Vanjo Merano of Panlasang Pinoy, a US-based content developer, and his family lost their belongings while travelling to the Philippines for a holiday.
Vanjo stated in a vlog posted on January 22 that among the items they lost were branded bags, eyeglasses, perfumes, and chocolates that were meant to be gifts for their family members.
He said that because they were aware of cases involving stolen bags at airports, they secured their important belongings in their hand-carry luggage.
Vanjo and his family said that despite their efforts, they were disappointed by the loss of their personal belongings.
“[M]ahalaga rin naman kasi yung nandoon sa check-in [luggage] yung mga pang-regalo. Gusto lang namin magpasaya sa Pasko kaya ganoon talagang nag-effort kami [at] nag-ipon para makabili ng mga pang-regalo tapos ‘yun nawala,” he said.
Since they stopped at three airports on their trip to the Philippines, the food vlogger said they couldn’t point the finger at anyone.
“Kasi hindi kami pwedeng bumintang basta-basta dahil tatlong lugar yung pinuntahan namin—tatlong airport. Galing kami sa Chicago so andyan yung O’Hare [International Airport], nag-land kami sa San Francisco [International Airport] pagkatapos noon nagpunta kami ng terminal one ng Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) so tatlo,” he narrated.
“Hindi ko alam kung saan nawala ‘yun ano [items]. Pati kasi chocolate nawala, hindi ko alam paano natin babasahin yung scenario na yun,” he added.
Vanjo revealed that he and his family had to wait for their bags to come out of the conveyor system at the NAIA for around an hour and a half.
The food YouTuber said he is excited to spend Christmas in the Philippines as it has been more than a decade since he visited the nation for the holidays.
Vanjo claimed that as a result of the occurrence, they purchased presents for their loved ones in exchange for stolen goods.
“Ako pala yung hindi sumaya kasi binilan namin ng regalo ulit ‘yung mga nawalan kaya hindi ako sumaya kasi gumastos ulit kami ng panibago,” the content creator said in jest.
“Despite all of that na nangyari sa aming hindi maganda, pagdating naman sa Pilipinas ang saya naman namin kumbaga mas mataas yung level nung magandang nangyari kumpara doon sa hindi,” Vanjo said.
The Youtuber also urged people to exercise caution when travelling internationally.
Another content producer, Ady Cotoco, lost things valued at P200,000 last September when he arrived in Manila.
