CEBU CITY, May 10, 2017, (PIA) ---- There are no limits to what women can do.
Philippine Air Force (PAF) pilot, Major Florriane Bacus-Reyes proved this by showing that women can also excel in a male-dominated field of expertise.
The 34-year-old PAF official has a record of flying several aircrafts including the N22 Nomad plane, Fokker F27, and the CASA C-295 or the airbus of the military.
Currently, Reyes is among the 20 female pilots assigned at the Brig. Gen. Benito Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City.
So, how did she end up in this career path?
Reyes shared that it was not part of her plans to become a pilot. She had to set aside her own dreams in order to fulfill the dreams of her father.
After finishing her degree on Business Management in the University of the Philippines - Cebu in 2003, her father asked her to take the entrance examinations for the Philippine Air Force Candidate School (PAFOCS).
Although it wasn't her dream, she said she learned to love it as she eagerly passed the exams and entered training.
Reyes said it was also a tough year for them especially for her.
Women during the training had their physical disadvantages compared to their male counterparts.
But this did not allow her to lose sight of her goal in becoming a pilot.
"It was really mentally and physically exhausting pero ang ironic pa gani is you would expect men nga dili mo-quit during training and it will be the women who will quit. But in our class of 54, seven men ang ni-quit. Forty-seven graduated. Walay babaye ang ni-quit. I think we are stronger mentally. Psychologically, mas stronger ang babaye."
(It was really mentally and physically exhausting but what is ironic is you would expect men not to quit during training and it will be the women who will quit. But in our class of 54, seven men quit. Forty-seven graduated. No woman quit. I think we are stronger mentally, Psychologically, women are stronger.)
Now more than a decade in the military service, Reyes said there are more opportunities for her and for other women pilots in the organization.
Equal opportunities for promotion and benefits are also given to women.
Aside from this, more and more women are encouraged to join their ranks. She attributed this to the organization, who also celebrate accomplishments of the women side by side with the men.
"Daghan opportunities as long as makit-an nila nga that you excel in your job ihatag nila ang position, regardless of your gender (There are many opportunities as long as they can see that you excel in your job, they will give the position, regardless of your gender)," she added.
Reyes has just got back to her flying job last May 2 after her maternity leave.
She is married to an Air Force pilot, who was her classmate back in PAFOCS. They are blessed with two kids.
Reyes urged other women to also not limit themselves.
"There are no limits to what we can do. You should be educated and committed to what you want to achieve," she said. ### (Carmel Loise Matus/ PIA-7)
