SPOTs by Marvin

14/06/2026

53 YEARS LATER, THE KNICKS ARE NBA CHAMPIONS. 🏀🏆

As New York celebrated the end of a 53-year title drought, a piece of the Big Apple arrived in Manila in the form of Philippine Airlines’ first Airbus A350-1000 from JFK.

I haven’t followed the NBA closely in a long time, but moments like this transcend sports. Generations of fans waited for this day, and their patience finally paid off.

And as someone who is definitely not a morning person, waking up at 4:30 AM to catch this arrival felt like a championship effort of its own. 😅

Congratulations, New York. The wait is finally over. 🗽✈️✨

Airline and IATA/ICAO Code: Philippine Airlines (PR/PAL)
Flight No.: PR 127
Route: New York-John F. Kennedy (JFK/KJFK) - Manila (MNL/RPLL)
Aircraft: Airbus A350-1041 XWB
Registration: RP-C3510
Engines: 2x Rolls Royce RR Trent XWB-97
Aircraft Age (as of current posting): 0.5 YRS
Date (Photo taken): 23 MAR 2026
Equipment: Canon EOS R5 Mark II + Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Philippine Airlines NAIA Manila International Airport Authority Airbus Rolls-Royce Plc Canon Philippines

12/06/2026

COOL RED 522 FROM DAVAO ✈️❤️🔥

“Cool Red” on approach.

With Philippines AirAsia opening its Cebu hub late last year, the airline’s presence in Cebu has steadily grown, with new domestic and Southeast Asian routes added over the past few months.

Seen here is RP-C8940 arriving from Davao, another example of how Cebu continues to strengthen its role as a major aviation gateway in the region.

More routes, more aircraft, and more red tails in Cebu’s skies. ✈️

Airline and IATA/ICAO Code: Philippines AirAsia (Z2/APG)
Flight No.: Z2 522
Route: Davao (DVO/RPMD) - Cebu (CEB/RPVM)
Aircraft: Airbus A320-214
Registration: RP-C8940
Engines: 2x CFM International CFM56-5B4/3
Aircraft Age (as of current posting): 19.0 YRS
Date (Photo taken): 09 MAY 2026
Equipment: Canon EOS R5 Mark II + Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Fly AirAsia AirAsia Mactan-Cebu International Airport CFM International Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority Airbus Canon Philippines Coffee Spot - Kagudoy LLC

12/06/2026

Happy 128th Independence Day!

Thank you, Aviation Updates Philippines ✈️

Happy 128th Independence Day! 🇵🇭 🇵🇭 🇵🇭

📸: Marvin Ford/AUP

12/06/2026

MALIGAYANG ARAW NG KALAYAAN, PILIPINAS! 🇵🇭✈️

Celebrating our 128th Independence Day with a special collaborative pixel stretch by Ray✈️ , whose amazing edit of PAL’s iconic Sunriser tail beautifully emphasizes our nation’s colors.

As we celebrate our freedom, may we remember the sacrifices that secured it and continue to uphold the values of unity, integrity, resilience, and love for country. In today’s increasingly divided and uncertain times, may this occasion keep us grounded in what truly matters: choosing the common good, denouncing corruption, treating one another with dignity, and building a nation worthy of the generations who fought for our independence.

Showcasing our nation’s colors and proudly flying our flag is this Philippine Airlines Airbus A321neo operating as PR 526 from Kuala Lumpur to Manila, captured in perfect midsummer afternoon light. Onboard are countless OFWs eager to return home, each carrying their own hopes, sacrifices, and dreams for the families they love.

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! 🇵🇭❤️💙💛

Thank you for the wonderful edit, Aeroshots Ray!

Airline and IATA/ICAO Code: Philippines Airlines (PR/PAL)
Flight No.: PR 526
Route: Kuala Lumpur (KUL/WMKK) - Manila (MNL/RPLL)
Aircraft: Airbus A321-271N
Registration: RP-C9934
Engines: 2x Pratt & Whitney PW1133G-JM
Aircraft Age (as of current posting): 7.7 YRS
Date (Photo taken): 232 MAY 2026
Equipment: Canon EOS R5 Mark II + Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Philippine Airlines NAIA Manila International Airport Authority Airbus Canon Philippines Canon Asia Canon USA Canon Taiwan Tourism Philippines Philippine Tourism Promotions Board

11/06/2026

CATCHING A FIREFLY ✈️🔥

Here is Firefly’s Boeing 737-800 operating as FY 3692 from Kuala Lumpur.

Firefly is a relatively new face in Cebu’s skies, making each sighting a welcome catch for local spotters. The airline is a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, which adds a bit of nostalgia to the moment.

Many years ago, Malaysia Airlines itself served Cebu. Today, Firefly continues that Malaysia-Cebu connection in its own way. ✈️🇲🇾🇵🇭

Airline and IATA/ICAO Code: Firefly (FY/FFM)
Flight No.: FY 3692
Route: Kuala Lumpur (KUL/WMKK) - Cebu (CEB/RPVM)
Aircraft: Boeing 737-8FZ(WL)
Registration: 9M-MLJ
Engines: 2x CFM International CFM56-7B26
Aircraft Age (as of current posting): 15.3 YRS
Date (Photo taken): 08 MAY 2026
Equipment: Canon EOS R5 Mark II + Canon EF 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM

Mactan-Cebu International Airport Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority Firefly Airlines The Boeing Company Canon Philippines Canon Asia Canon USA Canon Taiwan CFM International

10/06/2026

A PRACTICE SHOT THAT ACTUALLY WORKED ✈️🌙

Now this one was a challenge.

Here is RP-C5912 operating as PR 2285 from Bacolod, arriving in Cebu well after sundown.

