A journey with million milers and memories
It was an appreciation night dedicated to jetsetters. Or, to be more specific, the Million Milers of Philippine Airlines—those frequent flyers who have stayed with PAL, their airline of choice, all through their years of business or leisure travel.
PAL’s frequent flyer loyalty program counts a total of 441 Million Milers in their roster of members. It’s a list of who’s whos and among the guests at the Marriott Ballroom, I spotted celebrity dermatologist Dr. Vicki Belo, actress Annabelle Rama, businesspersons Christine Yang and Butch Nievera, and topnotcher Jerry Doviak, who has journeyed six million miles. This year, PAL expects to welcome 10 new members.
PAL president and chief operating officer Capt. Stanley K. Ng expressed his appreciation to the frequent flyers for their loyalty.
“Your million miles not only represent your journeys, but also the trust you’ve placed in us,” Ng declared. “We assure you that we will do our best to live up to your trust in the days and years ahead.”
AVP Mac Munsayac and PAL VP corporate affairs Josen Perez de Tagle
PAL Holdings president Lucio Tan III cited how PAL’s Million Milers have been instrumental in enhancing the airline’s offerings.
“We treasure the fellowship we have shared together as you trusted us over the years,” Tan stated. “You helped Philippine Airlines grow, and your feedback has helped us introduce improvements to our products and services.”
For this Million Miler appreciation night, guests came in modern Filipiniana and enjoyed fine cuisine, songs by The Company, a fashion show featuring PAL cabin crew uniforms from the 1940s to the present.
In the ’70s, French designer Pierre Cardin did a blue uniform simply highlighted by red and white on the bodice. Christian Espiritu used modernized tribal designs on the pleated skirt and neck scarf for a red uniform until the ’80s.
Your million miles not only represent your journeys, but also the trust you’ve placed in us. We assure you that we will do our best to live up to your trust in the days and years ahead.
Italian designer Renato Balestra used ochre as the base for a tailored uniform accented by a white scarf with blue edges until 1990.
Perhaps the design used the longest, from 1991 to 2016, was that of Chito Antonio, whose ecru blazer and slim skirt had a scarf with colors of the vinta.
The current uniform design, which started in 2015, focusing on a dark blue vest for both male and female crew members, reflects a more practical and modern approach to flying, where passengers now prefer athleisure clothes and sneakers for traveling.
During the program hosted by Tim Yap, three major milestone initiatives were launched for frequent flyers: The Self-Service Redemption, Miles as form of payments, and Miles E-card.
Innovations now include the Mabuhay Miles Shop platform where members can earn miles while shopping online with over 200 participating merchants.
Guests went home with a gift pack each containing a unisex sleepwear created for PAL by top designer Puey Quiñones, and essential oil blends by Pili Ani.
And where were the other famous Million Milers not present during this appreciation night? Perhaps busy taking care of unfinished business abroad. And revenge traveling all over the world, to add more points to their millions of miles.