Cebu Pacific: More Than an Airline, My Travel Companion

Looking back, I never imagined that a small drone would change the way I see the world.

When I first started flying one, I became obsessed with aerial videos. Places looked completely different from above; mountains, coastlines, tiny roads connecting communities. Every footage made me wonder, Am I really there? It was fascinating to see places from a perspective I could never reach on my own.

Then another thought crossed my mind.

If a drone can show me this view, what would the world look like from an airplane?

I still remember my first flight. I spent most of it glued to the window, amazed by how familiar places suddenly looked so different from thousands of feet above the ground. That simple flight sparked something in me.

As the years went by, I found myself traveling more and more across the Philippines. Without even realizing it, one airline kept becoming part of those journeys; Cebu Pacific. Flight after flight, destination after destination, it naturally became my go-to whenever I had somewhere new to explore.

Every destination has given me a story.

I'm actually someone who prefers sleeping during flights because, truth be told, turbulence still makes me nervous. I quietly panic without my seatmate noticing. Before every takeoff, I always whisper a prayer and make the sign of the cross. So imagine my surprise when the in-flight games started. Instead of sleeping, I ended up joining; and somehow forgot about my fear for a while.

Then there are the window-seat moments.

I honestly don't know if it's just how the approach happens, but there are moments when it feels like the aircraft gently banks at just the right time, revealing breathtaking views outside the window. Those moments have given me some of my favorite memories; not through my camera, but through my own eyes.

One dream I always had was to see Mayon Volcano from above.

And then one day, it happened.

As we began our descent, the sun was getting ready to set. Rolling hills stretched below us while the perfectly shaped Mayon Volcano stood proudly on the horizon, glowing in warm golden light. It was one of those views that made time stop for a moment.

Another unforgettable landing was in Siargao.

As the aircraft descended, endless forests surrounded us. For a second, it genuinely felt like we were flying straight into the world of Jurassic Park. I even joked to myself that a dinosaur might suddenly appear from the trees and chase the plane. It was surreal, dramatic, and honestly one of the coolest landings I've ever experienced.

Ironically, I don't even have a photo of it.

Sometimes the most beautiful moments are the ones you simply experience.

Looking back now, I realize Cebu Pacific has been with me through many milestones; not just as an airline, but as a travel companion.

It has taken me to places that shaped me as a filmmaker, introduced me to adventures I never expected, and reminded me that sometimes the journey itself becomes part of the story.

Because every flight isn't just about getting from one destination to another.

Sometimes, it's about discovering a new perspective; long before you even land.