I originally took this while waiting for the ASEAN Summit departures and considered it nothing more than a practice shot for my night photography and panning experiments. 📸🌙

To my surprise, it turned out much better than I expected.

Sometimes the shots you don’t plan for end up being the ones you like the most. ✈️✨

Airline and IATA/ICAO Code: Philippine Airlines operated by PAL Express (2P/GAP)
Flight No.: PR 2258
Route: Bacolod (BCD/RPVB) - Cebu (CEB/RPVM)
Aircraft: De Havilland Canada DHC-8-402 Dash 8 Q400
Registration: RP-C5912
Engines: 2x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150A
Aircraft Age (as of current posting): 7.6 YRS
Date (Photo taken): 08 MAY 2026
Equipment: Canon EOS R5 Mark II + Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

.gov.ph

09/06/2026

RACING THE RAIN TO NEW YORK ✈️🌧️🔥

RP-C3510 departing as PR 126 for her nearly 16-hour journey to New York.

Between the darkness, tricky lighting, and approaching weather, this was one of my tougher shots. As someone still new to night photography, every session is a learning experience. 📸🌙

My friend and I felt the wind shift and the temperature drop. We knew our spotting window was closing fast and were just waiting for Air Traffic Control to clear PR 126 for departure.

Thankfully, 3510 lifted off moments before the skies opened up. You can even see the beautiful engine condensation effects as she powers into the night.

A dramatic departure, a close call with the weather, and my first time spotting PR 126. Definitely one to remember. ✈️✨

Airline and IATA/ICAO Code: Philippine Airlines (PR/PAL)
Flight No.: PR 126
Route: Manila (MNL/RPLL) - New York-John F. Kennedy (JFK/KJFK)
Aircraft: Airbus A350-1041 XWB
Registration: RP-C3510
Engines: 2x Rolls Royce RR Trent XWB-97
Aircraft Age (as of current posting): 0.5 YRS
Date (Photo taken): 23 MAR 2026
Equipment: Canon EOS R5 Mark II + Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

08/06/2026

THE CLASSIC TRIPLE SEVEN RETURNS ✈️🔥

Cathay Pacific sent some of their classic Boeing 777s to Cebu during the peak summer travel season in April 2026, and it was a treat to see these veterans back in action.

These aircraft are becoming increasingly rare, with Cathay Pacific remaining one of the few airlines still operating the original Boeing 777 on scheduled passenger services.

What makes this particular aircraft interesting is that it still carries the airline’s original-sized titles. Some of Cathay’s classic 777s have already received the revised livery with much larger “Cathay Pacific” titles, but this one remains in the more familiar scheme many of us grew up seeing.

Old-school Triple Seven charm never gets old. ✈️✨

Did you catch the strobes on the second pic? 👀

Airline and IATA/ICAO Code: Cathay Pacific (CX/CPA)
Flight No.: CX 921, CX 948
Route: Hong Kong (HKG/VHHH) - Cebu (CEB/RPVM) vv.
Aircraft: Boeing 777-367
Registration: B-HNN
Engines: 2x Rolls-Royce RR Trent 884B-17
Aircraft Age (as of current posting): 22.5 YRS
Date (Photo taken): 22 APR 2026
Equipment: Canon EOS R5 Mark II + Canon EF 28-300mm F/3.5-5.6L IS USM

.gov.ph

07/06/2026

PAL JOINS ONEWORLD! 🇵🇭✈️🌎

Woke up this morning to great news!

In its 85th year, Philippine Airlines has officially received an invitation to join the oneworld Alliance as its 16th member airline, with the announcement made at the 2026 IATA Annual General Meeting in Brazil.

This is a huge milestone for PAL and great news for travelers. Once onboard, Mabuhay Miles members will enjoy reciprocal earning and redemption across oneworld airlines, plus access to alliance-wide benefits for eligible members.

A more connected world, smoother journeys, and stronger global reach for the Philippines. 🌎✈️

Congratulations, Philippine Airlines! 🇵🇭

Now who’s excited to see a PAL aircraft in the iconic oneworld livery? 👀✈️

I can’t wait to hear this on their landing PA, “Thank you for flying Philippine Airlines, a proud member of the oneworld Alliance!” 😍

And on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, what wonderful news to celebrate. Praise God! 🙏✨

Airline and IATA/ICAO Code: Philippines Airlines (PR/PAL)
Flight No.: PR 2958
Route: Cotabato (CBO/RPMC) - Manila (MNL/RPLL)
Aircraft: Airbus A320-214
Registration: RP-C8606
Engines: 2x CFM International CFM56-5B4/3
Aircraft Age (as of current posting): 21.2 YRS
Date (Photo taken): 25 MAY 2026
Equipment: Canon EOS R5 Mark II + Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/06/2026

ALING PURING IS HERE! 🛒✈️

One of the most recognizable special liveries in Philippine aviation has arrived.

Affectionately nicknamed “Aling Puring” by Filipino spotters, this Philippines AirAsia A320 wears the colors of Puregold as part of the airline’s partnership with the supermarket chain.

Seen here is RP-C8940 arriving from Manila as Z2 777.

You don’t even need to read the registration to know who’s arriving. 😄

Airline and IATA/ICAO Code: Philippines AirAsia (Z2/APG)
Flight No.: Z2 777
Route: Davao (DVO/RPMD) - Cebu (CEB/RPVM)
Aircraft: Airbus A320-214
Registration: RP-C8975
Engines: 2x CFM International CFM56-5B4/3
Aircraft Age (as of current posting): 21.2 YRS
Date (Photo taken): 09 MAY 2026
Equipment: Canon EOS R5 Mark II + Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

.gov.ph