Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) has become the first carrier to use bridge mounted equipment (BME) at Clark International Airport (CRK), expanding its push for more sustainable ground operations.

Since October 2026, CEB has been using BME installed by CRK operator Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corporation (LIPAD). The system supplies electricity and cooled air directly to aircraft parked at the gate, reducing the need to run jet fuel-powered auxiliary power units (APUs).

By drawing on airport-supplied power and cooling, aircraft use less fuel while parked, which helps lower emissions and noise during ground operations.

“Cebu Pacific fully supports Clark International Airport’s APU OFF initiatives as part of our commitment to more sustainable operations. By reducing our reliance on onboard power generation while aircraft are parked, we can help lower fuel consumption and emissions. We are proud to be the first airline to use this airport facility at Clark,” said Lei Apostol, CEB vice president for customer service operations.

LIPAD noted that the BME installation is part of its sustainability efforts to reduce fuel use, emissions, and noise at the airport.

“The operation of our new Bridge Mounted Equipment (BME) is inline with CRK’s commitment to a more sustainable operations and help our airline partners reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. We are grateful for Cebu Pacific’s support for this initiative,” said Noel Manankil, President and CEO of LIPAD.

The move follows CEB’s adoption of BME in Cebu in 2024, where it was also the first carrier to use the equipment. The airline has also deployed electric ground support equipment (GSE), ground power unit (GPU) and air-cooling units (ACU) at Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), which helps reduce emissions compared and reliance on the aircraft’s APU when on the ground.

Through these efforts, CEB continues to work with airport partners to improve ground operations and reduce their environmental impact.

CEB operates 35 domestic and 26 international destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, is making Mother’s Day extra special this year as it brings back its signature Piso sale, giving every Juan more opportunities to thank and show their love to their moms and mother figures through meaningful travel experiences.

From May 8 to 15, 2026, travelers may book their flights to all CEB domestic and international destinations on sale for as low as PHP 1 one-way base fare, exclusive of fees and surcharges. The travel period will be from October 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, giving families the perfect opportunity to plan meaningful trips and book ahead for the peak travel season.

CEB passengers looking to gift their moms with a well-deserved escape can explore Tacloban’s cultural and historical landmarks, enjoy the natural wonders and island experiences of Puerto Princesa, go on a food trip in Bacolod, seek the outdoor adventures of Cagayan De Oro, or unwind by the white sand beaches of Boracay.

With the airline’s wide domestic network, travelers can conveniently fly through its major hubs in Cebu, Davao, and Iloilo. These gateways provide passengers with more seamless options to explore and discover new experiences across the Philippines.

CEB also offers flights to international destinations such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, perfect for those who want to treat their moms to an overseas vacation. From vibrant city adventures to culinary discoveries and shopping experiences, these destinations offer something special that moms will surely enjoy.

CEB operates in 35 domestic and 26 international destinations spread across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

CEB offers various payment options, including credit or debit cards and e-wallets, to book flights and buy add-ons.

Book your flights now at www.cebupacificair.com and stay tuned for more exciting partnerships and offers designed to make every journey even more rewarding.

Passengers may book flights to all CEB domestic destinations for as low as PHP 599 one-way base fare, exclusive of fees and surcharges, until April 30. The travel period is from May 1 to June 30, 2026, allowing travelers to explore destinations that match what they truly seek at any point in time.

With stronger connectivity through its key hubs in Manila, Clark, Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao, CEB enables smoother journeys across the country, allowing travelers to travel with a purpose—to rest, explore, reconnect, and discover.

CEB’s key hubs in Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao serve as convenient gateways to a wide range of destinations, each offering its own unique rhythm and experience. From Cebu’s vibrant mix of history and island adventures to Iloilo’s heritage and culinary gems, and Davao’s nature-filled escapes and fresh local flavors, these hubs make it easier for travelers to explore trips that align with what truly moves them.

