“We were protecting our livelihood.”
This was the comment of the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) after some of its musicians encountered issues checking in their violins and violas as hand-carry items on a budget airline.
The institution released its side of the story on Sunday, June 21, after one of its production managers, Rona De Leon, shared that Cebu Pacific Air did not allow its violinists to bring their violin cases as hand-carry items on a June 17 flight,
De Leon said it was the first time they had encountered such an issue, adding that they had never experienced it on their previous flights with other airlines, including Cebu Pacific itself.
She added that while the violin cases were checked in, the musicians were allowed to carry the instruments themselves inside the aircraft as a “solution.”
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The MSO said that while the instruments themselves “are within the specified dimensions for hand-carried items, their protective hard cases are not.”
It added that the violinists were initially not allowed to bring the instruments as hand-carry items for stowage in the aircraft’s overhead luggage compartments.
“Our musicians were initially required to check in the hard cases of their violins and violas with an additional cost of P2,500 each,” the MSO said in a statement.
“After much negotiation, our musicians were allowed to handcarry their instruments, cradling them as they sat in their seats, while the P2,500 fee for checking in each of their hard cases was waived after it was suggested by our production manager that we had remaining baggage allowance which could be applied in lieu of additional check in fees,” it added.
MSO admitted that it was “not a comfortable flight” for its musicians, saying they were forced to cradle their instruments on their laps throughout the flight.
“Throughout the flight, our musicians held their instruments upright on their laps, minimizing movement as much as possible, without respite for food or refreshment,” it added.
“These fine-tuned instruments are delicately crafted and a single jolt can disrupt the delicate balance of violins and violas. We were not being difficult in refusing to check them in. We were protecting our instruments from being jolted and tussled,” the institution said.
“We were protecting our livelihood. Beyond livelihood, these instruments are an expression of our creative spirit, our cultural contributions to society. We were protecting our capability to produce beautiful music for the Filipino and international audiences whom we have had the honor to serenade for 100 years,” it added.
The MSO said its violinists were expressing their passion for the arts and culture on that June 17 flight, adding that their instruments “epitomize the passion and grit” of the musicians and the institution itself over the past century.
“On its 100th year, the MSO is the longest-standing orchestra in South East Asia. It is our greatest honor to bring the artistry of the Filipino musician and the transcendent soul of Filipino music to the Filipino and world stages,” it stated.
“Our mission is to play beautiful music and to teach beautiful music to the students in our MSO Academy. Through our music, we hope to inspire appreciation for our culture, our artistry and evoke the positive feelings of hope, well-being, joy that music can bring into our lives,” the MSO added.
“It is our hope and prayer to be able to play for you, and through our music, bring a greater appreciation for our culture and recognition of the incredible talent and spirit of the Filipino artist. Each time we play our violins and violas and any of our instruments… we play for you!” it said.
In the comments section, the group was asked how had dealt with similar incidents during its previous travels.
“Other airlines allow violins and violas to be hand-carried. And Cebu Pacific, in many of our past trips with them, allowed it. Only last June 17, they did not allow,” the MSO responded.
Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific suggested that musicians avail themselves of the Musical Instrument allowance under the CEB Special Baggage.
“If you’re checking in musical instruments through CEB Special Baggage, please ensure they are placed in hardshell cases to prevent damage. Instruments placed in soft cases or gig bags will not be accepted for check-in,” the carrier was quoted as saying in a report.
“We understand that musical instruments are often valuable and [are] deeply personal belongings. We encourage passengers to review baggage size requirements before traveling so we can help ensure a smooth and comfortable journey for both them and their instruments,” the airline added.
MSO executive director Jeffrey Solares acknowledged the airline’s policies but stressed the fragile nature of musical instruments such as violins and violas.
“The risk of checking a violin in is great, with all the stories of baggages getting lost or damaged, every violinist is wary that their precious instrument will be at a great risk of damage or loss,” he said in a report. Solares added that a violin can cost anywhere from P400,000 to P800,000.
