Jeepney Press / Neriza Sarmiento -Saito

Neriza Sarmiento - Saito's

On the Road to

A Bird’s Eye View On the Plight Of Airline Companies MR. RAPHAEL G. ROMUALDO Area Manager PAL, Western Japan

Mr. Raphael G. Romualdo

On March 27th, I joined a live zoom session called Fiesta Filipinas organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Fiesta Filipinas is a series of online events featuring Philippine festivals, culture and tradition. The 3rd event was “Visita Iglesia“, coinciding with the Lenten season. As a matter of fact, I felt very nostalgic especially when various churches in Iloilo were shown in the virtual tour. It has been more than a year since I got on a plane, and now wondering when I’ll ever get a chance to travel back home again.

As temperatures get mildly warm and cherry blossoms are in full bloom, it doesn’t seem to suffice my desire to smell the scent of flowers and candles at Processions on “Miyerkules Santo” and “Biyernes Santo“ and the sound of neighbors singing at a “Pabasa“. There’s really nothing more satisfying than being in the Philippines to enjoy our festivals once the pandemic is under control.

The airline industry is one of the many businesses that suffered a big blow and many lost sources of livelihood. After some months of uncertainties, I am finally able to convince Mr. Raphael G. Romualdo, the Area Manager of Philippine Airlines, Western Japan to be featured here.

It has been years since a new Filipino manager has been assigned in Kansai after Mr. Antonio Herrera, who retired as Asst. Vice-President of Philippine Sales. When Mr. Tomoyuki Nagao, the former Area Manager in Western Japan was promoted to Country Manager in Tokyo, Mr. Romualdo was assigned in Osaka.

The soft-spoken and quiet Mr. Romualdo arrived in Kansai on a freezing winter night with his wife Donna and young son, Noah. Neatly tucked inside his luggage was a rosary and a crucifix and with that he was ready to meet the challenges of his first ever assignment abroad.

The young manager’s father is from Cavite and mother is from Pampanga. His parents were very pious, a trait he has passed on to his son. His parents always told him that “Nasa Diyos ang Awa, nasa tao ang gawa“. After graduating from Colegio de San Juan de Letran, he worked in several domestic branches of Philippine Airlines before being assigned as Branch Manager in Laoag, Kalibo and Clark. He met a young staff in one of PAL’s ticketing offices, Donna, romance bloomed and they tied the knots. It was after 6 years that their son Noah was born. Raphael says that “Becoming a father made me realize that I am not only a provider to my family but also a partner in raising a God-fearing and responsible child.“

When COVID-19 brought a global crisis, the travel industry suffered a setback. They had to adapt business practices to the new normal. In the beginning, it was too difficult for him to cope with the changes. On top of that, he was terribly homesick because his wife and son could not come back to Japan because of the pandemic until finally before the end of 2020, they were finally reunited. It was a relief for him to have his family by his side at a time when he had to make important decisions. Their tasks became more crucial because aside from safety standards as top priority, they have to monitor travel and quarantine restrictions in the Philippines and in Japan.

April in Japan is a time for a fresh start, that’s why school begins in April, new workplaces, transfer to new homes. Cherry blossoms bloom after a long, cold winter. And most of all, it’s Easter, a very significant celebration of the resurrection of Jesus and a chance for us to reflect on life! We also hope that our country’s foremost airline can recover from these adversities.

The following are Mr. Romualdo’s response to Jeepney Press’ Questions:

When you first arrived in Osaka, what were your impressions?

I noticed that it is a foreigner-friendly place. Aside from English translations in many signages, the people are kind and helpful especially when you ask for directions. They also talk in a calm and polite manner.

When you are homesick, what do you remember most about the Philippines and what do you do to cope with this?

When I’m in the Philippines, I look forward to Sundays. After hearing mass, our families gather and enjoy a meal together. Also the “Ber” months make me feel more homesick because over there, people start to play Christmas songs and start decorating for Christmas. To take my mind off homesickness, I joined a group of other foreigners who play basketball at sports centers all over Osaka. This helped me see other places where I can bring my family.

Would you like to give a message to our kababayans in Japan?

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all Filipino communities in Japan for supporting and patronizing PAL. Rest assured that PAL will continue to serve its purpose and that is to be of service to the Philippines and the Filipino people.

Neriza Sarmiento-Saito / Jeepney Press