IYA 2009 Regional Olympiad Schedules

[Region;Date of Olympiad; DepEd Focal Person or Coordinator;Contact Number; Location; Test Administrator

Region 3
Jan 21;Rose Luna;(045)9613219;Teacher Center San Fernando Pampanga;
Rhodora Gonzalez,UP Engineering

Region 4A;
Jan 15; Marissa; 09274308661;Cainta National High School;
Ceril Maramag,Sc Edu Spe, UP-NISMED

Region 4B;
Jan 15; Jeanette Martinez; -- ; Holy Infant Academy, Calapan Mindoro;
Rochelle Derilo,Member, UP Astro Soc

Region 5;
Jan 22; Leticia Bustamante;09189347307; DepED RO Legaspi City;
Rochelle Derilo, Member, UP Astro Soc

Region 6;
Jan 15; Verano; DepED RO Iloilo City;
Evelyn Josue,Sc Edu Spe, UP-NISMED

Region 7;
Jan 21; Jocelyn Canto;09173222460; Applied Nutrition Center Banilad, Cebu;
Evelyn Josue, Sc Edu Spe, UP-NISMED

Region 9;
Jan 15; Mila Arao; -- ; DepEd RO Pagadian City;
Amelia Punzalan,Sc Edu Spe, UP-NISMED

Region 10;
-- ;Rose Cang; -- ; DepED RO Cagayan De Oro;
--

Region 11;
Jan 15; Luzminda Honor; -- ;DepEd RO Davao City;
Dr. Aida Yap,Sc Edu Spe, UP-NISMED

Region 12;
Jan 15; Ruth Estacio; -- ;National Education Academy Building, General Santos City;
Frederick Gabriana, Member, IYA2009 Olympiad Com

NCR;
Jan 15; Juanita Ferido; -- ;Quezon City Science High School;
Eligio Obille Jr./Ivy Mejia,
Sc Edu Spe, UP-NISMED

Flashback - The Philippine scene in IYA 2009

Here are just a few highlights of what transpired in the Philippines for the IYA 2009 that I compiled from different posts of Astronomical organizations in the Philippines:

The opening ceremony of IYA 2009 Philippine celebration was held on February 16 2009 at the SM Mall of Asia, coinciding with the National Astronomy week.

• Approval of the RTU Diploma in Astronomy. The first Astronomy program to be offered via Distance Learning Education (DLE).
  
• Pauline Pearl Divinagracia, a student at the Rizal Technological University (RTU) taking up BS
  Astronomy Technology, has been chosen to represent the Philippines at
  the opening ceremonies of the International Year of Astronomy 2009
  (IYA2009) in Paris, France on January 15-16, 2009.
• Astronomical League of the Philippines (ALP) uploaded a page for the RTU Department of Astronomy  in the ALP website
• ALP began the Philippine Journal of Astronomy, the first astronomical journal in the Philippines. The first issue was released in March and the second in June.
  
•  The 1st Philippine Astronomical Convention. The PAC was held at RTU.
• Jan 26, 2009 - Partial Solar Eclipse (which was mistakenly reported by the media as an annular solar eclipse). ALP and Sidewalk Astronomers - Philippines observed successfully at the Manila Bay. Cloudy weather conditions for Visayas and Mindanao.
• IYA-PAS Educational Campus Tour. Over 1000 Philippine Science High School students and faculty members attending Engr. Dacanay's lecture.
• The first Philippine Astronomical Society's PASilip. The viewing of the moon at the Manila Observatory roofdeck on February 1.
• ALP's establishment of the Philippine Sunspot Number Program.
• The Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology Astronomical Society Activities:
  Lantaw Luna: View the Moon on Feb 11
•  The Astronomical League of the Philippines and the Rizal Technological University signed a historic Memorandum of Agreement which will bolster each other's activities and projects, specifically in formal astronomy education.
• The 3rd Philippine Messier Marathon on March 28, 2009 at the dark skies of Caliraya, Laguna.
• 100 Hours of Astronomy. A four day activity from April 2-4.
• Dr. Armando Lee or 'Doc Lee' - first Philippine produced MS Astronomy graduate.
• Ordinary people came to enjoy IYA such as the following:
• "Dinumog kami ng mga street children d2 sa Malibay overpass! Ang saya d2!" - Doc Lee
• 100HA in the Seven Suites Hotel Observatory in Antipolo. A group of about 60
  Dumagats came (The first time these natives saw a telescope). Alaga sila ng isang NGO based in Rizal Province.
• The BusinessMirror released an article about the 100 Hours of Astronomy entitled, "Knowledge comes through the telescope"
• Partial Solar Eclipse of 2009. ALP and UP AstroSoc sent teams to China to Observe totality
  
• Integration of Astronomy in the Rizal and History courses through a book by Prof. Jose Fadul.
• Establishment of a Philippine Astronomy Social Network.
• Inclusion of the Philippine Journal of Astronomy in the SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System (SAO/NASA ADS).
• IYA 2009 National Astronomy Olympiad, organized by the IYA 2009 NOC in cooperation with UP NISMED
• ALP page on Facebook :)
• International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) in Taiwan. The Philippines bagged its 1st silver (Lance Co Ting Keh of PSHS). The other awards were 2 bronze (Ralph Ugalino and Gio Elegado of the PSHS-main and Bicol, respectively), best presentation for the international team field investigation (Emmanuel Codillo of Catanduanes National HS).
• StarPeace - Indonesia and Philippines: construction of peace bridge on South China sea (Dec 4-5), public viewing and general live webcasting with StarPeace ambassadors Dr. Armando Lee and Avivah Yamani 
• Galilean Nights - An extension of 100 HA on Dec 22-24
  
• Beauty without Borders - telescope viewing sessions in Antipolo
  

These are just some of the few activities in the Philippines conducted in observance of the IYA. Astronomy related orgs have many other activities that transpired during the duration of the year. I hope we can continue to promote Astronomy in the country beyond the celebration of IYA 2009.

Clear Skies for 2010!

Update on IYA 2009 National Olympiad

The IYA 2009 National Olympiad was put on hold after the calamities brought about by the continuous typhoons that hit the Philippines. This 2010, the Olympiad will push through. The regional elimination is scheduled on January 15. There are still regions with no participants, and so they are given the chance to register until January 8. The DepEd and the IYA-NOC are still working on the venues for the event.

Interested applicants can avail of the registration form via the IYA Philippines website