On December 13, 2019, two remarkable women, Jess Labares and Mikee Vitug, made history as the first openly transgender flight attendants for Cebu Pacific Airlines. Their participation in an interview on ABS-CBN News was groundbreaking not only for the airline industry but also for the LGBTQ+ community in the Philippines. Their stories, shared with honesty and pride, reveal not only their personal experiences but also the crucial steps toward inclusivity that Cebu Pacific has taken, making it a trailblazer in supporting the transgender workforce. The interview, conducted by an engaging host, was a candid conversation that explored their professional journeys, their personal battles, and the lessons learned along the way. Both Jess and Mikee spoke eloquently about the challenges they faced, misconceptions surrounding transgender individuals, and the significant milestones they’ve achieved within the airline industry.
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Jess Labares and Mikee Vitug were both hired by Cebu Pacific, with Jess becoming the first to join the airline. Despite the different paths that led them to the airline, both women are united by their courage and determination to break barriers in an industry where diversity and inclusion have not always been the norm. As flight attendants, their jobs require them to be professional, poised, and focused, but beyond these roles, their journey is one of pioneering change and challenging long-held prejudices. Jess, who was based in Cebu, shared that her role as a flight attendant had already taken her to various provinces across the Philippines, with one of her more notable trips being to Manila for her appearance on the show. Despite being relatively new to the airline, her pride in being part of the Cebu Pacific team was clear. Mikee, who joined the airline as a batchmate of Jess, also expressed her excitement about her month-long training, as she embarked on her new career with the same sense of pride and determination.
During the interview, Jess and Mikee spoke about the inherent challenges that come with being a transgender woman in a traditionally conservative society. As flight attendants, they were often faced with doubts, misjudgments, and outright discrimination. Both women had to navigate a professional world that was often unfamiliar with their experiences. However, one notable aspect of their stories was the fact that they were not required to declare their transgender identities explicitly during their recruitment process. They explained that they were allowed to present themselves as they were, and it was only later, during the introductions to their colleagues, that they felt the need to share their transgender identity. Jess, for example, mentioned that during one interaction, she proudly stated, “My name is Michael and you can call me Mikey, and I’m a proud trans woman.” This moment of self-affirmation was a testament to how Cebu Pacific allowed them to be their authentic selves. While Jess and Mikee never faced an overt challenge in the interview process, they acknowledged the potential for such situations to arise. The interview was detailed, with rigorous questions designed to test their abilities, but both women felt that the airline was supportive of their journey. Cebu Pacific’s approach to diversity is a stark contrast to the experiences of many transgender individuals who face rejection or exclusion due to their gender identity. Jess and Mikee’s success with Cebu Pacific highlights the importance of companies adopting inclusive hiring practices that recognize talent regardless of gender identity.
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Both women praised Cebu Pacific’s commitment to inclusivity and how this has shaped their experiences as employees. They made it clear that the airline had equipped them not only with the technical skills required for their jobs but also with the tools to handle potential challenges like harassment or discrimination. Cebu Pacific’s training program specifically prepares its staff to manage sensitive issues professionally. As Jess and Mikee explained, the airline provides training in self-defense and customer service, with a strong focus on handling situations that could involve uncomfortable or inappropriate interactions with passengers. This included dealing with passengers who might express ignorance or prejudice regarding their gender identity. For example, they discussed a scenario where a passenger might ask, “Are you a girl?” or express other offensive comments. Cebu Pacific’s response to such situations, according to Jess and Mikee, is always professional, focusing on customer service and de-escalation. Moreover, Cebu Pacific’s approach to transgender inclusion is progressive and far-reaching. As Jess shared, the airline has created a space where LGBTQ+ employees feel supported and accepted. She expressed her gratitude to Cebu Pacific for creating a welcoming environment and described the experience as “groundbreaking” for both the company and the Philippines as a whole. For Mikey, the experience has been a step forward not just for transgender people but also for other marginalized communities, as Cebu Pacific’s success could encourage other companies to follow suit.
One of the key themes of the interview was the stereotypes and misconceptions that both Jess and Mikee have faced as transgender women, not only in their professional lives but also in society at large. Jess noted that many people wrongly associate transgender women with being loud, boisterous, or flamboyant, which is often influenced by the stereotype of “parlor gays” or “street gays.” These stereotypes, she explained, do not reflect the diversity and complexity of transgender women’s experiences. Mikee also addressed a harmful misconception that many people still hold: that transgender women are mentally ill or delusional. This belief, although once considered a medical stance in the past, has been rejected by contemporary medical and psychological communities. As Mikey pointed out, “We’re not mentally ill, and if we were, we wouldn’t be here today.” The World Health Organization (WHO) no longer classifies transgenderism as a mental illness, but societal misunderstandings persist. Mikey emphasized that transgender women, like all people, deserve respect, dignity, and recognition for who they are. These misconceptions are part of a broader societal issue that Jess and Mikee are determined to address through visibility and education. Their participation in the ABS-CBN interview is one of many ways they seek to shift public perceptions and foster a more inclusive and respectful society for all individuals, regardless of gender identity.
The interview also turned its focus toward the role of Cebu Pacific in advancing the rights and opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals in the Philippines. Cebu Pacific’s leadership, particularly its CEO Lance Gokongwei, was commended for his progressive stance in hiring transgender women. Both Jess and Mikee expressed their gratitude toward the airline’s leadership for its open-minded approach and for taking concrete steps to create an inclusive workforce. They even acknowledged that this was “groundbreaking” for the Philippines, a country where LGBTQ+ rights are still a work in progress. As Mikey articulated, the airline’s openness and support have the potential to spark wider change in the Philippines’ corporate landscape. The success of Cebu Pacific in hiring and retaining transgender employees sends a powerful message to other businesses that inclusivity is not only the right thing to do but also benefits the company and its employees in the long term.
At the end of the interview, the host asked Jess and Mikee about their personal aspirations beyond being flight attendants. Jess, while still enjoying her role, expressed an interest in owning a home and eventually starting a family. Mikey, on the other hand, revealed a lifelong dream of becoming a pilot. Having always wanted to join the Air Force, Mikey’s goal is to eventually obtain the necessary training to become a pilot, and Cebu Pacific has shown support for this by offering loan programs for employees who wish to pursue further education and career advancement. Mikey’s determination to reach this goal serves as an inspiration to others who may think that flight attendants have limited career trajectories.
Jess Labares and Mikee Vitug’s participation in the ABS-CBN interview on December 13, 2019, was a historic moment for both the airline industry and the LGBTQ+ community in the Philippines. Their stories of perseverance, professionalism, and pride in their identities shine as beacons of hope and progress. Cebu Pacific’s commitment to inclusivity and their support of transgender employees is a testament to how companies can create environments where all individuals, regardless of gender identity, can thrive and succeed. As they continue to break barriers and defy expectations, Jess and Mikee are not just changing the landscape of the airline industry - they are also helping to shape a more inclusive and understanding society for future generations.
Image credits: YouTube - ABS-CBN News
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