MANILA, Philippines – Cebu Pacific went back to its roots as it unveiled its newest special livery aircraft on Tuesday, November 10, in a festive celebration filled with lively Cebuano music and, of course, lechon. Painted across the plane are a dreamer reaching for a star, a constellation representing Cebu, and a little boy on a bicycle — a nod to the visionary who would one day build an airline and a business empire.

The low-cost carrier showcased its new Airbus A321neo, dubbed the “Dreamer Plane,” with an eye-catching livery designed by Cebu-based artist duo Happy Garaje to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

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The livery, or the aircraft’s exterior paint scheme, on this plane shows the Dreamer Girl stretching toward a star against a sea of blue and yellow. There are references to Cebu’s festivals and culture, including a festival queen, while a constellation of 53 stars represents the island’s 53 cities and municipalities. 

The tiny cyclist honors John Gokongwei Jr., who sold goods around Cebu on his bicycle as a boy before building one of the Philippines’ biggest business empires, spanning aviation, food manufacturing, real estate, and retail. Cebu Pacific is among the companies he founded. He would have turned 100 this year.

For Happy Garaje’s Johanna Deutsch and Mark Joseph Deutsch, an airplane was an unfamiliar canvas. The duo had to learn which parts could be painted and which had to remain untouched for technical and safety reasons. They only recently saw their designs brought to life on an actual jet.

It’s been a long time since Cebu Pacific has dressed up its planes in a special livery. In the early 2000s, the low-cost carrier had some destination-themed aircraft featuring Manila, Cebu, and Davao. 

But the Dreamer Girl may not be the last. Another special livery is coming, chief marketing and customer experience officer Candice Iyog teased, although its design remains a secret for now.

“Will there be more? There is one more, but we won’t say it,” Iyog said. “We have to give the Dreamer its time in the spotlight.”

And it’s certainly had its share of the spotlight. Iyog said the Dreamer Plane was the most tracked flight in the world when it arrived in the Philippines from Airbus’ Hamburg facility in Germany on Sunday, November 8. The aircraft has drawn crowds of aviation enthusiasts and planespotters in both Hamburg and Manila, with even Airbus personnel admiring its design. 

The Dreamer Plane is beginning domestic flights on Wednesday, November 11, with General Santos and Cebu among its first destinations. Cebu Pacific also expects another widebody aircraft around December or January and seven narrowbody deliveries in 2027.

Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific president Xander Lao said demand for travel remains resilient despite inflation and higher airfares. The airline expects to surpass the 26.9 million passengers it flew in 2025, with strong bookings during the Undas break and throughout the holiday season. – Rappler.com

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