• Menu
  • Menu
  • News
  • Subscribe now
    Digital subscription Print subscription ePaper subscription
  • Logout
Digital subscription
Print subscription
ePaper subscription
Trending
UAE holidays 2023 Golf in UAE Corporate Tax News on WhatsApp The Kurator
  • Latest News
  • UAE
    • People
    • Science
    • Government
    • Education
    • Crime
    • Emergencies
    • Environment
    • Health
      • Why Worry
    • Transport
    • Weather
    • Sultan Al Neyadi
  • Living In UAE
    • Visa+Immigration
    • Housing
    • Phone+Internet
    • Banking
    • Transport
    • Health
    • Education
    • Relocate
    • Reader Queries
    • Safety+Security
  • Business
    • Banking & Insurance
    • Aviation
    • Property
    • Tax News
    • Corporate Tax
    • Analysis
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Markets
    • Retail
    • Corporate News
    • Tech
    • Auto
  • Best Buys
    • Electronics
    • Home and Kitchen
    • Offers
    • Consumables
    • Lifestyle
  • Your Money
    • Saving and Investment
    • Budget Living
    • Taxation
    • Expert Columns
    • Community Tips
    • Cryptocurrency
  • Food
    • Cooking and Cuisines
    • Guide to Cooking
    • Videos
  • Friday
    • Beauty
    • Wellbeing
    • Art & People
    • Home
    • Friday Partner
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Sudoku
    • Word Search
    • Spell It
    • Play
  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy & Baby
    • Learning & Play
    • Child Health
    • For Mums & Dads
    • Ask Us
    • Games
  • World
    • Gulf
      • Bahrain
      • Kuwait
      • Oman
      • Qatar
      • Saudi
      • Yemen
    • Mena
    • Europe
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
      • India
      • Pakistan
      • Philippines
    • Australia-New Zealand
    • Corrections
  • Opinion
    • Columnists
    • Editorials
    • Letters
    • From the Editors
  • Special Reports
  • UAE Success Stories
  • Magical Dubai
    • Dubai Life
    • Live the Luxury
    • Culture and History
    • Adventure
    • Staying Connected
  • Photos
    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Sports
  • Sport
    • UAE Sport
    • Cricket
      • IPL
        • Chennai
        • Delhi
        • Punjab
        • Kolkata
        • Mumbai
        • Rajasthan
        • Bangalore
        • Hyderabad
        • Gujarat
        • Lucknow
        • Live Scores
        • Point Table
        • Top Scorers
      • ICC
      • ICC World Cup 2023
    • Motorsport
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf in UAE
      • UAE
      • World
      • Photos & Videos
      • Course Reviews
      • Learn to Play
      • Gear
  • Entertainment
    • Hollywood
    • Bollywood
    • South Indian
    • Arab Celebs
    • Music
    • OTT
  • Going Out
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
    • Health+Fitness
    • Community
    • Fashion
  • GN Reach
  • Jobs
  • Tech
    • Electronics
    • Gaming
    • Media
  • Videos
    • How-To
    • Best Of Bollywood
    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Business
    • Sport
    • Community
    • Technology
  • Podcasts
  • GN Focus
    • Special Features
  • 50 MENA Leaders
  • The Kurator
    • Life
    • Luxury
    • Style
  • Gold-Forex
  • Gratuity Calculator
  • Notifications
  • Gold/Forex
  • Prayer Times
  • Cinema Listing
  • GN Store
  • About Gulf News
  • Contact us
  • Work with us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Reach by GN
  • GN Focus
  • Gulf News epaper
  • Sitemap
  • Have your say
  • Printing Services
  • © Al Nisr Publishing LLC 2023. All rights reserved.
    Filipina from Dubai shares Manila flight, quarantine moments

    Photos

    Login / Sign Up
    Logout
    Wednesday, September 27, 2023
    Gold / Forex

    Photos News

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Sports
    All Sections

    Filipina from Dubai shares Manila flight, quarantine moments

    She brought lots of patience, didn't let her guard down till she passed COVID-19 test


