Photo courtesy of Philippine Airlines.
Photo courtesy of Philippine Airlines.
Through scholarships, storytelling, and mentorship, Philippine Airlines’ new initiative is paving the way for more women to take flight.
In 1989, Captain Aimee Carandang-Gloria etched her name into history as the first female pilot to operate a commercial flight in Southeast Asia. Just four years later, she shattered yet another ceiling, becoming the region’s first female airline captain under Philippine Airlines (PAL). Since then, her groundbreaking achievements have paved the way for many aspiring pilots in the Philippines, inspiring countless individuals to pursue careers in aviation.
Following in Captain Aimee’s footsteps, a new wave of Filipina pilots have emerged, each carving their own path in the aviation industry. Among them is Jul Laiza Mae Camposano-Beran, recognized as the first female fighter pilot in the Philippine Air Force. Another notable figure is Lilybeth Tan-Ng, who currently holds the position of assistant vice president for pilot affairs at Philippine Airlines. Additionally, Emmie Inciong and first officer Pam See have made significant contributions as pilots across the country.
In celebration of these women and their contributions, Philippine Airlines unveils the Fly With Her program; an initiative designed to support the next generation of aspiring Filipina pilots. The program debuted with the release of a short film featuring pilots from Philippine Airlines. It tells the story of a young girl with a passion for airplanes, showcasing her journey as she flies paper airplanes, kites, and model aircraft; ultimately finding the courage to pursue her dreams of becoming a pilot. Also accompanying the video is a rendition of the song Alapaap by Eraserheads, re-recorded with female vocals.
Alongside the release of their short film, the airline has also launched the Fly With Her children’s book, written by Irish Bautista and Mica Dela Rosa and brought to life through the illustrations of Kim Alexis Santiago. To make the experience more interactive, the book includes step-by-step instructions for readers to create and fly their own paper airplanes.
In homage to the many Filipina pilots who have flown with the airline, the Fly With Her Program also pledges PHP 10 million to the PAL Foundation, establishing a fund to support aspiring pilots facing financial challenges. In an industry where women remain underrepresented, with only 6% of pilots globally, this program aims to break barriers and provide the resources needed to create more success stories like that of Captain Aimee Carandang-Gloria, inspiring new generations of pilots to take to the skies.
For more information, check out philippineairlines.com/FlyWithHer to learn more about how PAL is supporting aspiring women pilots.
Parents can also secure a free copy of the Fly With Her storybook at the PAL Museum every Thursday and Friday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM throughout the month of March.
