OFW brothers’ noche buena surprise soured by flight cancellations

Romeo and Rodel Aguado, who both work in Saudi Arabia, waited an entire year for a grand noche buena surprise they had planned for their family in Tacloban City.

Upon their arrival to Manila, however, their plans were soured when their flight to Leyte was canceled due to the inclement weather brought by Typhoon Ursula.

“Sorpresa sa pamilya, [pero] ako naman nasorpresa,” Rodel said in Cedric Castillo’s Tuesday report for 24 Oras.

“Alam na nila. Sabi, ‘Mas maganda na 'yang safe kayo.’”

Their flight was rebooked for Wednesday, Christmas Day.

What was supposed to be a grand Christmas celebration with their loved ones has now become a quiet noche buena between the two brothers.

"Oo, totoo 'yan, isang taon [nag-antay]. Ano ba naman 'yung isang araw na lang. Gano’n talaga, Merry Christmas na lang,” Romeo said.

Various airlines have canceled flights due to the typhoon.

Some airlines told GMA News that at least 10 passengers still went to the airport despite their early announcement of the flight cancellation.

Among the passengers was Alexander Batistis, a machine operator in Saudi Arabia.

Just like the Aguado brothers, Batistis and his wife Rafaela will be spending Christmas eve at the airport due to flight cancellation.  —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News