First Filipino Astronaut named

FIRST FILIPINO ASTRONAUT — Chino Roque (right), the 22-year-old crossfit trainer, became the first Filipino astronaut after legendary spaceman Buzz Aldrin (left) selected him as one of 24 astronauts to fly in space onboard a Space Expedition Corporation shuttle in 2015. Aldrin, the second person to walk on the moon, served as lunar module pilot for Apollo 11, the first manned lunar landing mission, in 1969.

Manila, Philippines - A psychology graduate from De La Salle University (DLSU) has been officially named as the first Filipino astronaut.

Chino Roque, the 22-year-old crossfit trainer, will be the first Filipino to travel in space in 2015 after he was personally chosen by legendary spaceman and AASA Space Camp judging committee chairman Buzz Aldrin in awarding ceremonies at the Rocket Garden of the Kennedy Space Center in Orlando, Florida, USA.

Roque will join 24 other astronaut winners who will fly in space onboard a Space Expedition Corporation shuttle.

Aldrin selected Roque after more than three days of grueling AXE Apollo Space Academy (AASA) tests at the AASA Space Camp.

Aside from Aldrin, other judges include XCOR Aerospace COO Andrew Nelson, whose rocket engine company is manufacturing the shuttle to fly the 24 AASA winners in space; Space Expedition Corporation (SXC) CEO and shuttle owner Michiel Mol; SXC Test Pilot Mission Control COO Harry van Hulten; and SXC Director of Commercial Space Marlous Mens.

An outdoor party among the astronaut aspirants followed the graduation ceremony. Roque bested compatriots Evan Ray Datuin and Ramil Santos for the title via impressive performances in the Air Combat Training, G Force Training, and Assault Course.

The three Filipinos had earlier flown to the United States to take part in a five-day intense astronaut training that employed the same methods and equipment used to hone the skills of astronauts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

These include AXE Space Academy Air Combat Training onboard a SIAI Marchetti SF260, G Force Training through the G Force Simulator, Assault Course, and Aptitude Test. Roque’s entry to the final three was rather unconventional. He joined the Filipino delegation as replacement to Air Force Lieutenant Mario Mendoza Jr. – one of two original finalists from the AXE Apollo National Challenges, who decided to withdraw from the competition to serve his military duties as a pilot-in-training in the Philippine Air Force.

Roque, who once played football for De La Salle, is the youngest of the three delegates and is currently working as a marketer and fitness coach. He is an admirable athlete, with an edge in the physical aspect of the competition. He not only displays physical prowess, but also willpower, discipline, and a strong drive to constantly better himself.

“I’ve heard some say that working in the fitness industry may give me an advantage at space camp. But I don’t see it that way. I know I have a lot to prove, especially coming into this… the way I did. All I have is my drive to surpass my limits. That, I think, is what defines a ‘hero’,” said Roque.