso (P4,000,000) while those entries who have already scored the perfect 3 wins in the elims and continue to score another perfect 3 wins in the semi-final round, for an over-all score of 6 wins before entering the finals,will share in the “finalists prize” of two million-pesos(P2,000,000). Last year, only 15 entries were undefeated and have posted six points each going into the finals.

For “any 7 points” – P4 million; for “any 8 points” – P2.5 million; for “any 9 points” – P1.5 million; for the overall runner-up finisher, prize is P500,000, while the champion’s handler and champion’s gaffer prizes are P400,000 and P100,000, respectively. Entry fee is P15,000.

“Bakbakan is the Filipino breeders' derby and through the years we have made sure and have put in place a proven system that ensure fairness and equal winning chance for every participant”, stated Batac, Ilocos Norte Mayor Jess Nalupta who is NFGB’s Vice President for North Luzon.

“Wingband numbers and legitimacy of stags fielded are duly authenticated by double checking with our records and not just by the basis of the breeder’s screening receipt”, Freddie Yulo - one of NFGB’s founding director, proudly announced. "all derbies are computer-matched and supervised by our well trained working committees" he adds!

THUNDERBIRD’S JESRY PALMARES IS SOLO CHAMP IN MANNY PACQUIAO DERBY

Former Passi City Mayor Jesry Palmares , one of the country’s most respected gamefowl breeders, scored a rare 9 wins and 1 draw out of ten fights to take solo championship and runner-up honors in the much talked-about bigtime 5-cock derby hosted by Manny Pacquiao & Wackee Salud last July 12 in Cebu.

A leading endorser of gamefowl industry leader Thunderbird as one of the regarded “Breeder of Breeders”, Palmares fielded two entries. The first - Southern Leyte, backed by Gov. Damian Mercado and Maasin Mayor Shepherd Tan, closed with a perfect 5-0 win-loss card to take solo victory, while, Jesry’s other entry JJT Armenic (with Kapt. Goto and Tony “Acao” Go) was just as impressive with 4.5 points. Fighting alongside Palmares is his partner Teng Rañola.

“I fielded 6 Cowans, 1 Flarry-eyed, a Bobby-grey and two imported roosters. 6 are bullstags and the rest are more than 3 years old” Jesry revealed, as he added that Thunderbird Bexan XP b-complex injectable and Thunderbird Strongard dewormer were used during conditioning.

The high stakes event held at the Gallera de Mandaue, gave out more than P4 million in cash prizes with 43 entries paying entry fee of P110,000 each.