PAL Holdings President Lucio Tan III Meets Mabuhay Million Milers in Appreciation Event

One of the distinguished guests at the appreciation dinner for Million Milers of Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay Miles frequent flier program was a gentleman who had accumulated an astounding six million miles. 

During a brief interview, the million miler, who said he is involved in the medical and dental equipment supply business, said it was during a first class PAL flight to Manila from the U.S. back in 1986 that his fortunes changed. The revolution had just toppled the regime of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and, because of the unstable political and economic environment at the time, his US-based company wasn’t sure if they would continue their business in the Philippines or close shop altogether.

ALSO READ

Philippine Airlines Business Class: What to Expect and Is It Worth It

Here's What You'll Get on Philippine Airlines' Upgraded Comfort Class Seats

“I was in Seat 4C and sat next to this gentleman in 4A,” the million miler said. “I told him about our company’s situation and the man said to me, ‘You should continue the business. I will help you.’” The man in 4A turned out to have connections in government and made good in his promise to link the million miler with important officials who were all able to assist him and his company get back on their feet and reopen the business in spite of the turbulent times.

The gentleman with six million miles was only one of the special guests of Philippine Airlines at the event held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom on Friday (September 29). It was a way for the country’s flag carrier to express its appreciation to some of its most loyal patrons over the years.

PAL Holdings Inc President Lucio Tan III

Photo by Philippine Airlines.

Present at the event was the president of PAL Holdings as well as president of the LT Group Lucio Tan III, whose namesake grandfather founded the LT Group and helped turn PAL into what it is today. Tan paid tribute to PAL’s most loyal customers through the years and promised that more was in store from the 82-year-old airline in the coming years.

Also present was the president of and COO of PAL, Captain Stanley Ng, as well as various senior officials of the company.

A highlight of the event was a special fashion show where models and beauty queens walked the runway dressed in the PAL flight attendants’ uniforms through the years. Some of the designers who have worked on PAL uniforms include Chito Antonio, Pierre Cardin, and Pitoy Moreno.

The evening was capped by a performance by Filipino vocal group The Company.

 See photos of the event here: 

PAL President and COO Capt Stanley Ng

Photo by Philippine Airlines.

PAL SVP and General Counsel Carlos Luis Fernandez with Lucio Tan III

Photo by Philippine Airlines.

Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp (PAGCOR) Chair Alejandro Tengco and PAL President Capt. Stanley Ng

Photo by Philippine Airlines.

A special fashion show featuring the PAL flight attendants' uniforms through the years

Photo by Philippine Airlines.

Senior officials of Philippine Airlines with event host Tim Yap

Photo by Philippine Airlines.