The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) internationally launched ‘Si Tala at ang Kanyang Lakbay Kalawakan!’ or ‘Tala and Her Journey to Space!’ during the 64th session of the Legal SubCommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (LSC-UN COPUOS) in Vienna, Austria. The children’s book introduces the United Nations treaties on outer space and key concepts in space diplomacy through the cosmic adventures of Tala, a young Filipino astronaut.
Participants from 18 countries with delegates from the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), Permanent Missions in Vienna, and space agencies joined the launch during a side event of the session on 14 May 2025.
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations in Vienna H.E. Evangelina Lourdes A. Bernas delivers the opening remarks. Photo courtesy of UNOOSA.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations in Vienna H.E. Evangelina Lourdes A. Bernas commended the initiative as a manifestation of the Philippines’ strong commitment to promoting the responsible use of outer space and engaging youth in discussions about space. She hopes that by introducing space concepts at an early age, it could inspire future generations of space diplomats, space scientists, policymakers, and space explorers.
PhilSA Director General Dr. Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr. shares personal anecdotes on how the story of Tala was conceptualized. Photo courtesy of UNOOSA.
PhilSA Director General Dr. Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr. expressed gratitude to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) for providing a platform to globally showcase the book. Director General Marciano recounted how he wanted to address the lack of children’s literature on space treaties and principles of outer space exploration, which led to the development of the book. “(…) at its heart, the ‘Tala’ book carries a message of hope, wonder, and of the importance of the peaceful, responsible, and sustainable spacefaring. It reminds us the need to care for our precious planet and space environment through cooperation, education, awareness, and purposeful engagement with young people,“ Dr. Marciano said.
UNOOSA Director Aarti Holla-Maini expresses her appreciation to the Philippines for organizing the side-event. Photo courtesy of UNOOSA.
UNOOSA Director Aarti Holla-Maini underscored the importance of STEM education, multilingualism, and youth engagement in shaping the future of space exploration. The collaboration between PhilSA and UNOOSA ensures that Tala’s story will reach a global audience, reinforcing the universality of space law and diplomacy. Director Holla-Maini also announced plans to translate the book into all six official UN languages—Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish—with potential additional translations in the future.
PhilSA Space Policy and International Cooperation Bureau Director Atty. Noelle Riza Castillo delivers the closing remarks. Photo courtesy of UNOOSA.
Concluding the side event, PhilSA Space Policy and International Cooperation Bureau Director Atty. Noelle Riza Castillo shared how this initiative is part of the Philippines’ role in advancing space policy and fostering international cooperation. She expressed hope that Si Tala at ang Kanyang Lakbay Kalawakan! would encourage children to embrace the principles of the Outer Space treaties and contribute to a safe and sustainable space environment.
The international launch of the children’s book supports PhilSA’s goal of showcasing and promoting the book to a broader international audience, reflective of the MOU signed between UNOOSA and PhilSA in 2021, which identified joint public awareness and educational outreach initiatives, as well as the expansion of mutual collaboration on activities related to international space law, as key areas of cooperation.
Originally written in Filipino then translated into English, ‘Si Tala at ang Kanyang Lakbay Kalawakan! represents the aspiration to make space accessible for all. It reflects the Philippines’ commitment to education, innovation, and fostering international collaboration in space science.
Photo courtesy of UNOOSA.