'Panlasang Pinoy' vlogger recounts harrowing Philippine flight as family loses personal belongings in luggage
Popular food content creator Vanjo Merano, more popularly known as "Panlasang Pinoy," recounted his family's harrowing experience during their flight to the Philippines, including losing personal belongings in their luggage.
In a vlog titled "Huwag Sana Itong Mangyari sa Inyo! Pinatawad Na Namin Kung Sino Man Sila" posted Jan. 24, the Chicago-based Merano detailed how his family spent the holidays here for the first time in decades.
He said last December, they rode a plane to San Francisco, then took a connecting business class flight to the Philippines via Philippine Airlines (PAL).
With over 10 hours of waiting time, Merano said his family just spent the time in the airport, documenting the experience.
When an airport staff finally called the PAL passengers, Merano said he was informed of several problems during the 15-hour business class flight: broken remote control for the television, unpluggable headphones, and the eating tray of his kid's chair being broken.
Though PAL was able to offer certain solutions, little did Merano know that there are more problems ahead.
He said the "pasalubong" items he bought from Duty Free that were supposed to be in their hand luggage got lost. He said airport staff promised to reimburse expenses for the lost items.
In any case, Merano documented his immense experience during the 15-hour flight, including the many services they got and the different food that was served to them.
But the worst had yet to come. When Merano came back home, he said the luggage of his son's girlfriend was unzipped and the personal belongings inside were allegedly taken. Items included reading glasses, perfume, and chocolates meant for their relatives.
Aside from his son's girlfriend, Merano said his family members lost more items in their luggage, particularly branded ones like bags and shoes.
Some of the items from one luggage were also transferred to another one, Merano noted.
"Pero don't get us wrong guys," Merano said. "Wala kami pinagbibintangang sinuman o saanman dahil wala kaming ebidensiya."
"Kinuwento ko lang ang nangyari sa amin," he added. "Iyong experience sa PAL, wala iyon, nagawan naman ng solusyon, eh."
"Ang 'di lang namin matanggap, iyong mga nagnanakaw... for sure, 'di lang sa amin iyan nangyayari."
Still, Merano expressed optimism that things will get better in the future.
Josen Perez de Tagle, PAL Vice President for Corporate Communications, told PhilSTAR L!fe they've reached out to Merano after his vlog got published.
"We are investigating this right now," de Tagle said. "We will do what we can to help."
