MANILA, Philippines - An armless Filipina-American pilot openly showed admiration to President Gloria Arroyo during her visit to Malacañang Palace on Monday.

Jessica Cox, a licensed pilot based in Arizona, could not hide her happiness when she came face-to-face with her role model.

She expressed her admiration of the president, who she hailed as a "strong and independent" woman.

“It’s really an honor to meet her. She is definitely an example of a strong, independent woman...She will remain a role model to me," she told reporters.

According to Cox, she admires Arroyo because she managed to continue her job as President despite the numerous issues hurled at her position. 

“The fact that she is a woman, a president, and she is handling all these matters is an encouragement to me. I realize, if she can handle the country as a female and as a strong woman, then I can definitely be a strong, independent woman myself,” Cox shared.

Cox was born without hands but has been involved in activities such as scuba diving with fellow differently-abled persons in the Diveheart Foundation in Illinois under instructor Jim Elliott.

She is also a recognized motivational speaker and is slated to deliver a speech with United States First Lady Michelle Obama on March in celebration of the Women's History month in March.

Smiling wide, Cox even offered to fly President Arroyo if ever the latter visits Arizona.

“If have any opportunity to come to Arizona, I’d love to fly you,” she told the president, who replied with a courteous, "Wonderful.” - report from Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News