CEB T2, First Time

This is my take on the new Mactan Cebu International Airport Terminal Two (T2) that's now serving all international flights "in to" and "out of" Cebu. This opened 26 days ago, so I am a bit late. Ah whatever!

This will probably be a series of notes, since I often fly via this airport.

And.., while you may read a litany of my misgivings, rants and protests, this airport, even without T2, is still a better option for me (than MNL), as a departure point for international flights. But that's just me.

Let me start from yesterday... here's a video clip I shot as my flight arrived from Tacloban yesterday.
I said to my self "so that's T2, it looks beautiful on the outside. I'll see more of its insides tomorrow".

I made my way out, to check-in at a hotel, before going home (more of that later)! But I needed a puff!

This is a known smoking area, outside the departure area comfort rooms, and it has a view of the new Terminal 2 out there. But I could see that the parking lot connecting the two terminals is still not done.

I needed a plan. How will I go to that T2 early in the morning, if I can't walk on this parking area? Will a cab agree to take me for that short a ride? My hotel is just across the road (right flank of that photo).

While I was thinking about that, as I smoked of course, this thing arrived and stopped in front of me!

Ah! The free transfer bus between T1 and T2! I asked the driver if I can come down from Waterfront at 5AM and ride this bus. He said I can, but why not ride the hotel's free service at the lobby direct to T2?

Ah okay! So make the long story short, umuwi na ako, naglaba, bumalik, natulog, eto nag-uumaga na...

Let's Go!

Still drowsy, I dragged my royal highness to this airport at dawn, and I reached it at 0501H kanina. Yes, an unholy hour for a departure, that's why I stayed overnight at the Waterfront Mactan Hotel & Casino.

Why so early? Well, my flight departure today was scheduled at 7:05AM. Arghhhh yes! And Waterfront Airport Hotel insisted my free shuttle was 2 hours before that, even if I said I already did web check-in.

I said "okay, sige", since I know that these hotel staff (I now know some of them) have to stick to their protocols [i.e., pax to be at airport check-in 2 hours before ETD]. That's my personal standard anyway!

Many of you already know the answer to this question, but let me just say it again for those who don't know yet: Why Waterfront Airport Hotel? My house is in Banilad, just more than 8kms away from this airport, but for a 0705H international departure, an overnight stay at this hotel is the most convenient.

Imagine this: Departure is 7:05AM. That means you have to be at the airport by 5AM. It can be 6AM, if you did a web check-in. But what time do you leave your house or hotel if it were in the city center? It's not easy to get a cab (even grab) during the wee hours. So, what time do you wake up, for you to have enough time to bathe and prepare? Then, what time do you sleep the night before? Easy ba? Hasol oi!

Add this: no humans to wake me at the Banilad aprtment, so there's a chance I'd doze off again, after I already "killed" the alarm clock! It happened many times before na! So, the Waterfront Macta option, is still the most practical for me, especially on international departures (mas mahal magpa-rebook 'no?).

Ganun!

Anyway, let's talk about this new terminal. How is it? Okay ra - in general 😀

Let's start with this picture, as my "free limousine service" drove me from the hotel to T2

That is at the exit gate of the hotel. T2 can be seen with its distinct domelike design. I personally think it would be an easy walk of about 300 meters or so. But, it's not yet easily/safely walkable at this time.

Why walk anyway, when as a guest of the hotel, you have a free transport! Oh, the 'limousine' goes out of the gate, turns left passing by the domestic departure area (T1), left again, and another left, circling the hotel perimeter, then goes to an underpass, before going up an elevated rampway to T2 departure!

Here here.., blurred but discernable.., a view of T2 from the elevated rampway, as we approached.

Taken at 5:01AM, with my phone that does not at all like darkness, that is what I got - abstract hehe!

And this is where your 'private vehicle' or taxi would stop to send you off... then you walk to the right.

