President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has once again declared August 8 to 14 as Philippine Space Week, marking the second annual celebration dedicated to promoting space science and technology. This week-long event aims to boost awareness, honor Filipino contributions to the global space community, and emphasize the benefits of space science and technology applications (SSTA) in everyday life.
This year’s theme, “#YamangKalawakan Tungo sa Maunlad na Kinabukasan ” focuses on the value of space resources and how they can help the Philippines grow and prosper. It’s about making the most of space technology to improve lives and create opportunities.
The Significance of Philippine Space Week
The designation of Philippine Space Week reflects the country’s commitment to advancing space science and technology. Director General Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr. of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) explains, “Space science, technology, and its applications play a vital role in our daily lives. The new knowledge we gain from space exploration, satellites, and the resulting products and services have brought many benefits that we all rely on.”
In December 2022, the Philippine Space Council (PSC), chaired by President Marcos, endorsed the continuation of Philippine Space Week. This initiative aligns with the enactment of the Philippine Space Act on August 8, 2019, and aims to highlight the nation’s growing space capabilities and contributions to global space science and technology.
Events and Activities during Space Week
- Space Technology Exhibits: Visitors saw exciting displays about the latest in space technology. Highlights included models of Philippine satellites, demonstrations of how satellite data is used, and fun facts about space missions.
- Educational Workshops and Seminars: Schools and universities hosted workshops to teach students about space science. Topics included how satellites work and how space technology helps with weather and disaster management.
- New Partnerships: PhilSA announced new agreements with government agencies to use space technology in areas like building roads, farming, and disaster response. These partnerships aim to make better use of satellite data to solve important problems.
- Media Awards: A special ceremony honored media partners who have helped spread the word about space science. Awards were given to journalists and media outlets for their efforts in promoting space knowledge.
- Public Activities: The public enjoyed a variety of space-themed activities, including stargazing events, space art contests, and science fairs. These activities were designed to make learning about space fun and engaging.
- Expert Talks: Experts gave talks and participated in discussions about space science. Topics included how space technology helps with climate change, future space missions, and how space research benefits everyday life.
- Exciting Announcements: PhilSA shared news about upcoming space missions and new research projects. These announcements highlighted the country’s growing role in space science.
The week’s activities reflect the Philippines commitment to advancing its space capabilities and its role in the global space community.
Comments are closed.