Beyond these, the airline also flies to destinations such as Tacloban, where travelers can visit historical landmarks and learn more about culture, and Palawan, which is home to breathtaking natural wonders, ideal for those seeking stillness, inspiration, or simply a deeper connection with nature.

For those looking for more meaningful travels, CEB connects its passengers to experiences with different kinds of purposes. From surfing breaks in Siargao for solo travelers, snorkeling trips in Dumaguete with your friends, or cycling through Clark with the family, every destination opens a different way to experience the Philippines this season.

 At a time when many are becoming more mindful of how they spend, CEB continues to make travel more attainable, proving that meaningful breaks don’t have to be far or expensive. Exploring the Philippines is not just about where you go, but how it makes you feel, more present, more energized, and more connected.

CEB operates in 35 domestic and 26 international destinations spread across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

CEB offers various payment options, including credit or debit cards and e-wallets, to book flights and buy add-ons.

Book your flights now at www.cebupacificair.com and stay tuned for more exciting partnerships and offers designed to make every journey even more rewarding.

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, has been recognized as Best Employer Brand at the 2026 LinkedIn Talent Awards—marking its third consecutive win in the category for organizations with 5,000 to 10,000 employees.

The annual awards recognize organizations that excel in attracting, engaging, and developing talent, highlighting those that build meaningful and lasting connections with their workforce.

This recognition reflects CEB’s continued focus on building a strong employer brand through authentic storytelling, consistent engagement, and a clear articulation of its culture and values.

“As we mark 30 years of Cebu Pacific, we’re clear on one thing: an employer brand isn’t built through campaigns—it’s built through everyday experiences. When people are proud to work here and proud to tell others why, that’s when you know you’re getting it right,” said Felix Lopez, CEB Chief Human Resources Officer. “At Cebu Pacific, our people don’t just work here—they build communities here. That sense of belonging is something you can’t manufacture, and we choose to nurture it every day.”

At the core of this approach is CEB University, the airline’s in-house learning
ecosystem. With eight specialized schools, it enables employees to continuously build skills, deepen expertise, and pursue defined career pathways across different functions and leadership levels.

Another key part of its culture is the presence of 16 Juan CEB Communities
(JCC)—self-organized, employee-led groups centered on shared interests and
advocacies. These communities foster connection, inclusion, and purpose across the organization. One example is EmpowHER, which champions the growth and
advancement of women through mentorship, collaboration, and leadership
opportunities.

CEB is also deepening its contribution to nation-building through its Juan Flight Closer to Home program, launched in May 2025. The initiative aims to encourage overseas Filipino aviation professionals to return home and continue their careers in the Philippines, bringing back global expertise while reconnecting with family and community. By opening pathways for Filipino talent abroad, the airline is helping strengthen the local aviation industry.

CEB operates flights to 35 domestic and 26 international destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East, and continues to invest in its people as a cornerstone of its long-term strategy.

Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB), the Philippines’ leading carrier, has been recognized as one of the world’s top-performing airlines for sustainability in the latest S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA).
The airline ranked within the top 25% globally and emerged as the most sustainable Philippine carrier, with a score of 47—well above the industry average of 37 and higher than most low-cost peers. The CSA measures how companies manage their impact on the environment, care for their employees and communities, and uphold responsible business practices.
“We continue to take a disciplined and proactive approach to sustainability as we expand our operations,” said Aileen Isidro, CEB Vice President for Corporate Strategy and Risk Officer. “The improvement in our S&P Global CSA score reflects how we’ve embedded sustainability into how we grow, operate, and govern.”
CEB’s latest Integrated Report reported progress across its ESG initiatives, contributing to its improved CSA performance.
In 2025, the airline served nearly 27 million passengers and operated over 170,000 flights, showing that sustainability gains can be achieved even as operations expand. During the same period, CEB avoided approximately 35,000 tonnes of carbon emissions and saved around 11,000 tonnes of jet fuel through fleet modernization and operational efficiencies.
It also reduced carbon emissions to 75.7 grams of CO₂ per revenue passenger kilometer (RPK), with lower emissions per passenger even as travel demand increased. CEB continues to build on this progress through its long-term goal of operating an all-NEO (New Engine Option) fleet by 2030, alongside expanding the deployment of electric ground support equipment (GSE) across key airports.
Beyond environmental efforts, CEB continues to invest in its people. Women now make up 51% of management roles, exceeding the Philippine average of 44%, while ongoing programs in training, employee engagement, and mental health support aim to strengthen workforce resilience and service quality.
The carrier also maintains strong governance practices, supported by enhanced anti-corruption measures, strict compliance systems, and clear accountability across its operations and partnerships.
These initiatives resulted in CEB’s improving customer experience. The airline recorded a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of +35, up seven points from previous year, alongside gains in service areas such as boarding, baggage handling, and inflight service, signaling stronger passenger satisfaction.
Following a strong performance in 2025, CEB is building momentum as it celebrates its 30th anniversary, with a continued focus on expanding affordable air travel while advancing its sustainability commitments.

