These Two Transgender Women Have Made Philippine Aviation History

Jess Labares & Mikee Vitug of Cebgo are the nation’s first transgender cabin crew members

While the country’s LGBTQ community awaits the fate of the proposed Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGIE) bill in congress, it can celebrate another victory, another bold step in their long fight for equality and acceptance.

On November 18, 2019, as Cebu Pacific conducted the graduation rites for Cebgo Batch 11, history was made as two transgender women officially became Cebgo cabin crew members, a first for the Philippine airline industry.

Jess Labares and Mikee Vitug have now joined the ranks of the approximately 1,800 cabin crew members of Cebgo and Cebu Pacific.


The latest batch of Cebgo Cabin Crew graduates, flanked by (from left) Felix Lopez, VP People Department; Capt. Pol Salvador, Cebgo VP for Flight Operations; Peluchi Reloj, Cebgo VP Inflight Department; (2nd from right) Cebgo President and CEO Alex Reyes; and Cebu Pacific Chief Executive Adviser Mike Scuzs.

Labares, a 24-year-old beauty pageant winner, shared the news with a Facebook post which has since garnered more than 15,000 likes. “After fifty-seven days, I passed the most difficult training I’ve ever had in my entire life. This job may seem glamorous to look at, but what people don’t really see are the battles, both personal and professional, that we face. It has never been about looking pretty, but our passengers’ comfort and, most importantly, their safety,” wrote Jess.

Cebu Pacific has a long-established policy of providing equal opportunity and embracing the diversity and uniqueness of each employee. In part, the company policy statement states, “We understand, accept and value differences in race, culture, age, religion, marital status, abilities, gender identities and gender expression.”


Jess Labares receiving her token gift during the graduation ceremony.

While the airline has a non-discriminatory hiring policy, all applicants must pass a stringent set of qualifications (“the right attitude and aptitude”) to make it onboard. Each year, the airline receives around 8,000 applications. Only the best of the best make the cut.

Continuing her Facebook post, Labares thanked the airline for the opportunity and its open-minded policies. “On behalf of the LGBTQ community, thank you very much. This means that we have progressed into a more accepting society who has learned to respect and celebrate human individuality and expression. It is another milestone in our country that proves that reputable companies such as Cebu Pacific Air can be diverse and multicultural—and this would have never been possible without their indiscriminate and forward-thinking supervisors, managers, and big bosses. Thank you!”


New Cebgo cabin crew member Mikee Vitug displays her violin-playing skills.

Also making history is Mikee Vitug, who until recently worked as a pharmacist after graduating from Centro Escolar University. “Do not be afraid to fail, be afraid of not trying. Take a leap of faith, you never know what is waiting for you on the other side,” wrote Vitug in a Facebook post as she celebrated becoming part of Cebgo’s cabin crew.

As detailed in her post, she was filled with doubt and trepidation even before she applied, but received encouragement from her partner, who reassured her with the words, “Stop resisting because there's no harm in trying.”

Vitug accepted the challenge, which she describes as an incredibly difficult two months of intense training. She recounted the difficult exams, physical tests like swimming in deep water, learning all the safety procedures and, of course, learning how to provide excellent customer service. “Sobrang proud ako sa sarili ko na naka survive ako at eto na naka graduate na ako ng training at checkride masasabi ko na I am now officially a Cabin crew,” wrote Vitug.

“I am grateful na binigyan ako and Miss Jess Labares ng rare opportunity ng Cebu Pacific [and] Cebgo na i prove ang sarili namin na kaya namin maging cabin crew. Nakakatuwa at nakaka taba ng puso na Cebu Pacific [and] Cebgo started this change sa aviation industry sa Pilipinas, they promote diversity and professional growth regardless of race, religion, sex, gender identity and individuality.”