    Published:  June 18, 2020 11:25 Jay Hilotin, Assistant Editor
    Follow us

    1 of 29
    Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna / Facebook
    JOURNEY HOME: Dubai-based Filipina Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna shares her "adventure" flying home to Manila during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her visual journey begins in Dubai, with bits about her three previous flight cancellations, her desperation to see her family again, and after landing, walking towards a swab test booth. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna / Facebook
    2 of 29
    Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna / Facebook 01
    READY TO FLY: "So here it is, finally, after three cancellations (three different airlines). After all the heartbreaks, numerous calls and long waiting lists of airlines, I decided to get a special flight to Manila on PAL (Philippine Airlines) because I was desperate to go home. I'm told these flights are not usually announced in the airline's website (based on my investigation). With the help of a friend working for a travel agency in Dubai, I was lucky to get an earlier date. Thanks to you. Lesson learnt: Try and try until you succeed," wrote Lalaine Ortiz Lacerna, who worked for seven years in Dubai as a nurse. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna / Facebook
    3 of 29
    Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna / Facebook 02
    FLIGHT DELAYED FOR 3.5 HOURS: "I told myself, 'don't complain'. What's important is that the flight home is on. This was the time when I was full of positivity and energy. I brought lots of patience with me," says Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna. She flew to Manila from Dubai on June 8, 2020 on a Philippine Airlines flight. She posted this June 13, 2020 after the completing mandatory quarantine and testing negative following arrival in Manila. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna / Facebook
    4 of 29
    Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna / Facebook 03 PAL Dubai
    BOARDING TIME: Filipina Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna flew to Manila on June 8, 2020 from Dubai on board a Philippine Airlines flight. She wrote: "And, at long last, this is my moment!" She posted this June 13, 2020 after the completing her quarantine and testing negative following arrival in Manila from Dubai. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna / Facebook
    5 of 29
    Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna / Facebook PAL airline food
    CABIN FOOD: "The cabin crew served food almost immediately. I skipped it. I was paranoid. I had to make sure I will not take off my mask during the whole flight. I didn't want to take any chances of getting the virus. Disclaimer: this is only my choice and I have nothing against the airline food." Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna / Facebook
    6 of 29
    Airline toilet PAL
    Hygiene kit, handed out by cabin crew. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna / Facebook
    7 of 29
    Manila airport Philippine testing booth covid-19
    PCR TEST: The queue to testing booth at the airport. PCR tests were conducted on all passengers following landing in Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna / Facebook
    8 of 29
    Philippine airport buses
    3 HOURS AFTER LANDING: Members of the quarantine team started moving us to different hotels in these orange buses. The hotel quarantine is on while waiting for test results. Till this time, we had no idea in which hotel we'd wind up staying. It gave the bus journey an element surprise! For non-registered overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), or those on tourist visa, there will a designated desk to assist you, and will help bring you to the hotel of your choice. They will show you a list of hotels, with room rates. Unfortunately, this will be at your own expense. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna / Facebook
    9 of 29
    Airport staff
    Airport staff disinfecting the hallways, chairs, etc. This sight is reassuring. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz Lacerna
    10 of 29
    Manila airport arrival
    BORDER CHECKS: No crowd or long queues to the immigration counters at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport Temrinal 2. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna
    11 of 29
    Manila airport PRIORITY LANE:
    PRIORITY LANE: All pregnant women, families and children are given priority. FYI : Since I am an OFW, the COVID-19 swab test is free. For tourists on those on student visa, you need to pay for the swab test. If I am not mistaken, it's 3,500 pesos (sorry, I'm not sure). Image Credit: Lalain Ortiz Lacerna
    12 of 29
    scene inside the bus
    Inside the bus that took us from airport to hotel. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna
    13 of 29
    Philippines Manila Smart Phone SIM card
    LOCAL SIM CARD: This mobile phone SIM card costs 100 pesos ($2), from either Globe and Smart, available with "Kuya" driver. Make sure you change your money at the airport money changer itself. Once inside the hotel, you're no longer allowed to get out of the room, till further notice. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna / Facebook
    14 of 29
    Pinay travel
    I FELT SO BEAT: "We didn't know where the bus driver would eventually bring us. But this time, I really exhausted, sleeping, hungry to the highest level. I brought with me lots of patience." " Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna / Facebook
    15 of 29
    Hotel Manila OFW
    Here we are finally. We spent time catching up on the latest news while waiting for the severely understaffed hotel to complete check-in procedures. We were told there were just two hotel staff vs 300 check ins. Lesson learnt: don't complain because during this pandemic, staff shortage is everywhere. Can't wait to lie on a flat bed. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna / Facebook
    16 of 29
    check in queue manila
    QUEUE: A serpentine queue to check-in counter from the main hotel facade to the check-in counter. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna / Facebook
    17 of 29
    hotel room Manila OFW
    All of the waiting is worth it. Lets get inside this "Suite 1" room. Note: I didn't pay anything. After the check-in formalities, hotel staff assisted us to our assigned rooms. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna / Facebook
    18 of 29
    Hotel room
    SPACIOUS, CLEAN: Inside my hotel suite. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz Lacerna / Facebook
    19 of 29
    Lalaine Ortiz Lacerna hotel room bath
    Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz Lacerna
    20 of 29
    Hotel cabinet
    Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz Lacerna
    21 of 29
    Hotel room
    Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz Lacerna
    22 of 29
    Lalaine Ortiz Lacerna
    Free food dropped outside the door. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz Lacerna
    23 of 29
    Lunch Manila hotel OFW
    Quarantine lunch. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz Lacerna
    24 of 29
    Lalaine Ortiz Lacerna dinner
    Dinner is ready. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz Lacerna
    25 of 29
    Lalaine Ortiz Lacerna fast food delivery
    I missed local fastfood. Thankfully, there's a delivery option. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz Lacerna
    26 of 29
    adaptor philippines
    IMPORTANT GEAR: All my gadgets and powerbank ran out of juice. Remember to bring this adaptor with you when you fly home, as only the two-pin outlets are available in most places in the Philippines. The hotel may run out of such adaptors. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz Lacerna
    27 of 29
    lalaine
    During the briefing, we were asked to follow this page. It's where the Coast Guard post COVID-19 test results everyday. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz Lacerna
    28 of 29
    List of covid-FRee
    NEGATIVE LIST: After 4 days, this list came out. The rumours were right: results were out fairly quickly. When I got test result, it felt like passing the board exam, when I saw my name on this list. Thankful and blessed. Everything that just happened taught me many lessons. (1.) Don't complain - God is preparing things and they will happen at the right time. (2) Trust His will - If you believe that God is with you on your journey, don’t ask and never question. For sure He has plans. Indeed better plans: (3) Be patient - everything happens for a reason. (4) The reason why my previous flight schedules were cancelled was because He didn’t want me to endure what others experienced. (5) Be thankful and share your blessing! That's why I’m sharing this post to create positivity, towards the effort of our government to bring home all the Filipinos from around the world. I know it’s not easy. But I can tell our government is doing their best to help us. Thank you 🇵🇭❤️. Your returning OFW🇵🇭🙏🏻 Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz-Lacerna
    29 of 29
    QUARANTINE CERTIFICATE:
    QUARANTINE CERTIFICATE: This certificate was given to us sa PITX (Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange bus terminal). From the hotel OWWA provided a free bus transport to all repatriates who tested negative. For those who have family within the National Capital Regiojn (NCR), you may ask them to fetch you. Mabrook! Finally, you're free. Image Credit: Lalaine Ortiz Lacerna

