My flight out of the facist republic of Davao (no smoking/vaping area anywhere on airport property!) left 20 minutes late which was worrisome because I only had a one hour layover in Manila.  We arrived 45 minutes before my connection was scheduled to depart. Then waited 10 minutes for the jet occupying our gate to get the hell out of our way.

It seemed to take forever to deplane, but once in the terminal I hightailed it to the transfer desk.  They said I could still make my flight, just exit the terminal, turn right, take the elevator to the 3rd floor, go through security and immigration, then on to my gate.  Alright then.

Well, they had one guy doing immigration and several people ahead of me in line.  Once that was done I was dismayed to discover that gate 11 was at the opposite side of the terminal.  I hoofed it over to the gate as fast as my screaming heel would allow and was relieved to see a line of passengers still boarding.  Until I saw it was a flight for Busan.  WTF?

I asked the gate agent where the Seoul flight was and she said it had already closed.  Apparently I missed last call by one frickin’ minute.  She said don’t worry, we’ll re-book you on another flight.  I asked what about my luggage?  She told me it hadn’t made the flight either.

So, a helpful agent walked me back to where I had started and a couple of other Philippine Air folks went to work on getting me rebooked.  I declined a flight out at 0100 on Sunday morning, so it will be a Sunday afternoon departure for me.  To their credit, Philippine Air is paying for my hotel and meals during this extended layover.

Now, what to do with my weekend in Manila?  I have an empty wallet and a suitcase full of dirty clothes.  There is a mall behind the hotel though so I reckon I’ll wander over and find an ATM and a couple of shirts.  Maybe a bar as well.

I’m a little concerned because immigration stamped me out of the country and no one has stamped me back in.  I’ll guess I’ll worry about those ramifications on Sunday…