Silay City’s Barangay E. Lopez just had the crazies wake-up call ever! Imagine strolling to your local soccer field, and BAM, there’s an old Fokker plane chilling there like it’s no big deal.
But this isn’t a usual sightseeing. Passersby and anyone who caught wind of the Fokker 27 Friendship situation couldn’t resist whipping out their phones for some epic selfies with the unexpected visitor. Anyway, it’s not every day they spot a plane where soccer balls should be.
But here’s the scoop: Turns out, this “retired” Philippine Air Force plane got a new lease on life as a generous gift to the local government.
But flashback to November 2022, when one of the plane’s wings went rogue and started puffing smoke at Bacolod-Silay airport. That was the last time it spread its wings.
Then on Sept. 20, Mayor Joedith Gallego had it hauled over by a towing car and dropped it off right on the barangay’s soccer turf.
“Passerbys and residents here were truly surprised to see the aircraft and started taking pictures,” Barangay Chair Nemia Gallego told Digicast Negros. “It’s an instant tourist attraction,” she said with excitement.
This F27 one ruled the Philippine skies, originally serving with Philippine Airlines (PAL) before joining the Philippine Air Force crew in 1971, pre-martial law. Yep, even the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. hitched a ride on this winged wonder.
If ever you find yourself in Silay City, don’t forget to snag a selfie with the soccer field’s quirkiest MVP!
