Twenty straight rejections before becoming a flight attendant

Even before she started college, Ronnela Manlulu’s ideal profession was to be a flight attendant. Ron is now a member of the Philippine Airlines cabin crew, and she is living her dream. Ron may now travel to destinations she thought she could only see in images, such as London, New York, and San Francisco. She is clearly content with her current situation. However, Ron’s voyage was not without difficulty. Before becoming a flight attendant, she was rejected twenty times in a row.

Ronnela Manlulu became a nurse because her parents urged her to owing to the great demand at the time. She began applying as a flight attendant after graduating from college and working in the BPO business. Ron’s initial application was rejected. Of course, Ron was devastated since he so really wanted to be a cabin crew member. Nonetheless, she did not back down. “I took a second try, hoping that the airline I applied with would accept me in,” she explained. “I queued in the line under the hot sun amid hundreds of applicants, only to be refused once more.”

Dreams to become a flight attendant began diminishing

It was just another terrible moment for Ron as her aspirations faded. It was particularly difficult for her because her job at the BPO center required an irregular work schedule. “That feeling of failure was fleeting, and I thought maybe the third world was it,” she explained. When another airline announced a recruitment day, Ron was ready. She was rejected again, same as the previous two times. Then there was a fourth try, a fifth, a sixth, and so on. The cycle continued indefinitely. Sending resumes, lining up, and being denied as a flight attendant by the airline.

Imagine Ron’s situation at the time, receiving regret slips and hearing those awful sentences, “better luck next time.” She had to stand in line under the sun and heavy rain. Ron waited all day during the mass hiring, got caught up by the cut-off time, and tried to line again the next day at 5 a.m. to try her luck.

Determination was greater than failure

However, Ron’s determination was greater than the pain of rejections. “Despite the airlines not telling me why I was being rejected, I worked on improving myself overall. The pain was beginning to get worse but my desire to be a flight attendant was even stronger,” she shared.

The cycle went on and on, and it amounted to 20 straight rejections!.

“I must say that I was at my lowest point of questioning my strength and capabilities, if it was really for me,” shared Ron. “My dream was to be a flight attendant, and even if I would cry alone and some peers making me realize that flying is not for me, I knew deep in my heart that it is. I will not stop until I get my wings and I continued to improve myself. I had to always move forward and stand-up after every fall to chase my dreams,” she recalled.

Finally a flight attendant after twenty straight turn-downs

Despite the setbacks, discouragements, and rejections, Ron persisted in her flight attendant ambition. When she applied for Air Asia X on her 21st attempt, luck was on her side, and she got in!

​Ron is finally a flight attendant of Air Asia X, a Kuala Lumpur based airline.

Ron, like other flight attendants, had to go through grueling trainings, long nights, a daily 90% passing rate on examinations, strenuous drills, and even battled home sickness. She got this far because she was determined. Ron finally got her wings!

Pursuing her ultimate dream, to be a PAL flight attendant

Ron later opted to remain closer to her loved ones while still pursuing her aspirations. She subsequently resigned from Air Asia X in order to return to the Philippines and work as a flight attendant in Manila. She attempted to reapply after serving her first love. Well, it’s the same old tale, rejection! Nonetheless, Ron was confident that she would succeed on the following several attempts. She has already obtained valuable experience and expertise as a result of Air Asia’s rigorous training program. When a local airline announced another open day, Ron queued up once more.

Well, rejection! “Needless to say, I previously faced 20 turn downs from different local and foreign airlines before becoming a cabin crew. Who said that I will not be able to make it again,” Ron said.

Philippine Airlines announced a massive cabin crew recruiting day in 2015. Ron had the impression that this was her opportunity to shine. She aspired to be a flight attendant with Philippine Airlines. It was her ultimate fantasy. Ron stood in line with thousands of other candidates in front of the PNB headquarters, all cheerful. She was certain that this was it!

Finally, a PAL flight attendant

The PAL recruitment day did not come easy. The PAL recruitment day was not without difficulty. Impact interview, medical test, and more interviews! It was so nerve-racking that Ron was practically shivering with each step, with the fear of being rejected again. However, luck was once again on her side this time.

Then came the announcement that Ron had passed the screening and will begin her PAL flight attendant training!

Then came the announcement that Ron had passed the screening and will begin her PAL flight attendant training!

Today, Ron continues to fly for PAL, living her dream which she once thought as impossible. “I can say that this is the most fulfilling part of my experience and I am now and still living my dream and in awe of everything. ​All the rejections, tears, and challenges were worth it, even more,” said Ron.

Consider what would have occurred if Ron had given up on the 20th try. What would have occurred if Ron had given up on the 18th attempt? Sometimes, the time we choose to give up is when we are an inch closer to gold. It makes no sense to surrender in the middle of a battle. You were already in pain and injured, so you might as well win.

If there is one advice Ron wants to share to everyone especially to those who aspire to become a cabin crew, it is this: “ang pangarap mo ay hindi basta basta masisira sa bilang ng mga pagsubok na napagdaanan mo.”