People’s first impression on me usually consists of the common varsity player stereotype - a ball head, a person who only cares about his sports and neglects his studies.

I do not know why people think of players that way, but my parents always taught me to do my best in everything I do, to try out different things and not let any opportunity pass.  And so I tried to excel in my school. I did my best in the classroom, in the Publication Club, and though some people might find surprising, in Math and in Science. But this thing about Math and Science is different from the others.

Basketballs are actually not the only circular objects I’m interested in.  I remember this book I’ve read months ago about the movement of galaxies and the mathematical equations behind it. There was also this journal on about matter and anti-matter, particle annihilation, and the existence of z-particles that I really found fascinating. It always beguiles me how the whole universe can be explained by the movement of the tiniest particles in existence that man has discovered.  This may sound cliché, but truth is everything around us can be fully understood if taken from the view of math and science.  Because of this truth, my fascination for Math and Science arose.  With Math and Science, this thirst for knowledge grew and deepened. I became more interested with these subjects.  Math, which was always thought to be complicated and difficult, soon became simple when I understood the concepts.  It’s just really entertaining how complex to look at first, can actually be simplified. 

Science became interesting for me as it unveiled the different aspects of the world and the things co-existing in it.  This inclination for Science and Math eventually helped me join in contests as a representative of our school. I joined competitions such as MTAP, Bio-Minds, PISIKAalaman, and the Chemistry Olympics.  Fortunately, though I was not able to bring home the bacon, I still managed to get a spot in the places and more or less bring honor to my beloved school. Those experiences were incredible, not only because of the challenges, but also for the opportunity to share my fascination with other enthusiasts.

Being able to join in contests like these and having been exposed to a world of Science and Math, I would sometimes imagine myself as a scientist in the future, perhaps as a physicist.  For me, physics is like a root in the tree of science.  Its principles are also seen firsthand in daily situations. Moreover, it’s a science that is hands-on in nature. Meaning, physics is not all about lengthy computations, but it’s really about seeing the world in a different perspective and unveiling the reasons and mysteries behind its phenomenon.  Being able to explain things for me is a very fulfilling thing to achieve.  I know that not everything in this world can be explained. I know that man has so much yet to learn. But I also know that no matter what happens, man will never stop finding the answers, and I will never stop trying to satisfy my thirst for knowledge. Though it will never be, I know that trying to do this is better than pretending to be blind and not take importance of the things and phenomenon God had always wanted us to think outside the box.

(Video from youtube.com; posted by fortunewell 04.04.07)

[Note: This article was written by one of the finalists for the Iglesia Science and Technology Award for 2010 at Notre Dame of Manila.]