The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) turned over copies of ‘Si Tala at ang Kanyang Lakbay Kalawakan!’ to the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Del Carmen, Siargao Islands and the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Surigao del Norte on 25 May 2024 for distribution to public schools in the Caraga Administrative Region (CARAGA).
Mayor Alfredo Coro II of Del Carmen, together with Department of Education (DepEd) Siargao Schools Division–Education Program Supervisor Evelyn Coro and Public Schools District Supervisor Marites Petallo, officially received 150 copies of the book from PhilSA Space Policy and International Cooperation Bureau (SPICB) Director Noelle Riza D. Castillo, representing Director General Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr.
(L-R): PhilSA SPICB-Space International Cooperation Division (SICD) Chief Kritzman Caballero, SPICB Director Castillo, Mayor Coro, DepEd Division of Siargao–Education Program Supervisor Coro, and DepEd Division of Siargao–Public Schools District Supervisor Petallo
PhilSA also led a book reading session with Mayor Coro for Numancia Elementary School students that day, to educate them about the United Nations (UN) treaties on outer space.
Mayor Coro shares Tala’s journey space
Forum on #YamangKalawakan and mangrove monitoring
Coinciding with the Del Carmen LGU’s Month of the Ocean celebration, a forum with PhilSA was also conducted on the benefits of Yamang Kalawakan (space resources) and space applications for mangrove monitoring on 24 May 2024 at the Surigao del Norte State University.
The municipality of Del Carmen has the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the country that provides protection against storm surges, food for animals, and carbon storage. PhilSA Space Data Mobilization and Applications Division (SDMAD) Senior Science Research Specialist Noel Jerome Borlongan discussed the mangal floral diversity of Del Carmen Forest and presented the 2023 Nationwide Mangrove Map validation in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
PhilSA SDMAD Senior Science Research Specialist Noel Jerome Borlongan presents the space applications for mangrove monitoring.
Participants of the forum at the Surigao del Norte State University
About ‘Si Tala at ang Kanyang Lakbay Kalawakan!’
‘Si Tala at ang Kanyang Lakbay Kalawakan!’ (Tala and Her Journey to Space!)” is a children’s book, developed and produced by PhilSA, which aims to build appreciation regarding the principle of responsible and sustainable spacefaring to a young audience.
Following the launch in December 2023, PhilSA is conducting book caravan to spread awareness and interest in the field of space policy, law, and diplomacy— inspiring and enabling the youth more to pursue careers in space science and technology.
Get to know the story of Tala, a young Filipina adventurer who journeys into space and learns about the United Nations Treaties relating to outer space. Access the PhilSA website to read the book.