Remember earlier this year that I posted regarding Axe Apollo's search for astronauts, well this is the culminating part of it as they unveiled who were the lucky Pinoy who pushed through to be the first ever Pinoy Astronaut.  

The Philippines was among the top countries that participated in the global campaign with over 28,000 applications for the opportunity to become the first Filipino to ever go to space. From thousands, three candidates were selected to represent the country at the international AXE Apollo Space Camp held at the Kennedy Space Center in the U.S. The three candidates underwent astronaut training with over 100 others from all over the globe. Finally, one has been chosen to take to space by 2015 as the first Filipino astronaut.

After five days of grueling tests and challenges at the AXE Apollo Space Academy Space Camp, 22-year old Crossfit trainer and De La Salle University psychology graduate Chino Roque was declared the first Filipino astronaut by no less than legendary Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin. The ceremonies were held at the Kennedy Space Center Rocket Garden.

Chino Roque has emerged as the first Filipino astronaut in  the AXE Apollo Space Academy (AASA) Space Camp  at the Kennedy Space Center in Orlando, Florida.

“At the awarding ceremonies, when they called my name, all I could think about is how fortunate I am. From the start, this had been the experience of a lifetime. I’m grateful to the team of admirable guys I went to Space Camp with – Ramil and Evan – as well as the support of family, friends, and my countrymen,” said Roque.


Roque was welcomed here in the Philippines and was officially introduced to the media as the First Filipino Astronaut that will go to space in 2015.  The press conference was held at URBAN Bar, Bonifacio Global City.


Roque is set to become the first Filipino astronaut by 2015, joining 23 other AXE Apollo Space Academy winners on a sub-orbital space flight. The AXE Apollo winners are Patrick Carney (USA), Théo Abbaci-Nel (Canada), Marco Gorrasi (Brazil), Oliver Knight (UK), Felix Stach (DACH), Cyril Garnier (France), Jordi Ollebek (Netherlands), Eduardo Luruena (Spain), Róbert Vokál (Slovakia), Denis Efremov (Russia), Halil Kayıkçı (Turkey), Omar Samra (Egypt), Vinay Singh (India), Takanobu Yoneya (Japan), Rizman Adhi Nugraha (Indonesia), Pirada Techavijit (Thailand), Thanh Long Vu (Vietnam), Tim Gibson (Austrailia), Hamish Fagg (New Zealand), Tale Sundlisæter (Norway), Mandlenkosi Maseko (South Africa), Qing Guo (China), and Daniel Angelo “Chino” Roque (Philippines).

Know more about the AXE Apollo Space Camp.

The three Filipino representatives – Evan Rey Datuin, Ramil Santos, and Chino Roque – underwent training at the AXE Apollo Space Academy in Orlando, Florida. They experienced Zero-gravity Parabolic Flights on board a Boeing 727, Air Combat Training on-board an SIAI Marchetti SF260, and Hyper-gravity G Force Training.

The entire Filipino delegation, especially Roque, impressed the AXE and Space Expedition Corporation (SXC) judges with their performance on the challenges. Roque was one of the few who were able to maneuver the plane. All three delegates pushed their bodies to the limit as they took on the incredible pressures of hyper-gravity at four times the force of Earth’s gravity.

The AASA astronauts proudly display their certificates.

AXE Apollo’s Space Camp officially ended with the graduation of all 107 delegates and the awarding of the 24 space flight winners. The graduation ceremony was led by Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the chairman of the judging committee. Other members of AXE’s judging committee were XCOR Aerospace COO Andrew Nelson, whose rocket engine company is manufacturing the space craft that will fly the 24 winners to space; Space Expedition Corporation (SXC) CEO Michiel Mol; SXC Test Pilot Mission Control COO Harry Van Hulten; and SXC Director of Commercial Space Marlous Mens.

“AXE Philippines, as I am sure the Filipino people as well, are proud to have had Chino, Evan, and Ramil represent our country at the international AXE Apollo Space Camp. They showed that Filipinos are courageous, determined, and resilient,” says AXE Brand Manager Gem Laforteza.

Leave a man, come back a space hero

“AXE Apollo is about heroes. It’s about setting out to do what seems impossible,” says AXE Apollo Philippines judge Luis Manzano.

“We would like to believe that AXE’s campaign has inspired Filipinos and people everywhere to imagine the unimaginable,” says Laforteza.

Since its launch, AXE has received more than 1 million AXE Apollo Space Academy entries globally with the Philippines ranking 4th in the world and 1st in Asia in terms of applications. The space flights are set in 2015.

News alert!  To all AXE fans and users, the no. 1 fragrance brand on the planet  is sending 23 lucky people to space to celebrate the launch of their newest fragrance “AXE Apollo”.  The bad news is that unless you're one of the 112 people on Earth set to train at the international AXE Apollo Global Space Camp in Florida this December, you probably won't be one of them.  Well if you;re not one of those people set off to space then it's a good thing AXE Philippines and FOX International Channels made a better use of the weekend last week as they set up an “AXE Apollo Space Simulator”.  This is a specially-designated facility for all you people who won't make it to actual space.



