MANILA -- The Philippine Air Force pilot who is vying to become the first-ever Filipino astronaut has dropped out of the space race, organizers of AXE Apollo Space Camp said on Wednesday.
Air Force pilot Lt. Mario Mendoza Jr., 31, and Evan Rey Datuin, 24, bested 400 other applicants in the AXE Apollo Space Academy Philippines as they battled it out at the AXE Apollo National Challenge at Bonifacio Global City in late August.
Mendoza and Daturin were to be sent to the Axe Apollo International Space Camp in Orlando, Florida for training. One of them is guaranteed to travel to space in 2014.
But on Wednesday, Axe in a statement said Mendoza, who is currently in-training to become a jet fighter pilot in the Philippine Air Force, has withdrawn from the space program citing scheduling conflicts.
“Unfortunately, in the midst of preparations, conflict arose with Mendoza’s scheduled military training and duties prompting him to withdraw from the AXE Apollo space program,” the statement said.
Axe said it is now “evaluating and deliberating” on Mendoza’s replacement, who will be joining the other finalists of the AXE Apollo Space Academy at space camp.
“We respect Mario’s decision to finish his military training and serve the country first as a jet fighter pilot,” Axe brand manager Gem Laforteza said in the statement/
After consulting with Mendoza and the PAF leadership, Unilever Philippines vice president for corporate affairs Chito Macapagal also commented on the news of Mendoza’s withdrawal.
“The needs of the country have to come first. With a greater good in mind, everyone agrees with Lt. Mendoza’s decision,” Macapagal said.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