Subic Bay Freeport – The Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship docked at th Freeport on Tuesday morning as its maiden ship call here.
Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officials and employees were present to welcome the passengers and crew of the Villa Vie Odyssey, along with representatives from the Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Quarantine, and other stakeholders.
Some 650 passengers disembarked from the cruise ship as the Villa Vie Odyssey will be staying until tomorrow, while her passengers visit the many tourism destinations inside Subic Bay Freeport.
The Villa Vie Odyssey is a residential cruise ship offering a unique, full-time world cruise experience for residents, or “global residents,” who purchase cabins for long-term stays, rather than traditional shorter cruises.
Once known as the Braemar, the 924-passenger ship was purchased by Villa Vie Residences in 2023 and underwent a significant refurbishment before its 2024 launch.
The ship is designed to be smaller than mega-ships, allowing access to smaller, unique ports, and features a variety of amenities, including dining, pools, a gym with Peloton bikes, and community spaces for activities like art and fitness classes.

MANILA – Philippine Army (PA) engineers along with their American counterparts have trained together as part of efforts to enhance their capabilities in airfield damage repair (ADR) and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD).
In a statement Tuesday, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said these training activities are part of the ongoing “Balikatan” exercises and involved troops from the Army’s 53rd Engineer Brigade along with US military personnel.
He added that the ADR and EOD training activities started in Cebu last April 21 when “Balikatan” formally started.
The ADR expert exchange focused on lectures on ADR familiarization, crater repair, formworks installation, and crushed stone restoration.
These lectures were followed by simulation exercises in front of the Visayas Command Grandstand.
Subsequently, practical ADR training exercises were conducted at Camp Cadre, Poblacion Medellin, Cebu, where participants had the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained from the lectures and assessments in a realistic field environment.
The annual military drills between Filipino and American units are expected to conclude this May 9.
“ADR and EOD skills are crucial in ensuring mission success as they ensure operational continuity through the rapid restoration of damaged runways and removal of explosive hazards,” Dema-la said.
Meanwhile, 53rd Engineer Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Maynard Camarao described the training exercises as a “strategic investment in readiness, resilience, and friendship” that highlights the enduring value of Philippine-US cooperation in enhancing regional security and strengthening disaster response efforts.
Exercise “Balikatan”, which means “shoulder-to-shoulder” in Filipino, is one of the longest-standing bilateral military exercises between the Philippines and the United States.
The drills aim to strengthen the alliance between the two nations while bolstering combined and joint force capabilities and demonstrating a shared commitment to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific Region. (PNA)

