Who would have ever thought that this simple ‘farm’ girl would grow up conquering two places. This is flight attendant Yana Aduana, a beauty queen of the sky and of the earth.
Yllana “Yana” Aduana is the middle among 3 siblings who grew up enjoying the simple life in the province. Yana spent most of her childhood in Siniloan, Laguna. While most of the kids these days are exposed to gadgets and the virtual world, Yana was exposed to a very simple and provincial lifestyle. She would play in the palayan everyday.
Yana’s provincial life has made her more attached to a natural environment, people, and of course animals. She even had 11 dogs in the house of her lola.
However, little did people know that that little girl playing in the palayan had big dreams. Armed with her flight attendant dreams and goals in life, Yana then began facing the real world. She however ended up taking a pre-med course in college. After graduation, Yana took a job as a medical technologist. Later on, she decided to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a flight attendant.
Soon, Yana will walk on another runway as she competes for the Miss Philippines Earth 2021 title. Yes this flight attendant beauty queen will soon fly higher.
However, Yana is more than a flight attendant beauty queen. She is also an entrepreneur with her own skin care product line! Talk about one multi-faceted individual. Anyway, it is time to get to know Yana Aduana, our beauty queen of the sky and of the earth.
How was your growing up years in the province? Tell us more about your family and your life in the province.
Yana: I spent most of my summertime playing in the ricefields and paddies of Siniloan, Laguna, my hometown. My childhood friends and I would always cross the long pilapils in our ricefield under the hot afternoon sun and we would often fall in the muds! We would always see the hardworking native farmers plant rice under the afternoon sun and we would always greet them! Being exposed to that kind of situation as young as I was back then led me to realize the great importance of being kind to farmers and actually to all the people and to value the importance of hardwork.
Now, how did you ever dream of becoming a flight attendant when you were a child? What was your reaction when you would see airplanes?
Yana: Ever since I was young, I have always dreamed of becoming a Flight Attendant. But like normal kids, sometimes we just outgrow our dreams but I just know that it has always been imprinted within me. I just know that that dream has been within me all these years especially when I board the aircrafts when we travelled, I would always look up to those long-legged Flight Attendants and wish I was one also. So I became one!
However, you became a med tech. Why did you choose this course over tourism or even nursing?
Yana: It’s actually a funny story but it’s my high school bestfriend that influenced me to take a medical course. I told her I wanted to take up Tourism but she told me I truly excel in Science and that a medical course would fit me perfectly! Then I realized months after that I actually wanted to pursue a medical course as having a medical background and being in the medical field will always be a good choice because not only will I get to help my family with my knowledge but also the community. Then from there, I aced my pre- med years, became a dean’s lister, graduated on time, and took the Board Exam right after I graduated and passed!
Was staying as a med tech your second option incase your flight attendant goal did not become a reality?
Yana: After I passed the Boards, I worked in a laboratory and practiced my profession. Then after a few months, I just felt that something is just missing. I remembered my childhood dream of becoming an FA. Then opportunity presented itself in an instant! when I saw that there is an Open Day Hiring for PAL Express, I instantly grabbed the opportunity and just tried. I got accepted out of more than 800 applicants after my first try! So I did not take it for granted!
How long have you been flying now? How are you loving every moment?
Yana: I started flying for PAL Express around December 2019 but due to the COVID-19 situation, PAL Ex had to retrench and my batch was one of those who got laid off. Our contract ended in August of 2020. Those were the happiest working moments of my life; wearing my uniform, carrying my trolley around, boarding the aircraft, having the privilege to travel around our beautiful Philippines, and having to meet a lot of people of different culture and values inflight.
As a flight attendant, what was your most memorable flight? Or maybe most memorable flights?
Yana: I actually have a lot of memorable flights! However, I feel like the most memorable one was when we encountered an irate foreign passenger inflight requesting for a special meal that he did not pre-order when he booked a ticket. He was on the Premium Economy row and I was the R1 on that flight so I was in charge of that situation. He was actually already making a scene while I was doing my best to calm him down and provide him all the options that we can give. It was a long discussion that we had that time! But in the end, I was able to calm him down and he even said thank you when we landed. I actually cried after that flight when we got back to the lounge! My L1 that time also gave me a commendation certificate and he said to me, that’s the least he can do for how I handled the situation!