Vehicles can stop (not park) diagonally on that 3rd lane, only to unload passengers and their luggage. During daytime (peak hours) you'll be driven away if guards saw you not anymore unloading anything!

Note: I said "private vehicles or taxi", because I didn't see any indication that public transport vehicles are allowed in this area. I do remember the yellow multicabs from Pusok (beside Island Souvenirs and Starbucks) go to the T1 Departure Area. If it's still so, that's inconvenient for international passengers.

I'll try to see on my return or succeeding trips if at all MCIAA will do something about that.

Oh, back to my T2 experience! Then I walked on this 'bridge' (walkway) to the building itself.

I loved this walk, as it's also a photo-op area haha! But yes, I won't discount the fact that it may be very far for seniors, little children or the pregnant. Ah, if you say "anong klaseng design yan", I'll be with you!

Let's describe what we see anyway: That orange-colored counter at left is the 'porterage counter', but I can't say that with certainty, since as you see, it was unmanned when I passed by. Tulog pa ang mga..!

If you have ultra-sharp eagle-eyes, there are 5 wheelchairs before that orange counter. I am impressed that they have those ready and waiting. Pero wala yatang taga-tulak? Maybe kanyakanyang tulak lang.

Left and right side are stacks (rows) of baggage carts. I suppose those are free-of-charge - where you just grab them and go - as anywhere in the world, right? But no need any this time w/ just a backpack.

Alright. So I walked the long hallway towards the departure area entrances (yep, there are two)...

The seats are for passengers and their well-wishers (mga naghahatid). Of course you'll readily notice there are just a few seats - considering the number of international departures from this airport, daily.

But I will say "good", if not very good! Why is that? Ah, we Filipinos have this "culture", where our entire families and friends, send off a passenger all the way to the airport's entrance. I don't encourage that.

In fact I'm advocating for a stop of such unreasonably impractical act. It is nothing but "public drama", yet a waste of resources, sometimes even exposing ourselves to criminals at the airport public areas.

Y'know what I am saying?

Example: One domestic helper goes to Singapore; her whole family, plus friends and neighbors, sends her off at the airport, purportedly to wish her well, and so on. Mag-aarkila pa ng jeep, so that the whole clan can join the ride. Tapos tatambay sa mga upuan na yan. Tapos ano? When it is time for the DH to enter the check-in area ayun na, mag-hahagulgulan lang naman, mag-iiyakan na parang me pumanaw.

And when they return home, they'd discover they've been victimized by pickpockets at the airport.

Pwede ba sa bahay nalang mag-ngangangawa, maglupasay at mag-drama? Wag na sa airport, gastos at pagod na yan, dagdag stress pa sa pasahero. I hope less seats in that area will discourage people!

Pwede naman isa lang ang maghatid - yung driver. Ba't kelangan buong angkan e nasa airport? Anong deperensya kung sa bahay na mag-goodbye? Anong arte at drama yan? Yung iba nga nag-aabsent pa!

Itigil na ang walang katuturang paniniwala (pamahiin?) na yan. That's my advocacy hehehe!

So I like it that there are few seats in that area - to discourage whole families sending off passengers at the airport! In fact, I would advise travelers not to sit there, but go inside ASAP. It is safer that way.

Okay, let's proceed! At the end of that hallway, you turn to either side to enter the check-in area.

Oops, sorry I didn't care for my phone to capture vivid contents of those rectangular spaces up there. I realize, I should've ensured I got them clear. Those are logos of airlines now operating at this terminal.

Based on the airline logo placement up there, you turn either left or right, to easily find their respective check-in counters. Don't worry, in my next trip, I should be able to capture them clearly. Dili magdugay!

Oist! I have another trivia! Did you notice the information arrangement on those overhead signboards? They're arranged right-to-left, instead of the usual left-to-right! Look! Rows A&B are at right while Rows C&D are to the left. Even "entrance doors": Door 1 is to the right, Door 2 is at left. Wala lang, aliw lang!

