SINGAPORE—While shopping at Isetan, I got a call from my nun friend from Lipa, Sor Maria. She was being confined at Medical City and asked if two nuns could sleep over at our house for the duration of her stay.
Yes of course, I said, and promised to visit her when I arrived.
Sor Maria said she would pray for my trip. That was such a comfort because y'all know how much I fear flying.
![IMG_1784]()
Our flight was at 5 PM. We called for a Maxi Cab at 2:30 PM because we had tons of GST refunds to claim.
We were really unfortunate because for the first time we were kind of harassed by the GST inspectors.
First they wanted to see my mom's two bags but my mom was sitting on a bench, far, far away (she was tired).
Then they wanted to see my Muji blankets. Then they wanted to see my headphones. Then they wanted to see my sister-in-law's Longchamp bag. Never mind that my sister-in-law only had three receipts—what a hassle.
Take note that they always pick the items that are packed in the bottomest luggage under piles of luggage.
The whole process took at least half an hour.
Checking in the bags took another half hour because we had tons and were kind of overweight.
After so much bargaining, we had to pay for only 15 kilos.
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Immigration was a breeze but the GST refund counters had lines. This process took another half an hour.
By the time we were done it was already 4 PM. My sister-in-law Frannie and I decided to just go straight to the gate because boarding was at 4:35 PM.
I checked my boarding pass and read Gate F42. Got there at 4:15, a bit early and I was starving. I asked Frannie if it was OK for me to grab a quick bite. So we did.
After a very quick meal it was already 4:40 so we went straight to Gate F42.
When we got there it was freaking dark and closed!! WTF!!!
Frannie checked the boarding pass again—it said F52. WTF!!
We ran, ran, ran for our lives, huffing and puffing.
When we got to Gate 52—which was on another wing—only the ground crew was there.
Frannie and I were the last two passengers. Our bags went through X-ray quickly and I heard the ground stewardess say on her walkie-talkie "cancel." Like what??*
She told us to run to the plane. As soon as I got my feet safely inside the aircraft, a friendly gay flight attendant welcomed me.
The door closed behind us. I found my seat, then headed to the lavatory. I washed my faced, wiped my back and wished for a change of T-shirt, but I had none.
I started praying and thinking about what happened. It was a very close call and I remembered that Sor Maria said she would pray for me.
I settled into my seat, began a migraine and asked for an ice pack.
(Oh, I'm no longer a fan of GST refunds.)
![Singapore skies]()
*I found out later they were about to offload our luggage. Good thing my sister was already on board and kept telling them we are coming and do not offload the luggage.
Have you ever missed a flight or almost?
Yes of course, I said, and promised to visit her when I arrived.
Sor Maria said she would pray for my trip. That was such a comfort because y'all know how much I fear flying.
Our flight was at 5 PM. We called for a Maxi Cab at 2:30 PM because we had tons of GST refunds to claim.
We were really unfortunate because for the first time we were kind of harassed by the GST inspectors.
First they wanted to see my mom's two bags but my mom was sitting on a bench, far, far away (she was tired).
Then they wanted to see my Muji blankets. Then they wanted to see my headphones. Then they wanted to see my sister-in-law's Longchamp bag. Never mind that my sister-in-law only had three receipts—what a hassle.
Take note that they always pick the items that are packed in the bottomest luggage under piles of luggage.
The whole process took at least half an hour.
Checking in the bags took another half hour because we had tons and were kind of overweight.
After so much bargaining, we had to pay for only 15 kilos.
Immigration was a breeze but the GST refund counters had lines. This process took another half an hour.
By the time we were done it was already 4 PM. My sister-in-law Frannie and I decided to just go straight to the gate because boarding was at 4:35 PM.
I checked my boarding pass and read Gate F42. Got there at 4:15, a bit early and I was starving. I asked Frannie if it was OK for me to grab a quick bite. So we did.
After a very quick meal it was already 4:40 so we went straight to Gate F42.
When we got there it was freaking dark and closed!! WTF!!!
Frannie checked the boarding pass again—it said F52. WTF!!
We ran, ran, ran for our lives, huffing and puffing.
When we got to Gate 52—which was on another wing—only the ground crew was there.
Frannie and I were the last two passengers. Our bags went through X-ray quickly and I heard the ground stewardess say on her walkie-talkie "cancel." Like what??*
She told us to run to the plane. As soon as I got my feet safely inside the aircraft, a friendly gay flight attendant welcomed me.
The door closed behind us. I found my seat, then headed to the lavatory. I washed my faced, wiped my back and wished for a change of T-shirt, but I had none.
I started praying and thinking about what happened. It was a very close call and I remembered that Sor Maria said she would pray for me.
I settled into my seat, began a migraine and asked for an ice pack.
(Oh, I'm no longer a fan of GST refunds.)
*I found out later they were about to offload our luggage. Good thing my sister was already on board and kept telling them we are coming and do not offload the luggage.
Have you ever missed a flight or almost?