Mactan-Cebu International Airport — Local services in Lapu-Lapu

I have flown out of T2 twice and my recent visit (March '25) has shown much improvement.

Arrivals: straightforward. passport control was quick (landed on a Tuesday afternoon and it was fairly quiet). Luggage: took some time for luggage to come out (multiple flights arrived but they only used the 1 belt). But once collected, it's just a matter of going through customs. Make sure you fill out the e-travel form and have your QR code ready prior to landing for quick processing (they check these at customs). So handy having the parking outside the doors, especially with the heat! Public WiFi. Great to have when you land and need to get in touch with family collecting you.

Departures: For one, airport/transfers fees are no longer collected in the airport (included in ticket/fare in my case). Emirates staff were sound and if you use the app for online check in, there's a much quicker queue which acts as a baggage drop off and they print out your boarding pass too. It was also nice to not be surrounded by staff members trying to 'help' you with luggage. Really liked having access to water fountains (which also does Hot water for those who like to snack on pot noodles). Sign postage for these needs to be improved, however they are close to where toilets are. Toilets were clean, with a bathroom attendant to keep the place running. Appreciated having a bidet and toilet paper 😅. Security check: felt pretty safe. Arrived and left with all my electronics/jewellery. No 'foreign material' found on my person or in any of my belongings and went through security with no problems. Security staff were friendly and professional.

Needs improvement: There is no A/C or fans around the place (except for a spot in duty free) There was no noticeable draft/breeze passing which can be uncomfortable if you're not used to the heat and humidity. Would have been nice to have an open air area like they have in Hawaiian airports. improve signage for utilities such as water fountains etc. lack of plugs to charge electronics by the waiting area. They were mostly by restaurants/bar. The duty free/shops inside the airport were priced in $. Was fairly pricey too, so as usual, get your souvenirs beforehand. Oh another thing: there is 1 electronic shop in the place and they do not carry dual adapters for headphones to use in the airplanes (as is the case with Emirates). Would have been nice to see local restaurants within the T2. I don't understand why there are Korean/Japanese dining establishments but there are limited dining options which showcases Filipino food? T1 has a lot more going on re. Shops/restaurants etc, unfortunately the 2 terminals are not connected/accessible ie you can't just go to T1 to use their facilities and vice versa, which is sorely missed in T2/international terminal.

There is some scaremongering on local news re. Staff allegedly 'found foreign items' inside luggages etc; however in this case, airport staff were professional and this wasn't the case during my visit.

Overall, since we've used this airport since we left the Philippines you can tell they have put in a lot of work to improve the place and it...

My wife lives in the Philippines. We got married in 2023 and we've been going through a long process for her to come here to the U.S. She has been working very hard lately and I wanted to do something nice for her so I bought her and my daughter a vacation to Boracay. It is a beautiful place and perfect for relaxing for a couple of days.

I purchased the tickets online about a month in advance. However, when she finally checked in and got the boarding passes, she discovered that she was not seated anywhere near our under age daughter. On the way there she had the ride on the plane without her minor daughter seated next to her. I felt this was strange. I purchased the tickets at the same time and stated the age of my wife and our daughter. Why would the airline separate them? My wife, none-the-less, tolerated it and was without her daughter for both the initial flight and connecting flight to Boracay.

On the first flight on the way back, my wife had to convince Cebu Pacific not to separate her and our child by having them take separate shuttle to the airplane. I am confused as to why this would happen. Could you imagine having your young child on a shuttle without with strangers?

Prior to the beginning of the trip, my wife arranged for our daughter to be out of school and to take an exam upon return. However, they kicked my daughter and my wife off of the connecting flight back to their home. Cebu Pacific had overbooked the flight and chose the mother and daughter not to fly that day. My wife's explanation that our daughter had an exam the next day fell on deaf ears.

My wife called and worked with the school. She was able to convince them to let her take the test the next day. Cebu Pacific did put them up in a hotel room and picked them up the next day. However, within an hour of arrival to the airport, the flight was delayed. Then suddenly, they had everyone board the plane. And in just a few minutes they had everyone de-plane due to maintenance issues.

Cebu Pacific set a new boarding time of 8:00 and then some minutes later changed it to 8:30 and it continued to change until it read 11:00.

I am completely amazed at the disorganization and disinterest in the welfare of Cebu Pacific's passengers. I'm a level 8 reviewer on Google and I rarely give bad reviews. At most I will just ignore poor quality and service. In this case, I will not ignore this. I must speak out for the terrible treatment that my wife and daughter have been handed via Cebu Pacific.

If you are travelling, do yourself a favor and avoid using Cebu Pacific to get to your...

⭐☆☆☆☆ Singapore Airlines at Cebu: Come for the Racism, Stay for the Ableism

Ah yes, the legendary Singapore Airlines — “A Great Way to Fly™”… unless you’re limping, slightly tanned, and not radiating Stepford-wife energy.

Let me paint you a picture. I arrive at Cebu Airport (which, by the way, is a well-oiled dream machine — kudos to the actual professionals running the place). I hobble my way to the Singapore Airlines counter with a clear injury and politely ask if I can use the Special Assistance queue. And just like that, I’m greeted with all the warmth of a frozen fish.

“Only if you’re in a wheelchair,” they say, eyes glazed over with the kind of customer service apathy you usually find at abandoned theme parks. No concern, no questions — just a stiff smile and a thinly veiled “not our problem.”

Here’s the plot twist: while I’m being told to “go sit down and wait my turn” like a naughty schoolboy, I watch a stream of lighter-skinned, able-bodied passengers stroll right into the priority lane like it’s the runway at Changi Terminal 4 Fashion Week.

Apparently, at Singapore Airlines Cebu, the real boarding group priority goes: Fair & Fabulous Injured but Pale Tan and Tired? Get to the Back, Peasant.

It was like auditioning for The Amazing Race: Terminal Edition, except I wasn’t amazing enough — just injured and the wrong shade of brown.

You’d think Singapore Airlines, with all their ads of silk-clad stewardesses and harmony and elegance, would also serve a little empathy at ground level. Wrong. What they serve is ice-cold discrimination wrapped in corporate politeness. It’s like being kicked in the knee, but with a smile and a brochure.

Their staff act like they’re defending the gates of heaven, not checking in economy passengers in Cebu. And God forbid you ask for help — suddenly they need a policy review, a manager, and probably a blood sample.

So here’s my takeaway: If you’re injured, bring your own wheelchair and a spray tan remover. Maybe also rehearse a fake accent and wear a polo with a golf club logo. That’s the only way you’ll get treated like a person here.

Singapore Airlines, this is 2025. Try catching up. You can’t parade around the world with your “hospitality excellence” awards while turning away people in pain just because they’re not photogenic enough for your check-in line.

Until then? You’re not a “great way to fly.” You’re just a disappointing way to walk away limping — emotionally...