Between Stars and Sand: The Philippines’ Reach for the Cosmos

The Philippines, Space, and National Pride

While interviewing a teacher for my documentary ‘An American Backslider in the Philippines’, I asked him about his vision for the nation’s future. Without hesitation, he spoke of a dream for a more technologically advanced, diverse Philippines—one that strides boldly into the 21st century. You can find echoes of this ambition in local blogs, literature, and the growing library of Filipino sci-fi novels. One such voice is Renato Tranquilino, a science fiction writer whose works imagine how a space industry might reshape the Philippines.

This fascination with space isn’t new for Filipinos. In fact, a 1958 film titled Zarex, directed by Richard Abelardo, speculated about the country’s first lunar landing, offering a Filipino twist on Jules Verne's From the Earth to the Moon. Tracking down a copy of this film has proved elusive—it isn’t readily available on YouTube—but its legacy persists as a testament to early Filipino dreams of space exploration.

Thinking about these pioneering visions made me reflect on the actual state of space development in the Philippines. Though progress has been slow, due to economic limitations and the need for collaboration with other nations, the country has taken significant steps forward.

The Manila Observatory, founded back in 1897, was an early sign of the Philippines’ interest in the skies. But it wasn’t until 1997, when the nation joined the United Nations’ Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, that real momentum began to build. And it was only recently, in 2019, that the Philippine Space Agency was officially established under President Duterte’s signing of the Philippine Space Act.

For now, the agency focuses on practical needs—satellite launches for weather monitoring and disaster preparedness. Although several Filipinos, like NASA scientist Angelina Castro-Kelly, have made names for themselves in international space projects, the Philippines is still awaiting its first homegrown astronaut.

Enter Daniel Angelo Roque, better known as Chino Roque, who was selected from over 28,000 hopefuls to be the first Filipino in space. When he takes off, he intends to bring with him a Philippine flag, a family photo, and a rosary—symbols deeply rooted in his heritage and faith.

This choice struck me as thought-provoking. The Philippines, a predominantly Catholic country, has a history with the Church that is, at times, complicated. While the Church has influenced culture and values, it also contributed to stalling scientific advancement centuries ago by punishing figures like Galileo for proposing revolutionary ideas.

Catholicism is the religion of the conquerors. It arrived via Spanish colonialism, which sought to replace indigenous beliefs, often with violence. This makes me wonder—what else might Chino carry into space as a symbol, something that is both appropriate but also the resilience and spirit of the Filipino people?

Perhaps a spear symbolizing Lapu-Lapu, the Filipino hero who defeated Magellan and delayed Spanish conquest by 40 years? Then again, bringing a sharp object into space might not be wise! Or maybe a copy of the Pope’s apology to Galileo? A reminder of the costs of suppressing knowledge?

Ultimately, it’s not my place to decide. I am not a Filipino. So, for those in the Filipino humanist and skeptic communities: what should Chino Roque bring with him, something that truly honors the first Filipino journey into space?

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