First Filipina F16 Fighter Pilot

I came across this YouTube video about the first Filipina F16 fighter pilot. Anybody doing great with a bit of Filipino heritage is usually hyped here in the Philippines, so it does seem like a great topic to write about.

Based on an article she migrated to the US when she was young. She lived in Pasay and Olongapo before her family migrated to the US. For a first generation immigrant this is a great feat. Adjusting to the culture is not easy. Having the drive and ambition to reach her goals is quite an achievement.

I find it quite sad though as a looked at the comments that some of my fellow Filipinos have somewhat disowned her saying saying that she is an American and no longer a Filipino. The fact that she was born and raised here even for a short time makes her a Filipino. There are just some things that you can't take away from people. Pinoys born and raised on other countries still identify themselves as Filipinos because you can't simply take away who you are and where you came from. On the other hand if you look at the likes of Jordan Clakson and other Fil-foriegners who don our flag for sports, people easily embrace them. While there were some initial issues with Fil-foriegners before it seemed to have waned.

The US Embassy does a good job to highlight military personnel with Filipino roots and I think they make an effort to deploy them here in the Philippines when given an opportunity. While the US does not seem to embrace it. They are a land of immigrants.

I don't think it's bad to highlight a Filipino or Filipina for their achievements. Being the first Filipina-American to fly an F16 is something you can't take away from Captain Monessa Catuncan Balzhizer.

I would be remiss if I don't mention 2nd Lieutenant Catherine Mae Emeteria Gonzales who was sent to train for the Aviation Leadership Program in the US. She played her part in the Marawi Siege in 2017. See a short article about her here.

I think it always good to highlight Filipina achievements worldwide and support them as much as we can.