In an amusing coincidence (see yesterday’s entry), I just learned that Cebu Pacific, in association with Word Camp Philippines, has sponsored a contest called the Cebu Pacific Blogging Challenge.
The contest is open to all bloggers, although the prizes are yet to be specified; do read the official blog entry to read the mechanics. The main item in the mechanics that amuses me, however, is item number 4:
Contest entries are blog posts that:
1. are at least 200 words long;
2. talk about places that are destinations of Cebu Pacific flights (e.g., Davao City);
3. must not contain negative reviews of the airline or any harmful content pertaining to the airline in any manner;
4. contain at least one text link to http://www.cebupacificair.com (e.g., “Cebu Pacific” or “affordable flights in the Philippines”), and must not have the rel=”nofollow” attribute in the link tag;
5. must not contain any other links except to Cebu Pacific’s website.
Emphasis mine.
Cebu Pacific has undergone a LOT of negative criticism lately, including from this blogger, and all I see in this contest is a futile effort to “balance” the “distorted” views of Cebu Pacific online and convince everyone that their airline is great, if only because they’re baiting us bloggers to blog about them in a positive way.
The irony is that the solution to Cebu Pacific’s bad reputation woes will need a lot more than a blogging contest. I will have to reserve my opinions regarding how to reverse public perception for another post.
Consider this as my (un)official entry to the blogging contest. 
18 responses so far ↓
1 the jester-in-exile // Sep 11, 2008 at 2:25 pm
jon, item 9:
so why will anyone want to join this contest?
2 Jon Limjap // Sep 11, 2008 at 2:44 pm
jester,
At their own risk, I guess! :p
3 respe // Sep 11, 2008 at 4:06 pm
this is my official entry..
http://wehatecebupacific.webs.com
4 wilson ng // Sep 11, 2008 at 6:27 pm
oh, c’mon,
can’t be that bad….
all companies and people makes stupid mistakes…. and they do too….. the technique is to succeed by not making too much…
5 Jon Limjap // Sep 11, 2008 at 7:33 pm
@wilson,
Well, the rate Cebu Pacific is going, they’ve done waaay too much.
As I stated in the previous post’s comments, the contention of many of the stories in the website is not that flights get delayed per se, but it is by the demeanor Cebu Pacific employees handle those situations e.g., by being rude to their customers instead of being apologetic regarding the situation, which adds insult to injury.
So all of these little skirmishes has led to a lot of blog pots which I’ve come to believe is the only REAL reason this contest even exists.
6 noemi // Sep 11, 2008 at 10:04 pm
I haven’t flown Cebu Pacific in ages. I think the last time I took their plane, their reputation was sky-high. I think they even had games on board? An easter egg hunt of sorts. Do they still do that.
They should also try to improve customer service. I think that is more important.
7 MiGs // Sep 16, 2008 at 4:07 pm
It was the organizers of wordcamp philippines who thought of having a “blogging challenge” which involves travel.. We thought of this to promote the places here in the Philippines. As you might have known by now, we, Bloggers from Mindanao, are really encouraging everyone to visit places lalo na here down south.
And we approached cebu pacific for this. And they gave us a nod.
8 Jon Limjap // Sep 16, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Migs,
I sincerely believe that you approached the wrong airline for this. But that’s just me.
Speaking of which… I have pending blog entries regarding to my trips around the Philippines, including one to Camiguin. Fine, fine island that place is.
Gotta get that posted soon.
9 freeze // Sep 17, 2008 at 1:15 pm
prizes not disclosed? isn’t that against the rules of DTI?
how about free tickets? taxes and surcharges excluded!!!
10 Jon Limjap // Sep 17, 2008 at 2:38 pm
freeze,
The prizes are 5 roundtrip domestic airline tickets with Cebu Pacific, one for each of the 5 winning entries.
That’s clearly specified in the rules. Hopefully they’re tax free.
11 gizmo // Sep 19, 2008 at 9:15 pm
i think they’re tax free. however are the winners assured that the prizes can be booked and not get bumped off at the last minute?
12 the jester-in-exile // Sep 24, 2008 at 3:58 pm
no, gizmo, the contest rules say that you and your tickets will have the same airline rules as other passengers.
13 Chino F // Sep 26, 2008 at 4:08 am
Whoever must’ve been the exec that made 5J good in the old days must be gone. Whoever’s in there now may be downright incompetent… or just not listened to by management.
But 5J’s a Filipino-run business run Filipino way. Go figure. The good businesses here always adopt foreign management methods… our country’s culture never had a management method… just excellent mismanagement methods.
14 Mrs. G // Sep 28, 2008 at 12:03 pm
If normal airline rules will apply, how is that different from their Piso-fare promo?
Maybe Respe can organize a counter-contest. LOL!
@Respe - Your site rocks!
15 Jon Limjap // Sep 28, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Chino,
I don’t think that’s a fair assessment.
Management is not a matter of nationality nor race — there are a bunch of great managers here, and there are a bunch of companies offering great customer service to their clients as well.
Sweeping generalizations are always risky, my friend.
16 chered // Oct 3, 2008 at 8:45 am
they should work in the issue of some credit cards not able to process in their online transactions..
17 Brian Enriquez // Oct 24, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Cebu Pacific is the worst airline I know. I would rather pay for a much expensive airline than buy their cheap but very bad serviced alternative. 1st and only time I booked here costed me more hassle, frustration and money! Their phone only rings but never answered… Never returns emails. Changes your booking as they please… We missed our flight as they changed booking of 2 passengers who stole our seats right in front of our faces. They paid for the rebooking fee, and as it was our turn asked us to pay for rebooking fee for the next flight? WTF??? Until now my blood still boils of anger! They should quit all those in-flight games and entertainment and just give downright proper service. We take the plane to travel, not to be entertained!!!
18 Marco // Oct 25, 2008 at 6:15 pm
they also had a promo in davao in coordination with Mindanao times newspaper about Writing Good memories onboard Cebu Pacific flight and a prize of free ticket is to be given away. I hope they improve their service!
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