WATCH: Heartfelt farewell speech of retiring pilot that went viral

MANILA, Philippines— Amid the delayed flights caused by the runway closure, a video of a retiring pilot’s farewell speech to passenger and crew also went viral over the weekend.

On Saturday, several netizens took to social media to post the heartwarming speech of 67-year-old Cebu Pacific pilot Rizalino “Toto” Irizari.

Passenger Kathrine Tandingan, who is among those onboard the flight led by Irizari, told Philstar.com that the pilot made the farewell speech during a delayed flight on Saturday. The flight was bound for Mactan, Cebu.

Tandingan said Irizari served 48 years as a pilot.

Irizari's co-pilot Blue Pingoy also took to Facebook to dedicate a post to the former. She said half of Irizari's years of service was with the Philippine Airforce while the rest was with Cebu Pacific. 

In his speech, the teary-eyed pilot thanked the passengers, crew and his family for staying with him in his career.

“It’s a pleasure to have you on board. I would like to inform you in my career, this is my last flight here,” Irizari said, drawing cheers from passengers.

Passengers also quoted Irizari as saying he promised to spend his remaining years to serve the Lord.

“You know I missed a lot of Sundays... God bless everyone," passenger Enolueno Barona quoted Irizari, adding that passengers on board were also teary-eyed and clapping.

As part of the tradition to retiring pilots, Irizari said there were firetrucks to welcome him on his last flight yesterday. 

His retirement day and last operated flight coincided a day before his 67th birthday.

Watch the moving farewell speech here: