WASHINGTON, D.C. (The Adobo Chronicles) –  Just last month, the State Department warned U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to the Philippines, in particular to the Sulu Archipelago, certain regions and cities of the island of Mindanao, and the southern Sulu Sea area.

U.S. citizens should continue to defer non-essential travel due to the high threat of kidnapping of international travelers and violence linked to insurgency and terrorism there, according to the consular advisory.

Today, the State Department issued a second advisory asking U.S. citizens flying into or out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to bring raincoats or umbrellas. This, after the ceiling of NAIA’s Terminal 1 building leaked during a rainstorm in Metro Manila. Passengers and crew had to open their umbrellas and wear plastic bags over their shoes to avoid getting soaked by rainwater inside the terminal.

Apparently, the P1.3-billion rehabilitation project at the terminal may have produced a more earthquake-resilient, and aesthetically pleasant, airport but the contractor, DM Consunji Inc. (DMCI), apparently overlooked one thing—waterproofing.

Many travelers wondered if what they experienced at the airport was what was meant by the Philippine Department of Tourism’s meme, “It’s More Fun In The Philippines!”