Iliganon engineer one of Cebu Pacific's first cadet pilots

By: Mike Banos
Mindanao Daily News

Now EveryJuan Can Fly!

Iliganon engineer Darryl Dave Ditucalan during the press presentation of the 1st batch of Cebu Pacific Cadet Pilots, April 10, 2018, at CEB Corp. Center. [TEXT & PHOTO: Mike Banos, Mindanao Daily News]

The Philippines' leading carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE: CEB) recently sent off its first batch of Cadet Pilots for an intensive aviation training program at Flight Training Adelaide (FTA), Australia.

The first of 16 Cadet Pilots were culled from over 12,500 applicants after a rigorous screening series of tests, medical and physical examinations, and an aviation foundation course at the Philippine Academy for Aviation Training in Clark Field, Pampanga last month.

Among the 16 successful cadets chosen for the first batch of Cadet Pilots is a Mindanawnon, Darryl Dave G. Ditucalan of Iligan City.

"I wanted to be a pilot since I was a kid," Dave recalls, remembering how people had a very high regard for pilots in Lanao del Norte.  "I had a lot of airplane toys, among them an A320 model which I still keep in my bedroom."  

Though he says there was no particular person who influenced his dream of becoming a pilot, people around him played a great influence in pursuing his chosen vocation.

"I had really wanted to take up a flying career and even considered joining the Philippine Military Aviation (PMA) just to be an aviator, but my Mom did not approve," he recalls.  PMA graduates enjoy perks such as free training to the PAF Flying School though there is a mandatory 12-year service required for all aviators before they are allowed to pursue other flying careers.

Stymied on that track, Dave next looked up what scholarships were available online but they all were abroad, so he gave up on his dream to fly to pursue a degree in electronics instead since he was fond of electronic gadgets and his parents couldn't afford to send him to flying school.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Letecia, Daniel Dave, Lovelle, Darryl Dave, and David

A true-blue Iliganon, Dave was born and raised in Iligan City, the second of three children of David Quijano Ditucalan, former board member of the 2nd Congressional District of Lanao del Norte and now a Congressional Consultant for the 2nd District, and Letecia Getaruelas-Ditucalan, Provincial head of Dept. of Agriculture in Lanao del Norte.  His eldest sister Lovelle was a Doctor to the Barrios and is now preparing for her residency at East Avenue Hospital in Quezon City while his younger brother Daniel Dave is now preparing for his freshman year as a B.S. Bio student at MSU-IIT.


Dave finished his grade school at La Salle Academy and high school at the Integrated Developmental School at Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT).

He took up a B.S. in Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE) at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) where he has graduated Valedictorian and Summa Cum Laude.

Following his graduation, Dave placed third in both the Electronics and Engineering and Electronics Technician Board Examinations.  He has also presented his thesis at various national and international conferences.

But after working for almost a year for a semiconductor company in Cavite as an IC designer he found little fulfillment in his work, which was contrary to his expectations to be with people and to serve the people, which he attributes to his foundation from both parents who were both serving the people as public servants.

"My mom worked in the provincial agriculture office of Lanao del Norte and my dad also served as a member of the second district of the Lanao del Norte provincial board, so I was oriented early by my family to be service of the people," he noted.

But his dream of flying wouldn't go away.

When Cebu Pacific issued the call for the first batch of cadet pilots last year, Dave immediately jumped at the opportunity.

"To those wanting to be pilots but are financially or otherwise constrained, take advantage of this opportunity offered by Cebu Pacific," he advised.  "The ten year payback period is very affordable compared to what this career can bring to you and your family."

Asked what qualities he had which had served him best in making it to the first batch of Cebu Pacific's Cadet Pilots, Dave replied: "it's discipline, discipline, discipline!"


"We have to watch our body and mind.  We have to be prepared physically, mentally, and psychologically for this kind of career.  Any minor problem with our physical or mental capability might be a career-ender," he stressed.

Cebu Pacific will shoulder the cost of the training, type-rating, and license, with successful cadet-pilots guaranteed employment with CEB.  They will then reimburse the cost of the program through salary deduction over a maximum of ten years at zero interest.

Dave and his 15 cohorts will be spending 52 weeks at the FTA campus in Adelaide and would return to the Philippines upon completing their training there to complete type-rating and licensing requirements to become full-fledged commercial pilots.  After successfully completing the program, the cadet-pilots become First Officers at CEB, and join the corps of aviators at Cebu Pacific, flying domestic and international routes.

"Personally, I will help my brother in his studies, especially he will be taking medicine in the future and my parents are all retired by that time," Dave said in response to his plans for the future.

"I would save and invest my money for my security and I will give back to the community as much as I could.  Professionally, I'll serve the people by serving Cebu Pacific with full commitment and integrity.  I will support any endeavors by the corporation as much I could especially the expansion plans of the airline."

CEB undertook the groundbreaking program after noting the dearth of pilots for its growing fleet of aircraft.  Between 2018 and 2022, CEB expects delivery of six more brand-new Airbus A321ceo, 32 Airbus A321neo, and seven ATR 72-600 aircraft, hence the pressing need for more pilots to man its growing fleet.  These, in addition to its present 62-strong fleet of one Airbus A321CEO, 36 Airbus A330, eight ATR 72-500, and nine ATR 72-600 brand-new aircraft. 

Hopefully, we will meet Dave and his cohorts again one day soon in one of our flights with Cebu Pacific.  Indeed, now EveryJuan Can Fly.  [Mike Banos, Mindanao Daily News]