NAIA Improves Passenger Satisfaction Ratings

Reforms in the NAIA have finally bore fruits. 

According to a survey released to "The Guide To Sleeping In Airports" travel website released on Sunday, October 15, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is no longer included in the top 20 worst airports in the world, and even in the top 5 worst airports in Asia 2017. 

It can be remembered that on the same survey conducted during the past administration and released in October 2016, NAIA used to be among the world’s worst airports, landing on the 5th place.

Such placement was attributed to the issue of  “laglag-bala”, which was among the main complaints of travelers especially by OFWs, but was addressed during the first 100 days of the Duterte administration.

Meanwhile, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade welcomed this improvement, but said that this is just the beginning. Secretary Tugade reminded that the DOTr must not be complacent as there are many things yet to be done and improved at the NAIA.

"Work, work, work lang. While it is good that we are not listed among the worst, let us work even harder to be included amongst the best," Secretary Tugade said. "We should be careful that we do not backslide. The show must go on -- and better!," he added

For his part, Manila International Airports Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal says this result is only as good as the last race. 

"The bigger challenge is to maintain or even surpass our achievement," GM Monreal said.  

It can be remembered that NAIA earned the ‘world’s worst airport’ title from 2011 to 2013. In 2014, it landed in the 4th place. It was not included in the top 10 worst airports in the world in 2015, but landed 8th worst airport in Asia. 

Meanwhile, four Philippine airports again joined the list of the top 25 best airports in Asia for this year, 2017. They are: Iloilo International Airport, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Clark International Airport, and Davao International Airport. 

Among the reforms implemented in the NAIA during the Duterte Administration were the restriction on general aviation to prioritize commercial flights and reduce flight delays; the imposition of the five-minute rule [where pilots who declare they are ready to take off must depart within the prescribed time or they would be put back at the back of the queue] to reduce flight delays and instill discipline among airlines; the construction of Rapid Exit Taxiways to allow an aircraft to leave the runway at higher speed and increase flight movements; provision of  cleaner toilets additional seats, free Wi-Fi, and Well-Wishers’ Area. Regular taxis were also allowed to queue and pick-up passengers at designated points in NAIA terminals to address shortage of taxi units servicing passengers. 

Further, since the new administration took over, there has been no single incidence of a passenger missing a flight for possessing a bullet. Passengers no longer feel the need to wrap bags and luggages in plastic or masking tapes.

Tees On Trend: The Tee Party Commences with the Annual SM Youth Tee Festival

Childhood symbols become young adult emblems as SM Youth rolls out their yearly-awaited SM Youth Tee Festival T-shirt drop. The Tee has been a classic symbol of youth and self-expression, as generations have taken to the classic style piece and dressed it up and down according to their style. It's not a surprise to find a multitude of Tees in every youth's closet, and the yearly SM Youth Tee Festival allows SM Youth's loyal following to stock up on Tee drops as featured T-shirts can be bought with special discounts.

But first, the collection. SM Youth is out to make Mickey cool again—every kid's favorite mouse bids for teen squad status as Mickey Mouse prints appear in select SM Youth T-shirts. It's a pop art fix waiting to be satisfied: Mickey Mouse cartoons are rendered as T-shirt patterns, some illustrated in his classic red trousers-yellow shoe look, others showing a more minimalist interpretation of the motley mouse in graphic black and white. In a supporting role, other youth prints make the cut as well: cartoon cacti patches and other Instagram emoji fodder play the star in a line of multicolored basic tees. SM Youth Ambassador Kaila Estrada fronts the campaign as she is joined by the winner of the SM Youth Go-See Contest, Erika Kristensen.

Styling a tee can be turned into the easiest fashion hack as the versatile pieces covers all areas of the style spectrum: cuffed ripped jeans, vintage socks and skater sneaks speak of '80s streets, while a monochrome two-piece suit is an ode to the gods of high-low fashion. Any way you want to wear your SM Youth tee, it'll look like it's made just for you.

Shop SM Youth tees at a massive discount with the SM Youth Tee Festival. From September until October 31, slash up to P200 off the total price of three (3) tees. That's an annual treat you wouldn't wanna miss out on. Shop SM Youth T-shirts at all The SM Store branches nationwide. Visit facebook.com/SMYouthLifestyle or on Twitter and Instagram at @SM_Youth for more details on the Tee Festival and other promos.

Bring On The Tees: Bring Out the Excitement in Stocking Up On Shirts at the SM Men Tee Festival

So much talk is given about men in suits, but how about men in shirts? In the realm of menswear, you can't spell "style" without a tee, and SM Men's annual Tee Festival lets avid tee enthusiasts in on the chance to score stylish T-shirts at a great price. After all, what's guy style without a shirt? Today, even basic tees are given a new spin—whether it be in colors, fit or silhouette—fit for any kind of style, so no man can ever give a valid excuse for not stocking up on his new shirt pile.

This year, pieces offered for the SM Men Tee Festival are decidedly intellectual: Ivy League sensibilities matched with unexpectedly stylish basics seen in Palo Alto startup geniuses. Tailored tees, pastel palettes and subtle pattern details all come together for Tee offerings that reminisce proper golf matches and drinks by the country club. Pastel polo shirts, tie-around sweaters and stately stripes are mixed along with generic tees in dark colors and Zuckerberg hoodies in somber shades. As a most-fitting wildcard, woodsmith denim patches are sewn onto basic black shirts, adding a more casual industrial mood to an otherwise academic collection.

Wear each piece modified according to your style: match light-colored shirts to tattered jeans to balance out the prep school vibe, or carry a hip hop beat with hoodies and dark shirts worn with jogger pants and the flashiest high-top sneakers. The great thing about shirts is, you can wear them any way you want.

Until October 31, the SM Men Tee Festival gives you great deals on the most stylish shirts. You can get up to P200 off on the total of three (3) shirts purchased. An annual sale not to be missed, head on to the SM Men section at every branch of The SM Store nationwide.

Visit facebook.com/SMMensfashion or on Twitter and Instagram at @SM_Men for more details on the summer collection and other promos.