How many lady pilots do you know? I know one.
I was already high up above the clouds onboard flight 5J965 bound for Davao when I noticed a female voice on the speaker talking about our flight status. I could not believe it when she said, "This is your captain speaking." I waited for this voice to identify herself, even listening intently and seriously making sure that it's really a female's voice, and then she said "Capt. Mayra Florencio" and I was just taken aback on my seat and was so excited that I'm on board an aircraft with a lady pilot on command.
We had a smooth flight and I was determined to be one of the last few persons to alight the plane in order to get a chance of taking a snapshot with the Captain, and I was lucky that she granted my request. I had only one question for Capt. Mayra Florencio and it went this way, "How young are you?" Unfortunately, my question was answered with a mischievous "I'd rather not talk about it," and then we just laughed and I was happy leaving the plane with my photos.
I did a little research about Capt. Mayra Florencio and I was not surprised to see that she was already featured in Philippine Star's July 10, 2004 issue about Cebu Pacific Air's maiden flight of an all-female crew from Manila to Cebu. Mayra was then the First Officer opposite another lady pilot, Capt. Catherine Marie Castillo.
I am just so inspired with women who have gone beyond the usual. I salute you, Capt. Mayra!
