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.