It was April 25’2006- when I submitted my resume at International Placement Agency through email they replied after 2 days saying that I should proceed to Physical Screening and Initial Interview, April 27’ 2006- I went to the Agency wearing corporate attire as required, they checked my skin, teeth, height & weight, luckily I have no noticeable blemish & my weight are proportioned to my height. I passed the physical screening and scheduled me for interview. April 28’ 2006- I visited Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan, May 3’2006- I went back to Agency for the interview, a foreigner personnel interviewed me, Ms. Jasmine told me that they will call within 4-6 weeks if I will be short-listed. Weeks has passed and I haven’t receive any call, but I didn’t lose hope, I also applied to other Airlines such as Etihad Airlines, they called me for assessment at Hyatt Hotel in Roxas Blvd, but I arrived late afternoon and it was closed already! but that didn’t discourage me!

June 23’2006- After more than a month of waiting, while my family and I are on the way to St. Jude church in Manila, I received a text message from IPAMS saying that I should report at IPAMS to pick up my Qatar Airways assessment! The messages are still in my cellphone! =) After we visited the church I received another text message from Cebu Pacific, they invited me for exams on June 26 7:30am at Training and development Center, Pasay. The exam was so hard, it’s like entering a prestigious university. It’s strictly time pressure per exam, it includes English proficiency, Analogy/Abtracts, Problem reasoning with explanation, reading comprehension, Psychology & mathematics!!! I spent 4 hours there, we were 24 taking exams then only 3 Passed, including myself, but down to 2 because the other applicant has a tattoo in her arms. So we were just 2 who passed that morning. Thank God!

I solemnly pray and offer Novena to Mother Perpetual & St. Rita (St. of Impossible.) I really want to be a Flight Attendant, My story started when I was 5 yrs old, (1990) my first trip to Singapore, California then Hawaii. Seeing and knowing the Perks & advantages of flight attendants that was enough for me! I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, and with my almost yearly travel abroad, I have never deviated from that dream! Finally my chance came. I’m 21, old enough and just graduated a 4 years degree of B.A Communication Arts last April 1’2006.

June 30’2006- Qatar Airways workshop & Assessment held in New Manila, QC. The Flight attendant recruiters are British, Egyptian and Indian national (No Filipino). First they orient us, some discussion, Question & Answer, etc… Then they gave us comprehensive English Proficiency exam, while taking the exam they called the applicants by number, one by one… (I still recall my badge number 42!) Then they once again measure the height, weight, teeth and they will ask you some personal questions to test communication skills, They even asked if I was wearing contact lens, I replied yes, because I’m near sighted. After the exam they will check the papers then divide us to 3 groups for group dynamics, they gave us 3 situations & problems, on where we must contribute our ideas and point of views while the recruiters are evaluating us. The time has come, they will already announce the chosen applicants, I was Chosen!!! I was the last number announced! 42! Thank God! Out of 50 applicants that morning I was one of the 8 who got chosen!!! My heart is pounding, my hand is shaking, it’s like I want to cry! While other applicants who already have experiences and currently working at Philippine Airlines & Cebu Pacific and some already applied more than 3 times already but got rejected, I can’t believe I was chosen immediately… It was one of the memorable day of my life! Then I went home and pray, it’s such a big help!

July 2’ 2006- (Sunday) After filing out the application forms given by the international airline, We went to the International placement Agency for my Panel Interview, Then Executive Interview! It’s like a Ms. Universe pageant Q & A with more than 1 interviewer. Sensing how determined and serious I was, they closed the interview saying that the decision will be out within two weeks because the authorities when they’re back in Qatar will still approve it! The following day, an unfamiliar telephone number registered my cellphone, I missed the call and didn’t bother to call back, but then the next day July 3’ 2006,the exact time when I was reading a prayer book, the same number called me. If I’m not mistaken her name is Ms. Feyolla- an Egyptian. She said, “Hi, Estrellita!? If we will accept you, we would like you to know that colored hair is prohibited” I said “Oh, no Problem!” She said, Ok, great! Have a great day”.

A week came, and another week. It’s really hard to wait! Most especially when you didn’t know yet what you’re waiting… I was wondering why it took almost 3 weeks already, what went wrong, A time comes that I couldn’t stand the suspense any longer – I called the Agency to know if the results are out already! Finally, July 19’ 2006 (Wednesday) out of my despair – I received a text message that I should call the Agency regarding Qatar Airways application, I was inside the car that time, so I used my cellphone to call them, This was the big moment! They informed me the schedule of orientation & requirements that I should bring because I’m already accepted as FLIGHT ATTENDANT to an International Airline! I had finally received the answer I wanted to hear – I got the job!

*** “Prayer is a big help, keep believing, just have faith, don’t’ lose hope in achieving your goals in life, don’t let yourself be distracted because you know yourself better!!! Always remember that Everything’s happen for a reason, Time will come that it’s your time to shine so Dream big! & you’ll go far!” –Star