MANILA, Philippines – A heartfelt social media post by a newly licensed pilot has gone viral and touched thousands of netizens, as it sheds light on the quiet struggles that often accompany the fulfillment of one’s dreams.
In the viral Facebook post, Genesis Bernardo, 42 from Calamba, Laguna shared that despite being officially licensed and having graduated from flight school, he still felt completely "broken" inside.
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| Photo courtesy: Genesis Bernardo/Facebook |
He recounted commuting daily from Laguna to Manila, wearing his pilot uniform, riding tricycles and buses, just to look for job opportunities.
“Licensed pilot na ako dito… pero sa totoo lang, basag na basag ako,” he said.
“Licensed, graduate and a dream come true..Akala ko simula na to ng magandang buhay. Pero sa totoo lang, dito pa lang nagsimula yung totoong laban.”
Despite his professional appearance, he quietly ate packed rice and eggs for lunch, which he admitted made him feel ashamed, especially when other pilots dined out.
Although no one said anything negative to him, the pilot admitted to feeling intense internal struggle, as if he wasn’t enough, even with the title of “pilot.”
“May mga araw na nagbaon ako ng kanin at itlog, binalot, packed lunch. Galing akong Laguna, araw araw ba-biyahe suot ang uniform ko, sasakay ng tricycle at bus papuntang Manila para lamg maghanap ng trabaho.”
“Wala kong libreng lunch, nahihiya na ko sa magulang ko. Kaya minsan nagbabaon na lang ako, parang batang estudyante.”
“Yung ibang kasama kong piloto, kakain sa labas. Ako, tahimik lang at kakainin ang baon ko. Walang nagsabi ng kahit anong masama, pero sa loob loob ko, sobrang awang awa na ko sa sarili ko.”
“Naisip ko, piloto na ko.. pero bakit parang wala pa rin akong kwenta?”
Despite the emotional toll and self-doubt, he fought through each day with quiet courage. Now, looking back, he offers a message of hope to those who might be in the same position.
“Kung makita ko yung sarili ko sa araw na yun, yayakapin ko sya. At sasabihin ko sa kanya ‘you may not understand this now… but soon you will. Stay strong.’”
“Alam ko maraming dumadaan sa ganitong sitwasyon. Yung sakit na hindi mo masabi sa iba, pero araw araw mong dinadala.”
“Kaya kung ikaw to, yung gusto mo na sumuko sa pangarap mo, napapagod, nahihiya, natatagalan..”
He ended his post by saying, “Please don't give up.”
“May dahilan kung bakit mo to pinagdadaanan. And one day, it will all make sense.”
“I was silently fighting my inner battles back then.. pero araw araw, lumalaban ako.”
In an exclusive interview with The Summit Express, Bernardo said that he is currently working and never gave up in “soaring high” to achieve his childhood dream.
“Never ako bumitaw sa pangarap ko dahil childhood dream ko ang pagpipiloto,” he said.
“Regardless, kahit sinubok ako ng buhay sa pag-abot ng pangarap ko, I remain grounded and I did everything with a deep purpose, mai-ahon ko yung parents and family ko sa hirap at mabigyan sila ng maayos at maginhawang buhay.”
He is currently working as a pilot in a renowned international airline.
“Naibigay ko ang maginhawa at kumportableng buhay sa parents at mga kapatid ko. At ngayon may sarili na ko pamilya at anak, never ko naimagine na maibibigay ko ang magaan at kumportableng buhay para sa kanila matapos lahat ng mga pinagdaanan ko sa pagkuha ng aking pangarap,” he said.
Many netizens resonated with the story and expressed their support. For some, his story reflects the harsh reality of many Filipinos who tirelessly chase their dreams amid financial and emotional hardship.
Congratulations, Pilot Genesis!
— Noel Ed Richards, The Summit Express