Not that it hurts anyone (I guess), but they just look weirdly arbitrary hehehe. Aba, pag pinasulat ka ba ng A, B, C or 1, 2, 3 magsisimula ka sa kanan ng papel o sa kaliwa? That is what I'm comparing it with!

But I have a theory why it is like that... Arabo kasi (yata) ang nag-design at gumawa ng airport na ito!

Anyway, my flight was on Air Asia, its logo on the left, so I turned left going to Entrance Door 2

Can you see the red arrow that I drew on the pic? That is the way. If you notice above that door, there's a big number 2 (since that's Entrance Door 2). Where is Entrance Door 1? At the other end, behind me!

Notice too theres a dark-uniformed lady near the curve of my red arrow. She's a lady-guard, blue-guard (or whatever else they're called). She checks travel documents, only passengers can pass through her and enter that door to the check-in area. Of all humans in that picture, I can tell you there are only two passengers. All others are mga naghatid (airports call them well-wishers) - that, we discussed above!

There are not many people yet since this was only 5:04AM. Other flights that just departed or about to depart early are/were those with not many Filipinos (going to China or Korea). But it's easy to imagine that this place (buti walang upuan) will be crowded with many "naghahatid" sometime later in the day.

So I entered, and I immediately noticed something kakaiba even at that door. No X-Ray Check, yehey! You can even see it in the picture above. After the glass walls, you won't see the usual x-ray machines.

The laagan in me was rejoicing, but the safety-concious well-tarveled me was asking "why"? Have they installed or implemented anything for security, so that such a nuisance at the entrance is not anymore needed? Hmm, it looked to me like wala naman, so... does that mean the country is 'relaxing' security?

Ha! That would've been very good news (if security is relaxed, that means there are less threats). But, why are the 'entrance x-ray machines' of other airports (including that of Mactan T1) still there? Hmm, duda me! I therefore concluded, their x-ray machines haven't arrived yet but they needed to inaugurate.

Well hehehe, let's see if the entrances of T2 were really never meant to have x-ray machines by plan or design. O baka naman 'di lang nakahabol sa opening ceremony ni DU30! I will know in my next flights!

It's okay my dear kapwa Pinoy Travelers. Having no "x-ray at the entrance to the check-in counter" this time, can still be considered within the "statistically proven safe period" after opening an airport. Bakit 'kamo? Well, at this stage (1mo after opening) bad guys are believed to be still planning "how to move around this new facility"! Pinag-aaralan pa yan ng mga masasamang-loob kung papaano sila gagalaw!

After 3 months that it's still like that, well... either 1) safe at di na kelangan or 2) pray extra everyday!

I hope it is because of #1 - meaning "safe na sa ating bansa". then our airports will be same as others!

Another trivia: As far as I can remember of the many countries I have been to, only Maldives, India and Sri Lanka lang have airport entrances like ours - yung meron agad x-ray pag pasok pa lang ng building. Those are also the places I remember where, pag dating ko pa lang sa check-in counter, pagod na ako! Yes gad Mana! Just like at any airport in the Philippines pipila ka sa labas ng building kahit kumikidlat!

Sabagay, it's only in the Philippines too, where entering a mall or building is like entering the departure area of our airports. Yun iba talagang me x-ray pang nalalaman. Pugad na ba talaga tayo ng terorista?

Anyway, the Air Asia Check-in Coutner (Row D) is just a few steps from Door 2 that I entered (above).

Nice-looking check-in counters, right? The desks are round. They look like woven native baskets. Aliw!

I like them, although I think they were built a bit too low - at just about my waistline. Pero, pwede na!

FYI, just a mere glance at that photo, I'm sure my fellow service industry experts will disapprove at the functionality of those check-in desks. It's a design flaw, as it does not conform to the 'art' and 'science' of delightful human interactions, according to me, myself and I! I won't elaborate, email me for more!