BALER, Aurora — A total of 1,144,376 tourists visited the province of Aurora during the 2025 Holy Week break from April 12-20, up by 40 percent compared to last year. From the figure, 310,739 were overnight tourists who stayed in local accommodations, while the rest were same-day visitors who explored popular destinations without staying overnight.
Aurora Provincial Tourism Officer Anariza Mendoza noted that the high volume of visitors was attributed to the successful promotion of ecotourism sites, beach attractions, and historical landmarks in Aurora, alongside the effective implementation of security and safety measures under the SUMVAC 2025 initiative.
Dipaculao, known for its white sand beaches, recorded the highest number of tourists with 309,219, followed closely by Baler with 307,077, and Dingalan, which welcomed 280,001 tourists.
Other municipalities also saw strong tourist traffic, including Casiguran with 93,800 visitors, Dilasag with 73,324, Dinalungan with 42,001, San Luis with 37,886, and Maria Aurora with 22,113.
Mendoza expressed optimism that the surge in tourism will continue in the coming months, citing ongoing efforts to promote sustainable tourism and enhance visitor experiences across the province.
In total, Aurora recorded approximately 1.7 million tourist arrivals during the first four months of 2025, underscoring the province’s continued growth as a top travel destination in Central Luzon. (PIA Region 3-Aurora)

Manila—On February 20, the United States government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), launched the U.S.-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation, and Lifelong Learning (UPSKILL) Program, a five-year, Php1.6-billion ($30 million) initiative that will help Philippine higher education become more globally competitive by strengthening innovation, workforce development, and entrepreneurship in colleges and universities.
U.S. President Joseph Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. jointly announced this initiative during President Marcos’s visit to the White House in May 2023.
USAID’s UPSKILL Program will bring together U.S. universities, Philippine government agencies engaged in human capital development, and private sector partners to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education institutions through faculty and staff training, curriculum improvements, and increasing community outreach and technology transfer. These efforts will improve the qualifications and career prospects of Filipino higher education graduates to continuously meet evolving workforce needs and enhance linkages between U.S. and Philippine universities.
The UPSKILL Program is implemented by RTI International through a consortium of U.S. universities, which includes Arizona State University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, and Philippine partners such as Edukasyon.ph and the Philippine Business for Education.
“The challenges and opportunities that young people face today in the workplace make college training and education critical for their future success,” visiting USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for East Asia and the Pacific Sara Borodin said during the UPSKILL Program launch at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. “Through this new USAID program, the United States government reaffirms its commitment to working with our Filipino partners in transforming the higher education sector.”
Officials from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Second Congressional Education Commission, the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Trade and Industry, the National Economic and Development Authority, and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, as well as representatives from several Philippine universities attended the program launch.
“With this partnership with USAID, the Commission on Higher Education will provide unique opportunities for our colleges and universities to continuously innovate in response to the aspirations of the Philippines, and specifically that of our students,” CHED Executive Director Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro said. “Together, we will demonstrate the compelling value of internationally recognized training, cooperative research, and lifelong learning modalities being offered by Philippine higher education.”

Meeting over the weekend under strict quarantine protocols due to the ongoing Covid19 pandemic, they elected an interim set of officers to start the process of obtaining a juridical personality for the association named Kalayaan Subic Bay Neighborhood Association.

“We hope to be of help in keeping the residents’ welfare always on the agenda of SBMA,” elected interim president Frankie Barretto told Subic Bay News, “We believe SBMA wants that too, thus, the association.”

Other elected officers were Benny Triguero, vice president; Analyn Victorio, treasurer; Paolo Barretto, secretary; Francis Rivero, auditor; Roseller Hilario and Dr. Ed Bongco, public relations officers; and, Gigi Montelibano and Susan Seva, business managers.

Among the priorities spelled out in the meeting include close coordination with the security agency management that has a contract with SBMA to render security services in the area.

“We want to make sure that the guards will be really out there protecting the community,” Barretto said, “and we intend to help them do it.”

“We will raise funds to purchase bicycles for the guards’ mobility and preparedness,” Barretto said, “as well as first aid kits.”

Other talking points the association intends to bring to the office of SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma include the ingress and egress hours at Kalayaan gate, regular grass cutting and tree trimming, and disaster preparedness.

Residents of two other major residential areas in the Subic Bay Freeport, namely Binictican Housing, and Cubi, have yet to have a similar association. (VVV)