Roy Morales flew from Los Angeles to Manila nearly every year on a 12-hour Philippine Airlines flight.
The attendants were friendly, the service good and "besides, what other airline serves rice and adobo?" said the retired social worker and teacher, referring to the popular Filipino pork and chicken dish, seasoned with garlic, vinegar and soy sauce.
For Morales and other Filipino Americans in Southern California, the era of direct flight convenience and in-flight kagandahang loob--Filipino hospitality--may be over.
Philippine Airlines, whose slogan was "Asia's sunniest airline," shut down at midnight Wednesday after Philippine Airlines Employees Assn. rejected a management offer to swap a 10-year suspension of collective bargaining rights for a 20% stake in the airline.
The negotiations, mediated by the Philippine government, failed to resolve differences between that country's richest man--billionaire Lucio Tan--and its toughest labor union, which represents the airline's 7,000 workers.
Early this morning, Philippine Airlines' management and largest union reached a breakthrough agreement on a management-proposed rehabilitation plan, a labor leader told the Associated Press in Manila. The report said the agreement could lead to the airline's reopening if it is approved by union members, regulators and the airline's creditors.
In the meantime, the closure of Asia's oldest airline had immediate repercussions in Southern California, home to the largest Filipino community in the United States.
As the news traveled, Filipino Americans expressed shock and dismay at the demise of the 57-year-old airline.
Since Thursday, phones have been ringing continually at many travel agencies. Anxious passengers with tickets are now scrambling to find connecting flights on other airlines.
"They are just going through every single airline," said Reionn Webber of Mabuhay travel agency near downtown. He said his agency is calling customers to relay the news.
"It's terrible for December departures because they're so fully booked," he said.
Many Filipino Americans return to visit relatives during the holidays. Their travel time will grow considerably: Other airlines make stops before landing in the Philippines.
There is more than convenience at stake.
"It's a matter of national pride," said one ticket holder. "It makes you feel good to see the Philippine flag on the plane. Now you feel like something is taken away from you."
