It is rare for me to witness someone’s dream of becoming a cabin crew member come true. Usually, I only get to see the wings-pinning ceremonies of many flight attendants, and only a few individuals from recruitment to earning their wings. However, Cebu Pacific cabin crew batch 223’s story is different because I witnessed everyone’s journey, from recruitment to becoming Cebu Pacific cabin crew. This story begins all the way at SMX in Clark.
Seeing Cebu Pacific batch 223’s story always reminds me that nothing is impossible if you work hard for your dreams. However, earning their wings isn’t the end of the story. It’s actually just the beginning. For Cebu Pacific cabin crew batch 223, their first productive flight will mark the beginning of their dreams becoming a reality as they carry out the duties of a flight attendant with full dignity.
Recruitment
I remember seeing their faces during the Cebu Pacific cabin crew recruitment event held at SMX Clark, Pampanga, last May 5. You could see how nervous they were, hoping to land their dream job. While Cebu Pacific is a low-cost airline, that only applies to airfares. Safety and service standards remain very high, making it challenging to become a Cebu Pacific cabin crew member.
These cabin crew aspirants go through multiple stages of screening. Also, only a few cabin crew applicants are accepted due to manpower requirements, making competition stiff. This is why, when successful applicants found out they passed, you could see their happiness and joy. They knew they were one step closer to their dream of becoming Cebu Pacific cabin crew members. However, this was just the beginning of their story.
Training
The Cebu Pacific cabin crew training is very challenging, and I hope all cabin crew applicants prepare properly. While many focus only on recruitment, they should also be well-prepared for training. Some of those recruited from Clark, whom I met during their recruitment, became part of batch 223. From the time Cebu Pacific began operations in 1996, they became the 223rd batch of the airline.
I saw batch 223 on their first day of training. Usually, the first day involves orientation and going over the rules. The official start of batch 223’s training began on the second day. Cebu Pacific cabin crew training is a 52-day intensive program in line with Philippine civil aviation regulations and global safety standards.
The training covers many topics, including safety and aircraft technicalities. Of course, there are also emergency procedure drills. The trainees face multiple exams, both written (digital) and practical. They also must pass checkrides, which account for a large portion of the criteria.
The trainees are allowed a maximum of three lifelines. Failing a fourth exam means being removed from the training program. You can imagine the pressure batch 223 went through. They had to endure sleepless nights and missed family events.
This is how tough the training is. Batch 223 had to pass through the “eye of a needle.” Some call it the “baptism of fire” when entering the airline industry.
The Beginning of their Cabin Crew Journey
After 52 days of hard work, sleepless nights, tears, and missing countless family events, Cebu Pacific cabin crew batch 223’s dreams became a reality, and I was very fortunate to witness it myself. I saw their tears of joy and the celebration as their trainer-in-charge, Mr. Paulo Marimla, called each member to receive their wings and certificates. It was a celebration at the end and the beginning of a new journey.
On September 6, Cebu Pacific batch 223’s journey as cabin crew aspirants ended, and their journey as Cebu Pacific cabin crew members began. This experience reminded me that nothing is impossible if you stay focused on your goal and what truly matters. Discouragement may come, especially when facing challenges, but we must never let it defeat us. No one can stop you from turning your dreams into reality.
From aspirants to cabin crew members, Cebu Pacific batch 223’s story proves that dreams can come true.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
