Reaching for the skies again

It’s an honor for us to be meeting an all-female roster in aviation since several studies have shown that less than 10% of pilots around the world are women. What has life been like for our pilots, who have been flying island girls to their destinations all over the world? Three friends from AirAsia, Cebu Pacific Air, and PAL Express for Philippine Airlines take us through their own experiences, and how things have been since the world shut down earlier this year.

Mayra Florencio: Cebu Pacific Air

It’s a lot more about self-discipline than your gender. You really just have to put your heart into it and devote enough time. Studying and learning never stops for pilots, even if you are already flying for the airlines. Technology is also constantly evolving as well as safety and emergency procedures.

To pursue a career in Aviation as a woman, you need to focus on the task at hand, focus on improving and honing your skills. It’s a lot more about self discipline than your gender. Your being female does not have anything to do with that. Being female is never an excuse not to excel in whatever field you choose to be in nor a hindrance to going after your dreams.

Andrea Halaguena: AirAsia

Post-quarantine would be the best time to support small businesses. I would consider traveling locally in the Philippines, where I could go scuba diving or freediving. I would love to visit Dumaguete or Siargao again. Siargao is a place so dear to me. I recall visiting the island back in 2009 and at that time, there were only a few resorts and one bar. Siargao has evolved in so many ways since then but it has never lost its charm.

Patricia Zosa: PAL Express

I’ve re-learned how to live the less hurried life and spend more time with the people and things that matter. I grew up with a practical lifestyle, so I’d like to think this great pause transitioned smoothly on me. It was just another reminder of the ultimate reason why I do what I’ve been doing and who I’m doing it for: family. Unlike many of aviation history’s tragedies, no one saw this pandemic coming. I was on my way home to Cebu from a flight, then the lockdown happened. It was strange timing, really. But I couldn’t be more grateful to be quarantined safely at home.