Tourists start to trickle in

About 1,047 balikbayans arrived in Mactan Cebu International Airport yesterday to witness the Sinulog grand parade on Jan. 15.

Tita Baad, chairperson of the Cebu City Tourism Commission, said the balikbayans boarded four international flights from four airline companies.

She said 300 balikbayans from California flew back home on board Eva Air while 247 mixed passengers boarded Cathay Pacific.

Over 100 balikbayans and foreigners, on the other hand, traveled with Tiger Air from Singapore while 400 mixed passengers boarded Philippine Airlines (PAL) from Incheon, South Korea.

Baad said another 300 balikbayans will arrive in Cebu today on board a PAL flight from Los Angeles, California.

According to Baad, the coordination on balikbayan arrivals this year was complicated because of the change in the airport management’s focal person and the late night arrival of the planes.

Patricia Aurora Roa, consultant of the Cebu Provincial Government, said the Balik Cebu Program is now on its 16th year.

A dinner for about 300 balikbayans and foreign tourists will be held in Ayala Center Cebu at 7 p.m. tonight.

Department of Tourism 7 Director Catalino Chan said they are expecting a million balikbayans and foreign tourists arriving in Cebu for the upcoming Sinulog festival. /