In 1998, when she first sat in an aircraft cockpit, Rosemawattee Remo not only fulfilled her childhood dream but also etched her name into history as the first female Muslim pilot in the Philippine Air Force. Her journey from the southern Philippines to the skies exemplifies determination and breaking societal barriers.
Born and raised in Sulu, a predominantly Muslim region, Remo grew up in a traditional household with clearly defined gender roles. Her decision to join the military, travel over a thousand kilometers from home, and pilot aircraft was met with resistance at first.
“My father was a school principal then, and he wanted me to follow in his footsteps,” she shared with Arab News. “The day before I left for Manila, I told him I had a scheduled flight. He responded, ‘You’re way ahead of your brothers. We’re still alive, and you’re already making decisions on your own.’”
Despite the initial challenges, Remo remained undeterred. “Those words keep ringing in my ears whenever I feel down,” she said. “They remind me that I cannot give up.”
Now a colonel and serving as deputy wing commander of the Philippine Air Force’s 410th Maintenance Wing, Remo began her military career in 1992 with the Women’s Auxiliary Corps. A year later, she enrolled in the Officer Candidate School, graduating in 1994 a year that marked a milestone with the enactment of a law allowing women to take on combat and leadership roles in the armed forces and police, roles once reserved solely for men.
“We were nearing graduation when we drew lots, and I was fortunate to be assigned to the Philippine Air Force,” Remo recounted. Her journey from a traditional upbringing to becoming a trailblazer in her field continues to inspire many.
+ There are no comments
Add yours