Cebu Pacific Kicks off 30th Anniversary with 90s-Themed Celebration

Cebu Pacific marked the start of its 30th anniversary celebrations with a 90s-themed kick-off gathering. The event was held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City, on January 23, 2026.

30 Years with Cebu Pacific

The milestone celebration was led by Cebu Pacific President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao and Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer Candice Iyog. It highlighted three decades of growth for the country’s leading low-cost airline. The event also paid tribute to the airline’s roots, having begun operations on March 8, 1996, a period fondly remembered as the golden era of 90s pop culture.

Founded in March 1996, Cebu Pacific has since flown over 250 million passengers. Additionally, it now serves 37 domestic and 26 international destinations across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. The airline has played a key role in making air travel more accessible to Filipinos through its low-cost model and expanding route network.

Anniversary Kick-Off

Spearheaded by Cebu Pacific’s Corporate Communications team, the anniversary kick-off gathered members of the media, key opinion leaders, aviation enthusiasts, and plane spotters from across the Philippines. Guests from different regions were flown in to Manila for the celebration. This underscores the airline’s nationwide reach and strong community ties built over the past three decades.

Staying true to the theme, the ballroom became a nostalgic 90s-inspired venue. It was reminiscent of colorful and lively television dance shows from the era. Guests arrived in their best 90s-inspired outfits. They were also treated to classic snacks from sister company Universal Robina Corporation, many of which remain popular today.

90’s Themed Celebration

Setting the tone for the evening, iconic 90s dance group Manoeuvres energized the crowd with performances. They danced to well-loved dance hits from the decade. Singer and actress Jolina Magdangal, one of the most recognizable pop culture figures of the 1990s, hosted the event. Co-hosting the event was Cebu Pacific Cabin Crew Manager Zia Marquez.

In his opening remarks, Lao thanked Cebu Pacific’s partners, employees, and customers for their continued support. He noted how the airline’s mission to make air travel accessible to more Filipinos has helped shape their journey. Iyog followed with a toast, reflecting on the airline’s past 30 years while looking ahead to the next chapter of growth and innovation.

Pop Icons of the 90’s

The program kept guests engaged with a 90s-themed quiz bee and a lively dance showdown featuring teams representing different Cebu Pacific hubs and locations nationwide. Team Cebu, known as Sugbu Tito Trio, made up of Dr. Xavier Solis of The Dentist in Out, Carlo Olano of Kalami Cebu, and Leylan Romarate of TheCebuano.com were named the champions. Magdangal later delighted the audience by performing some of her signature 90s hits, drawing enthusiastic reactions from the crowd.

Adding humor to the evening, stand-up comedians Israel Buenaobra and Alex Calleja of Comedy Crew were also in attendance. They delivered comedic sets that kept the energy high. The Manoeuvres later returned to the stage to lead the crowd in a mass dance to the 90s anthem “Macarena.”

Guests enjoyed a plated course dinner, rounding out the formal program before the celebration transitioned into an after-party. Executives, employees, and guests alike filled the dance floor. They danced the night away to more 90s hits and closed the kick-off on a high note.

The event officially marked the beginning of Cebu Pacific’s year-long 30th anniversary celebrations. Filipinos can expect more as the airline commemorates three decades of connecting Filipinos to destinations across the Philippines and beyond.