THE Sulong Agham children’s book series on Filipino scientists has recently published its newest title, “Isang Puwang sa Kalawakan: Si Gay Jane Perez at ang Diwata-1,” about the life and work of Dr. Gay Jane Perez, director general of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Science’s Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (UPD-CS IESM).
Limited signed copies of the book were distributed at its launch at the lobby of the UPD-CS Administration Building with Perez, author Dr. Eugene Evasco, and illustrator Henrick Dulin.
“Isang Puwang sa Kalawakan” tells the story of Perez as leader of the team behind Diwata-1, the first Philippine microsatellite and the first satellite designed and built by Filipinos.
Evasco, a Palanca Hall of Fame awardee, says the book is about a “makabayang siyentista,” whose goal is not only personal advancement but also the service of the nation. Through Perez’s story, Evasco hopes to inspire Filipino children to pursue their dreams and nurture the next generation of scientists who will carry Filipino science and research beyond the country.
“I wanted to show young people a real Filipino woman reaching great heights,” Evasco said.
Perez described the experience of having a children’s book about her life and work as humbling. “If there’s one adjective, that’s it. I was surprised that this kind of work exists. When I saw the narrative, it was also the first time I saw my own story. It felt strange because when I tell my story, I only tell parts of it — but what Eugene wrote, from my childhood in Naga to NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) to PhilSA, made me appreciate it deeply. I saw it from a different perspective,” she said.
Perez mentioned that, like many children, she considered herself ordinary. She did not dream of becoming a scientist because she didn’t have an idea of one.
“The message I want to share with young readers is that they can also achieve this — and even more. Opportunities came my way, and I was ready to embrace them and take on the challenges. That led me to where I am now,” Perez said.
Early exposure to role models can open more opportunities for women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Perez said.
Growing up, the only female scientists she saw were in the movies, often depicted as “mad scientists” with messy hair. “When I was young, I wished I had more role models — it’s very important. I’m grateful that when I was making decisions about my career, I had the chance to work with people I could look up to, and that inspired me to pursue science,” she recalled.
“‘Isang Puwang sa Kalawakan’ demonstrates how science and technology play an important role in building our country’s future,” former UPD-CS dean and Perez’s friend Dr. Giovanni Tapang said, adding that the book is not merely a celebration of Perez’s achievements but also a recognition that there is space for women in the STEM field.
“We have the capacity to claim that small space, expand it, and bring it out into the open for the benefit of the Philippines,” Tapang said.
The Sulong Agham children’s book series was born out of a collaboration between the UPD-CS, the non-profit organization Supling Sining, Inc. (SSI), and the UPD College of Arts and Letters Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikang Pilipino (UPD-CAL DFPP).
Other titles in this series include “Ang Doktor ng Dagat,” about marine scientist Dr. Deo Florence Onda and written by Dr. Rosario Torres-Yu, and “Ang Natatanging Ngaratngat,” about Filipino biologist Leonard Co and written by Mon Sy.