Sunset

Sunset

Credits: Gail Capati

This was the view of the sunset as seen from the SM City Baguio. :)

Sky Pasada suspends all air operations

BAGUIO's only airline has temporarily suspended operations in all its routes while it corrects safety issues of its aircrafts as ordered by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

In an official statement sent by Sky Pasada president and chief executive officer Capt. Ramon Guico III, in accordance with the directive of CAAP for the improvement and safety specifications of the aircraft LET-410, Sky Pasada will temporarily suspend its operations for all its routes immediately.

"We deeply apologize to the flying public for the inconvenience," Guico said.

He added the fleet is currently composed of two UVP-LET 410 aircrafts, "which are the best aircrafts serving our routes such as Palanan and Maconacon in Isabela because of its short take-off and landing (STOL) feature."

"The people of these coastal towns depend on us to transport their goods to the cities which is why it is with deep regret that we have to suspend our service to them," Guico added.
In his statement, Guico said this sentiment goes the same for the people of Basco, Batanes, Caticlan and Baguio City.

Last June 10, members of the Baguio Convention and Visitors Bureau and local media were brought on the maiden flight of the airline to Manila to attend the company's inauguration of pre-departure facilities at the Manila Domestic Airport.

Moreover, Guico said skypasada.com was not given ample time to upgrade its aircrafts as CAAP only notified them last June 8 and expected them to comply by July 1.

CAAP-Baguio, meanwhile, cannot issue a statement until an official directive will be received from Manila, OIC airport manager Sulyn Sagorsor said.

"Our aircrafts will need to be taken back to its Czechoslovakia plant to make its upgrade and will take more than a month to be airborne again," Guico said.

Guico stressed Sky Pasada wil resume operations with better customer service, a bigger and improved fleet and more exciting destinations for passengers.

"For now, we will be contacting the clients who have booked their flights online for refund instructions. Thank you and we hope to see you again when we resume our flights soon," Guico's statement added.

SkyPasada.com initially opened its operations in the city May 21 servicing its Baguio to Tuguegarao and Cauayan, Isabela routes with local executives, media and airport officials witnessing the event.

The inaugural flight opened Baguio skies to commercial air travel again. (JM Agreda)

Alpha Phi Omega Anniversary "Oblation Run" @ the University of the Philippines Baguio

@ Iskolar ng Bayan (IB) Building

@ Oblation Grounds

Going to the lobby...

@ UP Baguio Lobby

Credits: Dyam Gonzales and Gail Capati :)

Funny Photo with an AFP soldier at the Philippine Military Academy...

This photo was taken on 2008. I was one of our high school's delegate to the 20th YMCA National Assemby of High School Students at the Junior Mess, Teacher's Camp, Baguio City. Of course, we didn't just go to Baguio City to attend the conference so we also had a day wherein we visit several places around the city. One of these is the Philippine Military Academy, the training school for future soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). It's just about 15-20 minutes from the city proper and I been there for almost five times.

The story about the photo is this: We saw some soldiers strolling around PMA and one of my schoolmate asked one of the soldier if we can take a photo with him. Fortunately, he agreed! Before we took the photo we told him to do a "cute peace pose". At first he was reluctant to do it, but after some time he agreed!

And so the photo was taken... the soldier had the cute peace pose and all of us in a "salute pose". LOL

Thanks to Mr. Nice Soldier at PMA!

Lourdes Grotto: 250+ steps before you reach the top!

In this photo: Me and my friend Miera (she is my only schoolmate/friend in high school who also studied on UP Baguio)

Lourdes Grotto is located along Naguillan Road and it's just about 10-15 minutes from the center of Baguio City (if you go there by taxi). At the top of the grotto is a shrine of the Lady of Lourdes which is a preferred pilgrimage site especially every Holy Week. Many people go here to pray and normally they light up candles. So this photo was taken on January 2010 and this was my second time to go there. We were with three of our former high school teachers who went there for the "21st YMCA National Assembly of High School Students and 14th YMCA High School Club Adviser's Seminar". It's like we became their tour guides and this was just one of the places we visited.

The first time I went there was also with Miera and his roommates who subsequently became my close friends. We counted all the steps up to the top and as I remember...... it was more than 250!!! There are many souvenir shops in the proximity of the place.

TIPS:

• If you want to go to the top but you don't want to climb more than 250 steps, there is actually a road that will take you almost to the top so just tell the taxi driver to take you at the end where vehicles are still allowed to enter. Then it will just be a few steps to the top!
  
• If you're planning to light up a candle, there are candles available at the top and they are cheaper than the ones sold by the vendors. Just be sure to insert your payment on the donation box beside it since no one is actually looking after the candles (but God is looking after you!).