CrossFit trainer will be PHL's first astronaut

A 22-year-old CrossFit trainer will represent the Philippines in a space expedition in 2014 sponsored by a brand of men's grooming products.

 

Chino Roque emerged as the "First Pinoy Astronaut," personal care company Axe Philippines said on its social networking site.

 

"On behalf of our countrymen and the AXE Community, we would like to congratulate Chino Roque for becoming the First Pinoy Astronaut. Through you, we will make history," it said on Friday.

 

Roque was among a group of prospective Filipino astronauts who took part in the AXE Apollo Space Academy Space Camp assault course at the Kennedy Space Center in Orlando, Florida.

 

A separate report on state-run Philippines News Agency said legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin declared Roque the first Filipino astronaut during awarding ceremonies at the Kennedy Space Center.

 

The PNA said Roque will join 24 other winners who will fly to space in a Space Expedition Corp. shuttle.

According to space science website Space.com, winners of the AXE promo are expected to ride the XCOR Aerospace Lynx space plane, a shuttle designed for sub-orbital flight.

Space Expedition Corp. plans to launch commercial flights to the edge of space by 2015, a separate Space.com post said.

 

Roque beat fellow Filipinos Evan Ray Datuin and Ramil Santos for the title due to his performance in the Air Combat Training, G Force Training and Assault Course.

 

The three Filipinos took part in five days of astronaut training that included air combat training aboard a SIAI Marchetti SF260, g-force training through the G-Force Simulator, an assault course and an aptitude test. — JDS, GMA News