Now... why was I standing at the Baggage Drop Counter when I had no check-in baggage to drop?

Ah, one of their staff controlling the lines told me to do so. I followed her instructions. Masunurin ako!

Let us talk about this for a bit. Due to 'evolution of travel', many things are now different from the past, and many things vary from airline to airline and passenger to passenger - like the "web check-in" thing.

I already did my web check-in, why still go to the check-in coutners? Haay, because daw, they still have to check our documents like passport, visa, return ticket and so on. Bakit, immigration officer na rin ba sila? Aba hindi, pero ganun daw talaga ang 'patakaran' at sumusunod lang sila sa utos ni immigration.

They also need to check if you already paid your Travel Tax. Eto ang absurd: if you paid that Travel Tax online (sa gobyerno yan, hindi sa airline), all the same kelangan mo ipakita ang payment details mo sa Travel Tax Counter - ngeh! You still need to see their counter din pala! What's the use of paying online?

If it's any consolation, the travel tax counter in this T2, is just across the Air Asia check-in area..

That TIEZA counter would be behind you, if you were facing Air Asia check-in desks at row D. Each TV screen has a TIEZA logo which does not help any passenger anyway. Isulat na lang kasi: TRAVEL TAX. Espelingin mo pa: Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority. Does it say Travel Tax? Haist!

Anyway, if you observe, this is a nice structure. You can see the "wooden" finish everywhere. That's the side of the building, all glass. It is probably bright during the day, so no need for fluorescent lights 'no?

Ooops wait! So how did my check-in and travel tax payment go? Ganito...
1. Pila: I presented my web-check-in details at the bag drop counter.
2. Staff issued me my boarding pass, but held on to it, asked me to see the TIEZA.
3. Paid at that TIEZA desk (pic above), got my Official Receipt (white & pink copies).
4. Went back to bag drop counter. Pila ulit! Gave the pink copy, got my boarding pass.

So what was the use of doing my web-check-in the day before? Actually, essentially, technically "wala" hahaha! Ah, on "denied boarding" situations, baka you won't be first to be denied since you checked-in early, and ahead of many! Because a Denied Boarding Situation (DBC) is "last-in first-out", remember?

Question daw: "What if I were a foreigner (non-Filipino), who's not required to pay the Philippine Travel Tax, who has no check-in baggage, and I already did my web check-in, do I need to pass by the check-in counters"? Yes! I specifically asked that question, and the staff repeatedly told me "all passengers"!

Btw, I also asked why they needed to print a boarding pass for me, when I already have the electronic copy from web check-in. Staff told me they proposed it, but government's reply was "eh saan ikakabit yung terminal fee receipt"? And we laughed, because that is such a dumb reason! Haaay government!

Speaking of Terminal Fee, let's go there now. But let's pass by this - another counter beside TIEZA...

I don't know if there's a generic name for that counter hehe! The first-two TV screens have POEA Logo, so I guessed, that's where you get an OEC (for OFWs only). I asked the manong there, he said yes it is!

I asked if the counter as a whole, has a name. The manong (look closely at the picture, he is under the 1st TV screen!) said "ambot, basta mao ni ang POEA counter" (referring to his location in that counter)!

One of these days, let's talk about that OEC. I think it is another "duh" of your government hehehe!

I checked those other TV Screens just to know the services they offer. The 3rd one has a logo of Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). Why do they have to have a counter at the departure check-in area? Opisina ang dapat sa kanila hindi counter lang sa departure - since passengers have nothing to do with them! Kaya ayun, walang tao yung CAB counter hehe. Dahil ano naman gagawin nila dito, especially at 5AM?

The next two TV Screens (4th and 5th) only have GMR Megawide logos, so I guess they're still vacant, while the last one has the logo of the national police Aviation Security Group. And FYI aba yes me tao!

You'll see at the end (right edge of picture above), there are seats. Ah yes, if for some reason you can't check-in yet, or you're waiting for some companions, you can wait at those seats. There are just a few!

