Catherine Joy Mendoza


In the words of Stephen Hawking: “To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit.”

For 30 years, the University of the Philippines Astronomical Society (UP AstroSoc) has been steadfast in advancing the field of astronomy among Filipino students and the general public. To further this mission, UP AstroSoc will be celebrating this year’s National Astronomy Week (NAW) in a hybrid setup from February 1 to 18. During NAW, UP AstroSoc hosts a series of enriching and worthwhile events anchored to promoting space education and the organization itself.

For this year’s celebration, PAGASA’s assigned theme, “Breaking Barriers in Philippine Astronomy: Overcoming Adversity for a Better and Sustainable Development,” intertwines with UP AstroSoc’s, “Astrobiology: Our Place in the Universe.” We will then delve into the rich history of diverse research, discoveries, inquiries, and explorations linked to the search for life beyond our planet. Alongside this, we hope to appreciate and reflect on how these can sustainably serve and improve the lives of our people. An attempt to extend the limit of what we know about our earthly lives, a possibility to leap forward to progress for humankind!

So, whether you’re a student, educator, or astronomy enthusiast, there is surely a spot for you in NAW 2023—the same way we humans all have a place, albeit small, in this vast universe.

Brush up on your knowledge of astronomy, demonstrate your ingenuity, and compete with fellow high school students nationwide! For the first time since the pandemic, Big Bang and Take-Off will be returning on-site on February 18 at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.

Big Bang is a single-day astronomy-themed quiz show open to all bona fide high school students across the Philippines. Participants will compete to victory in teams of three by showcasing their knowledge of space science. The elimination round will be from 9:30 to 11 AM, whereas the final round will take place from 1 to 3 PM.

Moreover, UP AstroSoc will finally be holding Take-Off, a single-day water-rocket-making and -launching competition open to all bona fide high school students nationwide. Participants will be in teams of two, each competing in one of the two categories: Accuracy, and Distance. Rocket-making will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 AM while Rocket-launching will be conducted from 1 to 3 PM.

High school teachers can elevate their science communication and instructional skills to the next level through Parallax, a teachers' webinar workshop. This event will be held via Zoom on February 11 from 1:30 to 4:30 PM.

If you’re neither a student nor a teacher, worry not! UP AstroSoc will be relaunching two more events open to the public.

Unleash your photography skills and capture the cosmos with Star Trails, an astrophotography contest open to everyone—amateurs and hobbyists alike! Following UP AstroSoc’s chosen theme for NAW 2023, “Astrobiology: Our Place in the Universe,” this event will take place on the organization’s official Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram from February 1 to 18.

If you want to test your astronomical knowledge and gain fascinating information about Earth, space, and everything in between, Orionids may be for you! This astronomy-themed trivia quiz game is open to the public and will be held from February 13 to 15 on UP AstroSoc’s Facebook page.

Admission fees for Big Bang and Take-Off are Php 500 per team and PHP 400 per team, respectively, while the other events are free-of-charge. For more details on our events, check out our official handbook: https://tinyurl.com/UPAstroSocNAW2023Handbook. Additionally, you may register for the said events at https://tinyurl.com/UPAstroSocNAW2023.

Support us through our official NAW 2023 merchandise! We have button pins, lanyards, mousepads, reversible bucket hats, round foldable fans, socks, stickers, and tote bags up for grabs. Get yours now at https://tinyurl.com/UPAstroSocNAW2023Merch!

Tune in for more information and updates on our Facebook (UP Astronomical Society), Twitter (@upastrosoc), and Instagram (@upastrosociety). See you there!

Sponsored by...

Brownhaus Manila and Strip Manila 
Celestron
Cutting Edge
DOST-FPRDI
Motivo
Oof! Artisanal Coffee
Philippine Astronomical Society 
Philippine Space Agency
Stamina4Space
Sweet Soul PH

In partnership with...

DLSU-SLIFE-Economics Organization
EARTH-UST
Green Astronomical Society
IAU Astronomical Society
La Salle Computer Society
Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers - Mapúa University Student Chapter
Physics Society Adamson University
Resin Galooore PH
UP Vector
YACAP South Luzon Chapter

With the cooperation of...

ASHRAE - Mapúa University Student Branch
RTU DOST Scholars' Association
University of San Carlos - Carolinian Economics Society
UPLB Mathematical Sciences Society
YACAP Visayas Chapter

Special thanks to...

Agham Youth PUP
FranchiseManila.com
Hobby Crate
Urban Chick Resto
UP STRATOS
YACAP Mindanao Chapter

Our official media partners...

Ang Pahayagang Plaridel
BigMedia PH
Explained PH
IKOT.PH
Now You Know PH
Philippine Collegian
The Animo
Wazzup Pilipinas