Pangolin named after pandemic returned to Palawan

MANILA, Philippines — For the second time, a pangolin endemic to Palawan was rescued and flown back to its habitat last month.

"Pandi" was found roaming around Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa City near midnight of August 16.

Scared but healthy with a full belly, Pandi weighed almost five kilograms and was named because it was discovered during the pandemic.

Residents got in touch with environmentalist Anna Varona, who said the pangolin may have been poached to be sold and eaten since pangolins rarely survive being away from their original habitat in Palawan.

After further medical inspection and papers were finalized, Pandi was flown home via Cebu Pacific flight 5J 643 on August 21.

“We thank everyone who helped in sending Pandi back home. The Cebu Pacific team handled Pandi with utmost care. This also shows how the company values wildlife conservation,” said the airline company's Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist Roxanne Gochuico, who coordinated the return of Pandi to Palawan.

Pandi was the second pangolin to be rescued by authorities. In 2018, a pangolin named “Panggoy” was also discovered in Ayala Alabang Village but died while waiting for its repatriation.

The Philippine Pangolin is one of the four species found in Asia. The others are Chinese, Sunda, and Indian. All four are listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The species found in Africa are also categorized as vulnerable.

The IUCN Species Survival Commission Pangolin Specialist Group in 2014 said that the pangolins are the most illegally traded mammal in the world.

According to the report, consumers are willing to pay "increasingly high prices for their meat, which is being plated up at banquets across the East as a luxury food." In traditional Chinese medicine, pangolin scales are also believed to treat a wide variety of conditions including psoriasis and poor circulation.

The airline has always supported wildlife conservation. In 2015, it began supporting the Philippine Eagle Mindanao, and just recently, the company has renewed adoption for another year as it trains to be an ambassador.

CEB Super Pass returns

The company's 25th year celebration is far from over as the leading airline once again offers its innovative, first-of-its-kind CEB Super Pass available until September 16.

Made especially for Juans who value flexibility, convenience, and affordability, this 99-peso (one-way base fare) is for those who want to go on a vacation or travel to visit family and friends, or even for work. The Super Pass can be use for any of the airline’s over 30 domestic destinations.

What’s more – you can buy all you can and fly when you can – perfect as gifts to our loved ones this Christmas season. Travel period for these passes is September 16, 2021 all the way up to September 30, 2022. 

Passengers who have existing Travel Funds may also make use of their virtual wallets to stock up on these vouchers. 

“We want to keep inspiring everyJuan to look forward to traveling no matter what their reason may be – be it for immediate travel, or for the coming months. Because the situation continues to be fluid, we know the CEB Super Pass is a timely option for guests who know they want and need to travel, but are unsure of destinations and dates. With this voucher, everyJuan is guaranteed a very affordable fare,” said Candice Iyog, the company's Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience.

Purchasing the CEB Super Pass can be done in just four easy steps: all “Juan” has to do is go to http://bit.ly/CSP9-9, input the number of passes you want, add passenger names and pay. Payment may be settled via existing Travel Funds, or other online payment options such as credit cards. Once successful, your CEB Super Pass will be sent via email, for keeping until you are ready to redeem with a final place and date in mind.

Booking the CEB Super Pass can be done via the “Redeem CEB Super Pass” tab on the website as early as 30 days before the flight’s departure or until seven days before intended flight date, as long as seats are still available. Vouchers may be redeemed until September 23, 2022. 

Guests may redeem CEB Super Pass by clicking the "CEB Super Pass" icon under "Book" on the menu on the CEB website. A maximum of 10 vouchers per transaction is allowed, however there is no limit to the number of total vouchers each passenger can avail until September 16 – allowing everyJuan to buy as many vouchers as they want.

"You can count on us to ensure we continue fulfilling our commitment to provide seamless connectivity and value-for-money deals so we keep enabling everyJuan to fly,” added Iyog. 

CEB currently flies to 32 domestic destinations, mainly from its hubs in Manila and Cebu.