First Filipino Astronaut reaching for the stars

I was skeptical that a Filipino will be given a chance to be aa astronaut. We now that commonly astronauts are predominantly European, African, or American ancestry. But now the dream of having a Filipino astronaut now a reality.

Axe a fragrance brand in the world had come up a global campaign to take the Filipino to space over 160 countries worldwide to celebrate the launching of AXE Apollo their newest fragrance.

From the 28,000 applications only three candidates will qualify to represent the Philippines at the international AXE Apollo Space Camp is held at Kennedy Space Center.

Our three selected representative are Evan Rey Datuin, Ramil Santos and Chino Roque. Before heading to the AXE Apollo Space Camp they prepared and trained for the up coming test and challenges they will face for their five days stay at AXE Apollo Space Academy Space Camp.

 

They experienced Zero-gravity Parabolic Flights on board a Boeing 727, Air Combat Training on-board an SIAI Marchetti SF260, and Hyper-gravity G Force Training.

 

 

 

 

Our first Filipino Astronaut no other than Daniel Angelo “Chino” Roque. He will be joined by other 23 space flight winners space flights are set in 2015.

Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the chairman of the judging committee

Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the chairman of the judging committee

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AXE Apollo Space Academy winners on a sub-orbital space flight
  1. Patrick Carney (USA),
  2. Théo Abbaci-Nel (Canada),
  3. Marco Gorrasi (Brazil),
  4. Oliver Knight (UK),
  5. Felix Stach (DACH),
  6. Cyril Garnier (France),
  7. Jordi Ollebek (Netherlands),
  8. Eduardo Luruena  (Spain),
  9. Róbert Vokál (Slovakia),
  10. Denis Efremov (Russia),
  11. Halil Kayıkçı (Turkey),
  12. Omar Samra (Egypt),
  13. Vinay Singh (India),
  14. Takanobu Yoneya (Japan),
  15. Rizman Adhi Nugraha (Indonesia),
  16. Pirada Techavijit (Thailand),
  17. Thanh Long Vu (Vietnam),
  18. Tim Gibson (Austrailia),
  19. Hamish Fagg (New Zealand),
  20. Tale Sundlisæter (Norway),
  21. Mandlenkosi Maseko (South Africa),
  22. Qing Guo (China), and
  23. Daniel Angelo “Chino” Roque (Philippines)
TOP 23

The AASA astronauts proudly display their certificates.

My message to Chino Roque:

At first I was skeptical that a Filipino will be given a chance to be an astronaut. But you Chino Roque you have proven us that we Filipino can be anything. We just need to put our minds to it and strive for it. This is the start for us to be big and prove to the other country we deserve to be recognized. Keep it up! “Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground” #axeapollo #firstpinoyastronaut

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Cor

About Cor

I am a single mom of all boys. I love cars, food, traveling and anything in between.