Soulprints - Amyline Quien Ching

Towards a better Filipino youth

Perhaps two of the many stereotypes that contribute to the disintegration of Philippine society is the belief that young Filipinos do not know enough, have not lived long enough, and have not experienced enough to understand and act on the issues that pervade the country; and the notion that the Filipinos belong to the inferior race.
It took a five-day competition to change a perception that has been ingrained for so many years. More than prizes and trophies, Filipino delegates at the 2004 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) gained a new perspective on themselves and of their being Filipinos.
Armed with only their passion for science and their will to do their country proud, 10 young scientists went on to prove to the world and most especially to themselves that neither age nor nationality nor the fact that the country is lagging behind in science and engineering programs could stand in the way of their triumph in the international arena.

Filipinos at their best
With more than 1,200 young scientists from across 40 countries competing for several awards in the prestigious event, to win is something that one hopes for but never expects. For some, to compete in the fair is winning in itself as only a few are given such an opportunity.
“I never really expected to win in the national level, let alone in the international level. To represent the country is already an honor. But of course, I will try my best and do my country proud,” says Joy Anne Aquino before she flew to Oregon with the other delegates. Joy Anne certainly did not disappoint those who believed in her. Her project, which tackles the use of the venom of a sea snake as an anti-microbial agent, won fourth place Grand Award for Medicine and Health and was adjudged first place by the American Veterinary Association.
Joining her at the podium were the two team delegates who scored double victories. The Manila Science High School team, composed of Anne Margrette Velasquez, Maria Katrina Rivera, and Alan Ray Gonzales claimed the Third Grand Award in the Team category for their project that attempts to develop an electrode from green mussels. Representatives from the Philippine Science High School, Trina Napasindayao, Melanie Melchor and Jayson Reggie Obos also gave foreign teams a run for their money, grabbing the Fourth Place Grand Award for the Team category.
Yet more than the money and the trophies, the delegates feel that it is the wealth of experience and lessons learned that they would carry with them throughout their lives.
“Competing in an international competition is something that I have never done before. I have learned a lot from the trip. I changed a lot. I gained confidence in myself, in my abilities. This is truly something that could really affect a person’s life,” discloses Joy Anne.

The Filipino youth can
But if there is one lesson that they have learned in ISEF that would play a pivotal role in their lives, it is the realization that Filipinos can become the best.
“It made me proud to represent the country. I was so happy especially when a foreigner congratulated me and said that our country has a good science program. It really changed my life and my perspective. Now, I could finally say that I am indeed proud to be a Filipino,” relates Anna Katrina Bautista, a representative in the individual category.
Having the notion that western countries are always superior in the areas of science and technology, it surprised most of them when they found out that some of the contestants from foreign countries could not even explain how their project works or what a protein is, which is one of the basic concepts in chemistry and biology.
“Seeing all those students there, we really didn’t believe that we would have a chance. mean, we are third or fourth to the last in the world in terms of science subjects. I also have this perception before that if you are an American or any nationality, superior ka. And yet we won. It was only then that I realized that being the last in the world does not mean that we would always be last. May ibubuga din pala tayo…we can compete with the best in the world. Even if we don’t have that much resources, we can improve ourselves. We can compete and even win when given the chance. We can show these people that we can be the first,” enthuses Anne Margrette.

Clamoring for Reforms
Having said thus, they still feel that there is much to do and improve in the way Science programs is being implemented. Most of them believe that scientific research projects should be encourages in all science classes. Science programs like those in Science schools like Manila Science and Philippine Science should also be implemented in all private and public high schools.
However, having no such programs in school should hinder students from their goals of going to ISEF. Joy Anne, who comes from E. Rodriguez Jr., High School in Quezon City, cites her own experience. “I am not from a Science high school but here I am. Coming from an ordinary school did not stop me from fulfilling my dreams. Iba rin ang nagagawa ng sipag at determinasyon. Hindi porke, sa ordinary high school ka lang nangaling, wala ka nang pupuntahan.”
In addition, institutions should also open their doors to young students and allow them free use of their facilities and laboratories.
“Young science students have so many great ideas. They just don’t have the materials and the equipment for testing and experimenting,” points out Jayson. Trina, who will take up Chemical Enginnering this year in DLSU, agrees to this, saying that Filipinos are actually quite commendable since they can do so much with so little. ‘Kahit kaunti lang ang resources, kayang kayang gawing isang malaking bagay. This proves that we can be… we are more than what other people say we are.”
According to Intel officer Arnel Avelina, the improvement of science programs or any educational programs for that matter will largely depend on the support of the different sectors, the government, the industry and the academe. “If only these sectors would collaborate and be partners in developing Science and Technology in the Philippines, there is no doubt that we would be successful.”

Commitment to Service
They are no more than sixteen or seventeen years old, still wobbling their way in this complicated world, but there is nothing juvenile about their project ideas or their commitment to improving their respective communities and helping their country rise from the ashes of disintegration. They have, in fact, exhibited more enthusiasm, dedication and drive to improve the lives of the Filipino people than perhaps some of the prominent leaders in the country.
“All of our projects are focused on the problems of the Philippines because we want to make sure that whatever we discover or create would eventually help the country,” says ISEF team category winner Jayson, who will start his college life in De La Salle University this June.
Their winning project Lumos that explored the effectiveness of an endemic water-borne bacteria, Vibro Fischeri, as a water waste indicator can actually provide the government and other environmental organizations with a simple and inexpensive tool to detect water pollution.
Environmental care may have also been utmost in the minds of the Manila Science High School team as they painstakingly researched on the development of an electrode from green mussels that is capable of detecting the presence of lead in bodies of water. According to the team, they felt that a project like this addresses major concerns in the country. They however stressed that their project is not only tied down to just one application. “Though we showed it to have an environmental application, with further studies, it could also be used in the areas of medicine and health,” discloses Anne, who dreams of becoming a cardiologist.
For these students, serving the country is not only something that they need to do but also something that they want to do as repayment for all the things that the state has provided for them and as an expression of their love for their country.
“I have been a state scholar from high school to college. I think that it is my duty to give all that back in the form of service. Gustong kong paunlarin ang Pilipinas in any way that I can,” pronounces Anna Kristina, something that Mark agrees on, saying that it would be his pleasure to give his time to the country.

A simple act of faith
Never to be underestimated, the youth has a lot to offer if only they are given the opportunity to voice out their ideas and their thoughts. Sometimes, all it takes is something as simple as faith to change a person’s life and save him from leading a fruitless existence.
Indiana Science Fair Director Kathryn Hedges shared the story of one memorable science fair participant, who used to eke out a living selling used cars. He joined the fair and won. The student is now meeting with engineers and is talking about next year’s projects when before the fair, he was sure that he was going to drop out. It is indeed marvelous that one week of joining the fair taught him more lessons in life than that many years he spent in school.
The Intel ISEF competition, more than anything else, provides the youth an avenue to showcase their talents and to explore unknown frontiers.
“The science fair is making great difference in the lives of these students and in the community, in which they live. These communities are beginning to recognize that their children are capable of doing more. They are being given the chance to see beyond where they are now and into the future.”
No prize, no gift could surpass the value that a simple act of faith has, be it a pat on the shoulder or a word of encouragement. Placing one’s trust in the youth’s abilities and in believing that they can succeed regardless of their age, their station in life, or their nationality is more than enough to inspire them to become more than they could possibly be.
The hands that would write the future of the nation belong to the youth. And though their contributions might seem insignificant, their voices could become a force to be reckoned with… all they need is faith.

posted by Amyline Quien Ching @ 12:26 AM