That brings us to the next step in the departure process - the Terminal Fee Counters (white arrow).

You can see there are 2 passengers there. But let us talk about that in the next picture below. For now, let me describe other areas in front of me, while I walked, after checking-in with the Air Asia counters.

Yellow arrow points to a room that seems to be still vacant. Blue arrow points to the Comfort Rooms - now you know where to find them if you felt like it, at the check-in counters. Red arrow points to a big x-ray machine, labeled on top with "Oversize Baggage". Ah yes, they mean "oversized". Hayaan na yan!

Left of that red arrow (not seen in photo) are the very few seats mentioned in the previous paragraph above. There is an ATM at that corner - Autoamted Teller Machine ha? Not Automatic Tubig Machine!

Okay, I turned right at the white arrow above, and this are what I saw...

At left are the two people I earlier mentioned who were paying at the Terminal Fee Counters. There are only 2 counters, but I think they can fit 2 collectors each. I still suspect though, they will oftentimes be crowded! There's a similar setup at the other end. You can pay there if there's a long line at this corner.

The desk at right (behind the cleaning lady) was my next step after paying my terminal fee. That is the right place for passengers to get and fill out Immigration Departure Cards (a.k.a. Embarkation Cards).

The forms are on the desk. There are only 2 pens na ayaw nang sumulat, so be sure you have yours!

I was mildly surprised there were two kinds of the same form on that desk. But no issue. They are just the same Departure Cards. So, pick any. Maybe the immigration office is trying to use up older stocks.

When ready with the departure card, it's time to enter the immigration area (red arrow in previous pic).

But I did not enter yet! I made a quick stroll, just to see the rest of the new terminal's check-in areas.

I like that clear-glass partition separating immigration area from the check-in areas. The transparency, together with the high stylish ceiling, makes the place look all the more maaliwalas and sosyalin! Nice!

We can see how long is the zigzagging line at the immigration counters, and how many (only!) are the officers on duty. So that... you immediately know if you should rush to join that line ASAP, or chill lang!

Then I looked to my right, and I said oh wow! This is the middle of the check-in hall, looking outside.

This was only 5:21AM, so it was still a bit dark outside, although I could already see the sky lightening up. The "oh wow" for me here, is the look and feel of that ceiling. I like the feeling of wood everywhere.

At that far end, after and outside the floor-to-ceiling glass, is the long walkway that I earlier walked-on to approach this building from the curbside, after I got off the Waterfront Hotel's free transfer service.

At right is Check-in Row C. On the other side of that is Row D where I checked-in with Air Asia. At left is Check-in B, where a PAL flight has just finished check-in activity for one flight. Behind that is Row A.

If you'll think about its size, this is not really a big one

Okay, enough of those views for the moment. I'll be passing this way soon and many times, I suppose. Let me look around the rest of these areas in those coming flights *pohon*. So, I entered immigration.

No pictures. You already know that, right? Bawal yan! Some of you probably remember, that I disagree to that rule since there's nothing secret nor "threat to national security" in an immigration line hehehe! But until or unless that rule is revoked (hindi batas yan, by the way), I follow and obey. So, no pictures!

After immigration was the first and last x-ray machine I encountered on this my first trip using T2.

I believe this is a more 'delicate' area than immigration counters. Pangalan pa lang eh Security Check. Yet, I was allowed to take a photo. But take note: I asked permission -nagpaalam ako- to take that pic!

Why did I want to take that picture anyway? Well, aba it's now a little "high-tech" oi! You don't anymore just toss your things to the conveyor belt of the x-ray machine. Everything must be placed inside those trays - at kesehudang tatlo ang magamit mo - you must place them in a tray. Even shoes, if requested.

