Briton who called NAIA1 'home' for past month finally going home
By: Eric B. Apolonio, InterAksyon.com
January 11, 2013 1:28 PM
MANILA, Philippines -- Gary Peter Austin, the British national who has been living at the departure lounge of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 for the last 25 days because he ran out of money, is finally going home.
Austin, a former jockey, will be taking Emirates flight EK333 out of Manila at 5:53 p.m. Friday for Dubai, from where he will transit to London, courtesy of an expatriate who bought him his ticket.
Jeroen Van Straten, CEO of AON Air and Odor Management (Philippines), learned of Austin’s plight from television news and showed up at NAIA1 early Friday morning to hand the Briton his ticket.
The two had never met before.
“I thank Jeroen for his generosity and kind-hardheartedness that even on this hard times people of his breed come forward to help people in need like me,” said Austin, who was left teary-eyed by the kindness.
He also thanked Dante Basanta, NAIA1 general manager, and terminal staff who chipped in to support what Austin dubbed his “accommodation” and gave him a “wonderful time” during his enforced stay.
Austin made special mention of Maria Hannah Bulabon, the NAIA1 worker who informed media of his predicament, and security guard Mary Ann Montilla, who took him to her Cavite home on Christmas Eve.
He said he planned to racehorses again to earn money when he reached home and promised to send some financial assistance to the people who showed him such kindness and hospitality.
And he also dropped a hint that he had found more than generosity and kindness during the crisis.
The bachelor Austin admitted finding Bulabon, a single mother, “attractive,” adding that her smile had helped lessen his grief at being stranded in an airport terminal so far away from home.
By: Eric B. Apolonio, InterAksyon.com
January 11, 2013 1:28 PM
MANILA, Philippines -- Gary Peter Austin, the British national who has been living at the departure lounge of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 for the last 25 days because he ran out of money, is finally going home.
Austin, a former jockey, will be taking Emirates flight EK333 out of Manila at 5:53 p.m. Friday for Dubai, from where he will transit to London, courtesy of an expatriate who bought him his ticket.
Jeroen Van Straten, CEO of AON Air and Odor Management (Philippines), learned of Austin’s plight from television news and showed up at NAIA1 early Friday morning to hand the Briton his ticket.
The two had never met before.
“I thank Jeroen for his generosity and kind-hardheartedness that even on this hard times people of his breed come forward to help people in need like me,” said Austin, who was left teary-eyed by the kindness.
He also thanked Dante Basanta, NAIA1 general manager, and terminal staff who chipped in to support what Austin dubbed his “accommodation” and gave him a “wonderful time” during his enforced stay.
Austin made special mention of Maria Hannah Bulabon, the NAIA1 worker who informed media of his predicament, and security guard Mary Ann Montilla, who took him to her Cavite home on Christmas Eve.
He said he planned to racehorses again to earn money when he reached home and promised to send some financial assistance to the people who showed him such kindness and hospitality.
And he also dropped a hint that he had found more than generosity and kindness during the crisis.
The bachelor Austin admitted finding Bulabon, a single mother, “attractive,” adding that her smile had helped lessen his grief at being stranded in an airport terminal so far away from home.