No ordinary world

It doesn’t quite compare to the so-called Great Cheese Scandal of Imelda Marcos – you know that story, during the administration of Marcos Sr. about how an airplane that departed Rome had to do a mid-air U-turn because the former first lady realized she’d forgotten to buy some cheese?

But flying in a world famous rock band for one’s private birthday party is also a little too extravagant by any measure, and especially so if you are the president of a country whose income status has not really improved since the late 80s.

President Marcos can blame his rich friends. The world-famous rock band Duran Duran was indeed a surprise gift, as Malacañang said.

He expected just the usual hotel lobby band performer to provide the music at his uber exclusive birthday dinner held at Marriott Hotel in Pasay and was thus pleasantly surprised when the English pop rock band of his teenage and early adult years appeared on stage to perform for his 67th birthday.

That’s what I heard from the grapevine. I also heard that the band flew in on a private jet in a clandestine arrival funded by the President’s billionaire friends.

This isn’t surprising really. President Marcos’ friends know what would please him. After all, unlike Duran Duran’s famous hit Ordinary World, Marcos’ life is certainly no ordinary world. He grew up in Malacañang, with all the glitter and glamor associated with his family and who, in fact, gained notoriety for their lavish lifestyle.

Thus, BBM is no stranger to the good life – extravagant parties, the finest art, jewelry, wine and what-have-you. This is why he loves to travel, he loves the races and enjoys good music, too.

But if he wants to redeem his family’s name, Marcos must do away with such excesses and instead be more attuned with the needs of the Filipino people. This is one way to show that Marcos 2.0 is not a repeat of his father’s administration, which was marred by cronyism, kleptocracy and human rights abuses.

Bon Voyage!

Now for some good news.

The resumption of direct flights between the Philippines and France will certainly bode well for the Philippine economy and especially with a looming Philippines-European Union Free Trade Agreement.

French Ambassador Marie Fontanel and Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Air France-KLM general manager for Southeast Asia and Oceania Femke Kroese recently announced the return of Air France to the Philippines.

This comes 20 years after the last direct flight between the two countries.

France’s commitment

This resumption marks a significant step in the strengthening of bilateral relations, and reflects France’s concrete commitment to developing cooperation with the Philippines, said Ambassador Fontanel, who worked with Philippine authorities in making this happen.

“It’s true that the Philippines used to be linked to many European capitals back then – Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Madrid, Rome and Paris. But today and for many years, it’s the only major ASEAN country without a direct flight to Europe. And for 20 years, the Philippines has been lacking direct connection with my country, France, and for five years with the European Union.

“It means that the reopening of a direct route between the Philippines and Europe has been eagerly awaited and I’m particularly proud and happy that it is with Air France and a direct connection, Paris-Manila flight today. It puts an end to, maybe, an anomaly by reconnecting the Philippines with Europe and France,” the ambassador said.

It is also a testament to Air France’s confidence in the country at the time when flights between Europe and the Philippines are set to increase by more than four percent a year between now and 2042.

The direct non-stop service between the Philippines and France will most likely boost trade, tourism exchanges between our two countries and more generally with the European Union, the ambassador added.

The timing of the maiden flight is impeccable. December 2024 is a festive Christmas season in the Philippines and it will also mark the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, after five years of restoration work.

The flights

There will be three flights a week between the two air hubs – Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport and Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Commencing on Dec. 7, 2024, the airline is set to operate three direct flights a week as follows:

AF208 will leave Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 11:20 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, arriving in Manila at 7:30 p.m. the next day.

AF209 will leave Manila at 9:50 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, arriving at Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 5:50 a.m. the next day.

“So it combines Air France and KLM, and we will be offering daily services from those dates. We also offer very convenient night flights, so we will be arriving very early in the city of Paris to have the full day to explore,” said Air France-KLM’s Kroese.

As I said, this would surely be good not just for tourists but for business travelers as well, especially if the FTA with the EU finally happens. France would serve as a gateway to Europe for the Philippines, which is currently the only major Southeast Asian country without a direct connection to the European Union.

Exciting times for sure and hopefully, there will be more flights between the Philippines and other destinations across the globe.

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Email: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @eyesgonzales. Column archives at EyesWideOpen on FB.