That thing is kind of "automated" - that is what I really wanted to catch. After you pick your things, you place that tray in that stack you see in the picture. Then it automatically sends the bottom tray to front of the x-ray machine for others to use. Yes, tumatakbo sya mag-isa dun sa ilalim! No humans needed! I wasn't able to take a pic, but those trays just automatically pop out at the front of the machine! Aliw!

Curious what those big trash bins are doing there? Wheh, you already know that! The 'trashcan' where you dunk things that are not allowed as handcarry like hairspray, malaking shampoo, big perfume etc!

Reminder: know what is allowed and what is not, so you know when to argue and when to give up! Ah, let us not anymore talk about it, but of course, meron nakikinabang sa mga laman ng trashcan na yan.

Note: whatever you are told to throw in there, chances are it was your fault - 'di mo muna inalam!

Let's continue inwards to the pre-departure areas of this new MCIA Terminal 2. What is this...?

A yet to open commercial space! It can be a store, a restaurant or whatever, but as of this time, not yet ready to serve! It's the same as in the malls, right? An artsy way of saying "Soon To Open", or "Vacant"!

I turned right... some stalls still not open for business. But I liked this signage! I love where it leads to!

I told my self I should maybe eat a bit, look at gates 20-22, the toilet, and syempre, the smoking room!

As with any airport... shops shops shops and more shops compete for every passengers' attention!

Filipino snacks are common such as pili or cashew nuts. But my sleepy chinky eyes grew a little wider to see that table in front of the 'chilled drinks'. They're selling eggs by the tray. Gosh! Who buys them?

Hmm, to my royal handsomeness, this is one of the very important corners inside Terminal 2...

Alams na! Arrow points 'to the right'! But I said I'll do that after I grab something to eat as this will be a longer ride than usual. Can't avail of the free buffet breakfast at Waterfront since it only starts at 6AM.

Actually, not that I was even hungry (I usually don't eat anything for breakfast anyway). I just thought I needed to fill the stomach as I was not sure I could find anything savory on landing at Kuala Lumpur :)

Ayan, choices facing me were Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and/or Burger King...

I loved the rustic ambiance of this CBTL branch. I am also a fan of their all-day-breakfast. Yet, thinking of "any grilled burger, topped with bacon strips, plus Coke" from Burger King was more than titillating!

Easy decision! I got a burger from BK, and sat at CBTL's seats with a view

Nice tambay! Nibbling on something, sipping my Coke, watching the runway brighten up with sunrise. CBTL staff said it was fine to have BK food in their shop, as both are under just one franchisee. Luvit!

Next stop, the Smoking Room of course! It's too small, probably good for just 6 to 8 people at a time.

Lucky for me, I was alone (at first), since this wasn't even 6AM yet! Note: airport staff smoke here too!

Notice my backpack is on one table with the BK paper bag hehe! Good I had that 'to go' since the fries and Coke alone already got me really burping busog at 5:53AM! Eh I haven't even gotten to half of the burger. I said I'll eat them in the plane later. So, palakad-lakad ako bitbit ang supot na yan! Nerdy look!

The toilet is nicely designed, clean, does not have enough exhaust, but smells fine anyway...

The floors are clean and dry. The hand dryers (there even two) are new and tehy work strong and fast. And I loved that fake plant on the wall, though I think it would have been best placed a bit to the right!

Oh, facing the comfort rooms is this hi-tech, sosyal-looking drinking water dispenser. Walang tubig!

Wheh! Facility kayo dyan. What, it conked out just 26 days after start of operations, or it hasn't started working yet ever since? Parang kotse lang na walang gas, o parang masetera na walang halaman. Ah!

There is a currency exchange desk at this wing of the terminal which I found very convenient!

I generally don't use them, since there are a lot of ATMs everywhere on earth, and the rates don't really vary much. But I still had peso bills in the wallet making it thick hehehe. So, I changed them into MYR.

This is the waiting louge of Gate 16 and 17. It is more of a common waiting area for any passenger...