Gladly, your's truly was invited to cover the “AXE Apollo Space Simulator” event and tried the actual simulator together with my husband.  We usually do pictures with my family and friends with the jump shots and my husband, who's our photographer need to captured that moment.  It was really fun seeing your self jumping high up in the air as if you're defying gravity.



With the "AXE Apollo Space Simulator" we were able to experience what it feels like in space just like the astronauts and I'm so excited to see my pic with that Simulator. So for the hundreds of people who were able to use the AXE's space simulator to take epic 360-degree videos of yourselves floating in zero-gravity, congratulations - you're an astronaut, at least in photos, just like what we did.



Now, if you didn't get invited to AXE's space camp and you weren't able to catch AXE's space simulator, you can still feel space and be like an astronaut by doing the "Apollo-ing".  Explaining more of the term it is taking a photo that is made to look like you're defying gravity or much better on zero gravity.  If you have done this then you're one of the few people who does the "Apollo-ing" and what's even great is that you can win a GO PRO Cameras while doing it. Here's how:

Step 1:  Take an epic photo of yourself suspended in mid-air. (Tip: Make sure you look like you didn't exert an ounce of effort jumping up in the air and striking a pose, so you look like you're really in zero-GS).


Step 2: Post the photo on Facebook o Twitter or Instaggram with the hashtag #AXEApolloing

Step 3: Show th photo to all your frieds and perhaps even to total strangers (optional)

Step 4: You get a chance to win a GO PRO Camera!

For more information about how to Apollo, check out www.axeapolloing.com AXE Space Simulator and AXE Apollo-ing are brought to you by FOX International Channels, Canon, and Bonifacio Global City.


So hurry, gals and pals, it's your chance to show off those astronaut like poses, and enjoy the GO PRO Camera if you win. Capture the moment and share it!

Over 20,000 Filipinos have signed up for a chance to win a trip to actual space with hundreds more signing up every day for AXE Philippines’ search for the first Filipino astronaut.

“Over half a million people from all over the world have joined AXE’s space program with the Philippines among the top countries to join at No. 5 – next to the U.S., Great Britain, Germany, and France,” reports AXE Brand Manager Gem Laforteza. “I think that’s mainly because this is a big first for our country.” The Philippines is the only Asian country in the list thus far with Russia, Canada, Brazil, Portugal, and Spain completing the Top 10.

AXE’s promise to make heroes out of regular guys (or girls) has fueled a something of a space craze, with even celebrities all over the world expressing their intention to join. Among the local celebrities who have signed up for the space race are celebrity radio jocks Tony Bueno (Tony Toni) and Eric Virata (Slick Rick) from Magic 89.9’s hit three-man show Boy’s Night Out (BNO).

Sam Gogna (Sam YG), the third man of the BNO trio, will be part of the panel of judges that AXE Philippines has appointed to choose the two contenders who will be joining 103 others from all over the world at the AXE Apollo Global Space Camp in the U.S. “If Tony and Slick make it to the space camp in Florida, they’ll be in for an out-of-this-world experience. It’s going to be crazy,” Sam comments. “They’re out to win. But they’re going to have to beat everyone else in the National Challenges. Walang special treatment for the Boys,” he adds.

On the day that AXE announced the space program globally, the news quickly spread on Facebook and Twitter. The announcement post on the AXE Philippines fan page reached over 3.7 million Filipinos on Facebook and the hashtag #FirstPinoyInSpace trended on Twitter the morning after.

Globally, the Axe Apollo Space Academy website www.axeapollo.com has received almost 4 million votes – 200,000 of which were from the Philippines. AXE has also been busy on YouTube with their SuperBowl Ad “Lifeguard” that clocked in 1 million views to date.

“Girls love a guy with a story, and this year Axe Apollo will give 22 guys one hell of a story. Hundreds of others from over 60 countries will also come over for three-day Axe Apollo Global Space Camp. Legendary spaceman Buzz Aldrin is also at the helm of the program, because he’s the man that represents everything that’s cool and awesome about being an astronaut,” says Russell Taylor, Axe Global Vice President.

Second man on the moon Buzz Aldrin has also been outspoken about his enthusiasm for AXE’s space program: “This is the future of space travel, where ordinary folks could get to experience in some ways what I have,” he says.

The program will culminate with an international crew of 22 astronauts who will be sent to space by the global fragrance brand AXE and international space travel agency Space Expedition Corporation (SXC). AXE Philippines has confirmed that there will be one guaranteed seat for a Filipino who will become the first Pinoy in space.

AXE Philippines Brand Manager Gem Laforteza expresses his appreciation for the massive outpour of support from aspiring Pinoys. “The number of applications we’ve gotten on axeapollo.com proves na hindi magpapahuli ang Pinoy. Everywhere in the country, people are talking about becoming the country’s next modern-day national hero. We at AXE Philippines are very happy to be part of this great moment in our history,” he says.

A hero’s welcome is waiting for you, so sign up now to be the first Pinoy astronaut. For more information on how to sign up for the Axe Apollo Space Academy, log on to www.axeapollo.com (direct Philippines link: www2.axeapollo.com/en_PH). Interested applicants may submit their entries until May 2013.