[Trending Now] INSPIRING STORY of A Filipina Pilot Who Gave Her Life To Save Hundreds of Families! Read Her Story Here!

Living her dream as one of only six women combat  pilots in the Philippine Air Force, Mary Grace Baloyo couldn't have asked for more. She was also set to marry her boyfriend, a helicopter pilot, Ditto Nestor in 1997 with a wonderful future ahead of them. Little did this couple know, a tragic event was on its way to destroy it.

On March 26 2001, a plot-twist to a supposedly story for one of the books came to Baloyo's life as she and her co-pilot Capt. Ben Nasayco were maneuvering an OV-10 reconnaissance and bomber aircraft above Mabalacat, Pampanga. As the two were conducting a proficiency flight from their home base at Sangley Point in Cavite to Clark. 

Trouble began to settle in as they were about to make their final approach to the runway.

The engine slowly failed and the two called for rescue to the nearest PAF tower at Clark International Airport wherein their plane was supposed to land at 20 but soon it got out of their control.

"Eject! Eject! Eject!"

This was the last instruction from Nasayao to Mary Grace and yet she didn't listen to it. Their plane was about to crash and hit several residential subdivisions northwest of Clark Field.

As time continued to run out, Baloyo made a choice to stay and steered their plane away from the residential and spared almost 200 families unaware of the tragedy they almost suffered. 

The aircraft crashed in a 240-square-meter vacant lot at Fil-Homes in Barangay Mabiga at 3:48 pm.

Mary Grace died at the instant at age 26.

The heroic pilot fondly called as "Amazing Grace" by her compatriots might have faced a bitter end but Baloyo was given the full military honors at the Bacolod Memorial Park in her wake.

Mary Grace Baloyo finished her high school in 1991 at the St. Scholastica's Academy in Bacolod and gained a degree in Bachelor of Science in Airline Management form the Technical Institute of Cebu. 

With her courageous leadership, Baloyo received various military merit medals, with eight Gold Cross medals, and two Distinguished Aviation Cross medals.

During former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's term, Mary Grace was honored with a Medal of Valor and was promoted to Captain.

The sacrifice made by "Amazing Grace" served as a legacy that remains within the hearts of the people she saved and innate the Filipinos she inspires by her story of sacrifice. 

Source: TrendingNewsPortal