The style here, obviously owing to the limited space, is having seating areas for anyone who needs to do so on whichever flight they may be assigned to board. No more dedicated seats per gate like at T1.

The seats are good. There are not many electric receptacles for charging phones or gadgets, but the telcos do have their advertising standees that also double as "charging stations". Unahan at agawan pa rin syempre. No airport on earth has enough of those, dahil lahat ng pasahero gusto maki-saksak!

Oh, there is a glass-walled elevator over at the end. But that's only for PWD and people who cant walk via the stairs or ride escalators going down. Going down? Ah yes, the aerobridges are one floor down!

6:28AM I started to walk towards my assigned gate (15), passing by other areas just for a go-see...

This way onwards to boarding gates 20 to 22. This part of the building protudes out to the tarmac.

On the right side are Gates 20 and 21 while at the end are Gates 22A and 22B. Bakit ganun? Malay ko!

Let's check on that next time I fly. By the way, to the right of those cute lounge chairs is already coffee bean & tea leaf where I came from earlier. The bar at left is an "island bar" in the middle of the hallway.

Aside from comfort rooms, on that white wall at left are going to be airline lounges (said the info girl). Where's that info girl? To my left as I took that pic, just before that island bar is the information island!

O ano, laban ka? Kung ano kaliit ang terminal na 'to, siya namang laki ng information counter hahaha! Hmm, I didn't see an information counter out front or near the check-in area. I forgot to ask them why!

Ooops, I heard my flight being boarded at Gate 15. Let's go there now...

This is the way if you turn leftwards after the security x-ray and rows of duty free shops.

Not just snacks, but full meal courses from many Asian lands are served at this restaurant. Like duck!

And I like how they cook Peking Duck in Hongkong. Pero jusko naman, kailangan ba ibigti na ganiyan? Hahaha kalain ba! Bisag lami, maluoy 'tawon tas pato oi! Feeling ko tuloy cruelty to animals pa rin yan!

Well okay, across that fine-diner-looking Asian Kitchen na may nakabigti na pato... there's this!

Ah, in Cebu or in the whole Philippines, I wonder if there's anyone who doesn't like Bonchon 'no? K-Pop culture! Their tables at right have views of the planes below, while those at left face that "duck" above!

Another waiting area. No gates here but you can see (lower left corner) some tables of Asian Kitchen.

There are also some of the standing advertisements by the telcos that double as charging stations.

OMG final call na! I must have lost track of time roaming around this new terminal. First time eh!

This concourse goes to just two gates (15 and 14). This building seems not optimized for airport use.

Ayan... not yet 'all aboard', but they told me I was one of seven more passengers they were waiting for.

I have not been to that other end yet. Oh, there is also an elevator there. What a lavish style. Okay fine!

They told me to follow those two passengers going down the escalators. Okay, masunurin ako!

And this is after going down the escalator. I wonder if this is also the arrivals level. Yeah, maybe it is.

It should be, since it's level with the aerobridge. But I will know for sure when I return from this trip.

Even going to the aerobridge itself still has many turns. Werd. Confusing. Not good for passengers :)

Sige na lang. Maybe things are still temporary. Ano ito, trial-and-error? Oh, here's the airside view...

Yes, that's how the building looks from the tarmac or airplane side. Pwede. Not bad, not bad at all!

And after one final turn, here I was about to reach the end of the aerobridge and board Air Asia...

Good enough. But as of now, I don't seem to like the passenger flow. Too many liku-liko up and down.

Well, not yet time to condemn. It's just my first time to see it. I have yet to arrive too. One thing is sure though, if we disregard true passenger safety, security, comfort and convenience, if only for the looks, I like the design of this thing. For an airport terminal, the whole building looks sosyalin at maaliwalas!

But let me go first to Malaysia transiting to Indonesia (final destination Banda Aceh) actually.

Let's know more about Mactan-Cebu's Terminal 2 next time. Yeah, it won't be long!

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