Smile: Inflight Magazine of Cebu Pacific Air

Be a Star in Smile

THE BEST OF 2008

AS 2008 COMES TO A AS 2008 COMES TO A CLOSE, WE LOOK BACK CLOSE, WE LOOK BACK ON A YEAR OF AMAZING ON A YEAR OF AMAZING INTERNATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC EVENTS ACROSS DOMESTIC EVENTS ACROSS CEBU PACIFIC’S GROWING CEBU PACIFIC’S GROWING FLIGHT NETWORK. IF FLIGHT NETWORK. IF YOU WEREN’T PART OF YOU WEREN’T PART OF THE ACTION THIS YEAR, THE ACTION THIS YEAR, THERE’S ALWAYS NEXT THERE’S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR! LILLEDESHAN BOSE REVIEWS THE YEAR THAT WAS

JANUARY Kalibo Known as the most colorful fiesta in the country with its wild revelry and pageantry, the Ati-Atihan festival took place last January, the second Sunday after the feast of Epiphany in Kalibo, Aklan. Dancers painted their faces in black soot and dressed in their outlandish feathered costumes, taking part in three days of merry parades and feasting in the streets in honor of the Sto Niño. The heart-pounding beats of drums, trumpets and gongs captured the locals’ Christian and pagan roots.
FEBRUARY Ho Chi Minh The Tet Festival marks the beginning of spring in Vietnam. It was particularly festive in the city of Ho Chi Minh this year with food, flowers and firecrackers. The fireworks are said to repel the evil spirit Na A, who is frightened by noise and bright lights and are lit before the onset of the new year. Festivities also included circus performances, music, food stalls and large servings of banh tet — sticky rice cakes. Since Cebu Pacific started their Ho Chi Minh route just last April, you can catch the Tet Festival next year!
MARCH Pampanga Although much of the Philippines comes to a standstill during Holy Week, many of its rituals are fascinating (albeit sometimes shocking) to watch. On Good Friday, catch a re-enactment of Christ’s crucifixion in the province of Pampanga. Those seeking atonement for their sins, were flogged in the streets as they made their way to a cross where they were then nailed to it in a gruesome spectacle.
APRIL Osaka In springtime in Japan, the cherry blossoms reflected in the Ookawa River turn Osaka into a blooming urban zen. Cherry Blossom viewing at Kemasakuranomiya Park began back in 1883 at the Mint Bureau. This year, the mint’s 370 cherry trees in 120 varieties were on view for seven days from April 16 to 22, all for free! And now that Cebu Pacific flies to Osaka, you can plan your April trip way in advance!
MAY Singapore Last May, the annual Great Singapore Sale transformed the serene and sunny city state into heaven on earth for die-hard shopaholics. Extended store hours and plenty of discounts drew tourists here to shop with a vengeance for clothes, shoes, jewelry, electronic goods and cosmetics. Even local tourist sights, dining establishments and shows were on special promotion for visitors — just additional license for retail therapy!
JUNE Guangzhou The Dragon Boat Festival is in honor of Qu Yuan, a 3rd century poet-statesman who drowned himself to protest the corrupt government. Followers threw zongzi (rice dumplings) and paddled dragon boats to scare the fish away from their leader. This year, the dragon boat race took place in Guangzhou’s Pearl River. Afterwards, the locals feasted on plenty of zongzi and drank baijiu (Chinese wine) amid the revelry.
JULY Shanghai Near the end of July, Shanghai hosted its annual Beer Festival on the historic Bund along the Huangpu River. A plethora of Asian and Australian brews were served against classic Shanghai buildings. Of course, there were savory dumplings and spicy Kung Pao to enjoy. An important lesson for next year: say you want “da bing de ping pijiu” — a tall, cold bottle of beer — and order the local Shanghai beer Tsingtao.
AUGUST MALAYSIA For the first time, the MTV Asia Awards took place in Malaysia, showcasing the very best of global pop music. The event’s sixth anniversary, held at the 6,000-capacity Arena of Stars in Genting, was hosted by actor and 30 Seconds to Mars singer Jared Leto. Dance crew Jabbawokeez, emo kids Panic at the Disco and Brit pop star Leona Lewis all took the stage. Yes, the Pussycat Dolls had to tone down their super-sexy look in the conservative Muslim country a notch (no fines for “sexually suggestive routines” this time), but a good time was had by all, anyway.
SEPTEMBER Singapore The Lion City of Singapore staged a coup of firsts with the Formula One Grand Prix on September 28. It was the first night race in Formula 1 history, as well as the first street race held in Asia. Before Singapore, the only F1 city track built for the Grand Prix was in Monte Carlo, and the tourism board justified the SG$150 million circuit by playing it up with three weeks of corollary festivities: the River Festival, Chinatown’s Mid-Autumn Festival, Little India’s Deepavali Festival of Lights, and the Biennale Art installations.
OCTOBER BACOLOD The Masskara Festival, made famous by dancers gyrating in colorful masks on the streets of Bacolod, turned the”City of Smiles” into a festive masked party. During Masskara, beauty pageants, carnivals, drum competitions, food and sporting events and live music made Bacolod the place to be last October.
NOVEMBER MACAU Originally conceived n 1954 as a treasure hunt, the 55th Macau Grand Prix, was held last November 13 to 16 on the streets of Macau. As the only street circuit racing event that includes both car and motorcycle races, it drew more than 300 race car drivers and riders to the city. The exciting Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix involved a highly challenging circuit with fast straights and tight corners. It’s known to be one of the most difficult races in the world.
DECEMBER DUMAGUETE AND BACOLOD The Kasadyaan Festival (Mardi Gras) is held annually on December 12 to 14, and was founded 50 years ago to add color and vibe to the Christmas season. The celebrations include beauty pageants, field presentations and dance performances. In Bacolod, 61 barangays participated in the Annual Lantern Festival, rivaling each other for the brightest and most beautiful parol creation of the year.