Former GMA reporter Steve Dailisan pursued his dream and is now a pilot

When GMA reporter Steve Dailisan left the network in February 2018, many were surprised. Steve had been making a name for himself and with his signature extro (Steeeeeeve Dailisan), has become one of the most recognizable Kapuso reporters.

“Sa totoo lang, hindi birong iwan ang ‘first love’ mo,” Steve wrote in a recent Facebook post. “Mahirap talikuran ang mga bagay na nakasanayan mo na. Pero kapag dumating ang araw na kakailanganin mong mag-desisyon, pipiliin mo ang bagay na mas magpapatapang sayo.”

It was a year ago when he heard his calling to become a pilot. “When I finished my master’s degree, I asked myself, ‘what’s next?’ Although I think the stars have aligned long before I realized I’m up for a new challenge. In fact I have always been a fan of air crash investigation documentaries. My heart thrills each time I board a plane. From then on, I knew my destination is already charted,” Steve continued.

He left broadcast journalism, pursued flying, and eight months after resigning, Steve is now a pilot.

“On the 8th of October, 2018 I was released to conquer the skies. I can't help but feel emotional as Capt. Shiel Von Dy radioed the tower activating the flight plan intended for my 1st solo flight. My heart throbbed as I was taxiing to enter the active runway.

“Indeed, there's that unexplainable feeling. Magkahalong kaba, takot at excitement. Di matutumbasan ang takot sa daming beses na nalagay sa bingit ng alanganin ang buhay ko noong reporter pa.

But flying a plane requires a lot of preparation, concentration, discipline and hardwork. It’s no easy job because you only have minutes or seconds to respond.

The result can either be catastrophic or a huge success.

“And I landed safely on runway 19,” he narrated his thrilling experience.

Early in his lengthy post, Steve shared that becoming a pilot was never really a childhood dream. “How can you dream of something that is way beyond your reach?

Alam ko kasi na sintayog ng lipad ng eroplano ang presyo. The training cost in aviation remains astronomical in value. My family already struggled sending me to college, how much more to a flight school,” he wrote.

"Being a pilot was never my childhood dream. But our future is not just about our dreams. It’s about fulfilling our mission, our destiny and our life purpose as a whole."

Mahirap man siyang pangarapin noon, hindi naman nangangahulugang hindi mo na siya puwedeng pagsikapang maabot ngayon.”

How inspiring. Cheers to you Steve! — LA, GMA News