“CebPac just lost a client,” says an MSO officer.
The Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO), one of the country’s oldest and most respected cultural institutions, has found itself at the center of a viral travel controversy after a senior officer publicly criticized Cebu Pacific over the airline’s handling of musicians carrying violins on board.
In a Facebook post that has since garnered thousands of reactions and shares, MSO Production Manager and former Marketing Director Rona De Leon recounted an incident in which members of the orchestra were allegedly stopped at the boarding gate and instructed to check in their violins instead of bringing them into the cabin.
“Cebu Pacific Air did not allow violins as carry-on and wanted us to check them in, which of course is NON-NEGOTIABLE,” De Leon wrote.
According to her post, the orchestra has traveled extensively on both local and international airlines and has routinely been allowed to bring violins into the aircraft cabin. She described the incident as the first time the group had encountered such a restriction.
“Our orchestra has travelled multiple times via CebPac as well as other local and international airlines, and this has never been an issue,” she said.
The post included photos of musicians gathered at the airport alongside their instrument cases. De Leon said the eventual compromise was for the musicians to check in the hard cases while carrying only the violins and bows into the aircraft.
While the situation was ultimately resolved, De Leon expressed frustration over what she viewed as an unnecessary disruption to the orchestra’s travel plans.
“CebPac just lost a client. The MSO, the country’s oldest orchestra, is not gonna fly CebPac anymore,” she wrote.
The post quickly struck a chord online, with many musicians, travelers, and arts supporters weighing in. Several commenters shared concerns about the risks of checking in delicate and often expensive musical instruments, noting that even minor impacts during baggage handling can cause significant damage.
Others called on airlines to adopt clearer and more consistent policies regarding musical instruments, especially for professional performers who frequently travel for concerts and cultural engagements.
Founded in 1926, the Manila Symphony Orchestra is widely regarded as one of Asia’s oldest orchestras and has played a key role in promoting classical music and music education in the Philippines.
De Leon serves as one of the orchestra’s key administrators, overseeing production and operational logistics that support the ensemble’s performances and touring activities.
As of writing, Cebu Pacific has not publicly responded to the concerns raised in the viral post. The incident has nevertheless sparked broader discussions about airline policies, customer service, and the special handling required for fragile musical instruments.
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