    Trending

    • US government shutdown: What closes, what stays open

      US government shutdown: What closes, what stays open


    • Photos: Robot, machines take over at Asian Games

      Photos: Robot, machines take over at Asian Games


    • See: Former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach turns author

      See: Former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach turns author


    • Look: UAE leaders welcome astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi

      Look: UAE leaders welcome astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi


    • All you need to know about Apple Watch S9, Ultra 2

      All you need to know about Apple Watch S9, Ultra 2


    • Photos: What’s driving gold prices? A changing equation

      Photos: What’s driving gold prices? A changing equation

    Latest In

    • BMC: Empowering families through paediatric cancer care


    • Sheikh Mohammed's vision inspired the world: Al Marri


    • Suicide 'everywhere' among Afghan women: UN official


    • 'Dubai is a platform for the future of media industry'


    • Gatwick limits flights due to illness, including Covid


    Go back to top
    Network links:
    • getthat
    • Jobs
    • GN Store
    • About Gulf News
    • Contact us
    • Work with us
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Advertise with us
    • Reach by GN
    • GN Focus
    • Gulf News epaper
    • Sitemap
    • Have your say
    • Printing Services
    Find us on Social
    © Al Nisr Publishing LLC 2023. All rights reserved.
    This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you. Both on your website and other media. To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our Privacy Policy.
    Share on Facebook
    Share on Twitter
    Share on Whatsapp
    Share on Mail
    Share on LinkedIn
    Copy link
    Follow on Whatsapp
    Follow on Google
    Follow on Telegram
    Close
    Gulf News

    Get Breaking News Alerts From Gulf News

    We’ll send you latest news updates through the day. You can manage them any time by clicking on the notification icon.

    Subscribe No Thanks
    Continue reading Gulf News
    Dear Reader, please register to read gulfnews.com

    Dear Reader,

    This section is about Living in UAE and essential information you cannot live without.

    Register to read and get full access to gulfnews.com

    Create your account
    or login if you already have one
    First name is required.
    Last name is required.
    Please enter a valid email address.
    Password should have minimum 7 characters with at least one letter and number
    Passwords do not match

    By clicking below to sign up, you're agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

    Login your account
    New to Gulf News? Sign up now
    Please enter your email address.
    Please enter your password.

    Forgot password

    or