Cebu Pacific makes history as the very first airline in the Philippines to employ two transwomen as flight attendants.
Jess Labares and Mikee Vitug recounts on their personal Facebook pages how thankful they are to the airline for accepting them and for being a multicultural and diverse company.
Both Jess and Mikee belong to batch 11 of CebGo, Cebu Pacific's interisland subsidiary which operates turboprop aircraft.
Both Jess and Mikee also shared their training experience, saying that it was never an easy one. They attributed their success to sheer hardwork, determination, and persevearance.
Jess is also a title holder at the Miss Queen Philippines 2019 beauty pagaent where she was crowned as Miss Queen Universe. Mikee on the other hand is a licensed pharmacist who worked for a popular drugstore chain in the Philippines.
Their stories are going viral as of this moment as Cebu Pacific now wins the hearts of many particularly the LGBTQ community for opening their doors to transwomen and transmen. The airline has always been known as a multicultural and equal opportunity employer.
Cebu Pacific Employs The Philippines's Very First Transwoman Flight Attendant
Jess Labares
Another first in the history of Philippine commercial aviation as the very first transgender/transwoman flight attendant takes her wings and flies for Cebu Pacific!
Photo source via Facebook / Jess Labares
Just recently, Jess Labares finally received her wings as a full-fledge CebGo flight attendant just last week, belonging to the airlines's 11th batch of flight attendants. This indeed is a very proud and momentous event for the LGBTQ community.
In her Facebook account, Jess shares her story:
"57 days of hardship, tears, laughters and sacrifice.
Becoming a cabin crew was never a childhood dream. It was more like a challenge, a challenge to myself to know what Im capable of. To try something new. Sometimes you have to go out from your comfort zone to know yourself more and to know your capabilities.
Now that Im officially a cabin crew, I can now say I made it. I surpa ssed the most difficult training I ever had. This job has always been glamorous to look at, but they dont know the battlethat weve fought. Its not all about looking pretty, its been all about your comfort and your SAFETY.
As a trans woman, the first post op transgender woman flight attendant in the Philippines. A history has been made. I will forever cherish this opportunity given by Cebu Pacific. Id like to extend my deepest gratitude to Cebgo and Cebu Pacific for their acceptance. In behalf of the LGBTQ community, thank you.
This means that we are now slowly accepting and respecting individuality, uniqueness and expression. It is another milestone in the country that shows that Cebu Pacific is diverse and multicultural company. This wouldnt be possible not because of the pillars, bosses and supervisors of the company.
I hope this will be an inspiration not just to the LGBTQ community but to everyone who dreams and has goals in life to never give up on something you really want. Perseverance, positivity, determination and loving what you are doing are some of the perfect formula to achieve your goal and will definitely lead you the way to success and happiness. Now I can finally say, this is by far the greatest crown I have ever achieved.
This would not be possible without my support system. My family and friends, you are all my inspiration and motivation that keeps me going. To my papa in heaven, I know you are so proud of what I have achieved and for what I have become. Sorry if I was not there beside you when you left I know you would understand. Thank you and we love you."
Mikee Vitug
Photo source via Facebook / Mikee Vitug
It was not an easy journey for Mikee as she shares her story on her Facebook account. She came up with a random idea of applying as a flight attendant but thought was impossible since the Philippines really never had one yet. Yet even knowing that the Philippines is a very conservative country accompanied with a little convincing from her partner, Mikee took the leap of fate.
Photo source via Facebook / Mikee Vitug
Mikee knew that the screening process would not be easy so she prepared for it. After making it through the the impact to final interview, Mikee then went through the training process which was harder than she ever thought of.
After sheer determination, sleepless nights and hard work, Mikee received her certificate and wings as a full-fledge CebGo flight attendant! She is a licensed phamacist at the same time who worked for a popular drugstore in the country.
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This article first appeared on Air Traveller PH.
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