Has being a flight attendant changed your life?
Yana: Being a Flight Attendant did have a huge impact in my life. I met a lot of good friends during our training and I am proud to say that up until now, we’re still very close and they’re actually guiding me now in my Miss Philippines Earth journey! We are more than just “batchies” we’re more like family. Shoutout to my stress relieverisms!! Sam, Des, Nick, and Cole!
Has joining a beauty pageant been a dream too?
Yana: To be honest, with the provincial and the humble lifestyle that I had growing up, I never would have thought that I would qualify for something as big as pageants so it never occurred to me before!
Why Miss Earth? Why not Bb Pilipinas or Miss Universe Philippines? Seems like you still qualify for all.
Yana: A lot of people have been tapping & asking me before to join pageants already but I just thought that through my goodwill and the little things that I do, I thought I was already contributing enough. But when the pandemic happened, I realized that there’s something more that I can actually do. Then when I started thinking of joining a pageant, I just truly thought to myself that the first one I wanna be joining in is something that is very close to my heart and a pageant that completely represents me and my vision. Then I saw the screening for Miss Philippines Earth, and right at that moment, I knew that that is the one. Being someone who cares so much for the nature and the environment, a health and wellness conscious, and has a huge genuine love for people, plants, and animals, I knew in an instant that this is what I wanna be joining in.
As a Ms. Earth candidate, what are your advocacies?
Yana: As an official Miss Philippines Earth delegate, I advocate for a zero waste, sustainable living that aims to reduce the use of plastic, disposables, and market products that we can just do at home. I have always been a firm believer of the saying “prevention is better than cure” and like the saying goes, waste prevention in the first cycle is always a much more viable option than waste clean up.
Wait, you are an entrepreneur too and I understand you have a skin care line. Tell us more about this.
Yana: I started my skincare business way back 2018 with a vision of helping people with their skin problems and letting them realize that ALL NATURAL products are so much better than chemical products in the market not only for us but also for the environment and the animals. I personally formulate and mix the products myself with only 100% all natural ingredients! We also ship out completely PLASTIC-FREE and we make sure to schedule a pick up once a week only in bulk so we can help reduce the carbon emission.
So you’re a flight attendant, a beauty queen, and an entrepreneur all at the same time. How do you get to balance these?
Yana: I actually like to believe that I am the girl who is a little bit of many things. But I have always taught myself how to balance and manage my time. When you love the things you do, you will never get tired even if you do it all at once. Or even if you get tired, you can still smile through it all. It’s more than just about time management; it’s about the love and the passion you have towards the things that you do that can make it happen.
How do you unwind and relax?
Yana: I play with my 2 dogs named Yoko and Yoki. They bring out the endorphins and all the happy hormones in me!! I also like to stare at our plants in our garden as we have plenty of plants since my mom and dad are certified plantarents! Short for plant parents!
What makes you happy?
Yana: Honestly, I am just a very positive person and everything just makes me happy. But whenever I am in my hometown and I get to reconnect again with the trees, plants, and my relatives after a whole week of working in the Metro, it revitalizes my soul!
What makes you cry?
Yana: It honestly makes me bothered and cry when I see a person treat someone lowly because that person thinks so highly of himself/ herself. Everyone of us is just equal regardless of what social standing we are in and no person deserves to be treated less than what she or he deserves.
Who is your greatest idol?
Yana: Ever since I was young, I have always had this huge crush on Leonardo DiCaprio and who wouldn’t, right!? Such a great actor with great movies! And a lot of my friends know that I am a die-hard fan of Leo! Then the most amusing thing happened just a few years ago when I found out that he is actually an active environmentalist as well fighting for the entire ecosystem’s rights! That made me even idolize him more! More crush points indeed!
What is your message to all our cabin crew aspirants who want to be in your shoes one day?
Yana: My message would have to be, everyone of us has our own perfect timing and spotlight, so always believe in yourself and be positive. Positivity truly goes a long way.
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