31/03/2026
๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง๐๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฆ, ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ฑ๐ก๐ข๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ค ๐ญ๐ข ๐๐ข๐ฒ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐๐๐
Around 380 students, teachers, and community members from the mountainous Municipality of Sigay experienced the thrill of science like never before, as the Department of Science and Technology Ilocos Region (DOST Ilocos Region), through DOST Ilocos Sur, partnered with the Philippine Science High School โ Ilocos Region Campus (DOST PSHS-IRC) brought a mobile planetarium and interactive exhibits to the town on March 24โ26, 2026, as part of the Rambak ti Siyensya: Sigay Coffee-Science Festival.
Reaching geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) such as Sigay is no small feat. Yet, the agencyโs mission to bring science closer to the people remained unwavering, turning the steep roads and remote terrain into a gateway for discovery and learning. The event, anchored on the theme โBuilding Smart and Sustainable Communitiesโ and the subtheme โPannangapresiar ti Kape babaen ti Siyensya,โ emphasized the link between local culture, coffee, and scientific innovation.
The three-day festival opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by DOST Ilocos Sur Provincial Director Engr. Jordan L. Abad and Municipal Mayor Hon. Carlo Crisanto P. Peredo. They were joined by Public Schools District Supervisor Dr. Veronica R. Vilog and members of the Sangguniang Bayan of Sigay, symbolizing the shared commitment to education and community development.
The mobile planetarium became the centerpiece of the event, whisking students on an immersive journey through space. Around it, interactive exhibits sparked awe and curiosityโfrom the crackle of a Van de Graaff electrostatic generator, 3D printing demonstrations, chemistry magic tricks, to hands-on exploration with microscopes, human torso models, and entomological displays of butterflies and other insects. Students eagerly tackled puzzle challenges, matching games, and steady-hand exercises, while teachers and community members shared in their excitement, marveling at the joy of discovery.
It was truly fulfilling for the organizers to see the studentsโ faces light up as they engaged with science, their curiosity and amazement reflecting the spark of inspiration that may one day guide them toward STEM-related courses. The enthusiasm was not limited to the young learnersโteachers and other community members also expressed delight and appreciation, demonstrating that scientific wonder transcends age.
Through initiatives like Rambak ti Siyensya, DOST Ilocos Region continues to demonstrate that science is not confined to laboratories or classrooms. Even in the most remote corners of the region, knowledge and innovation can take root, fostering a culture of curiosity, learning, and progress. This festival is more than an eventโit is a symbol of hope and inspiration, showing that with science and technology, smarter and more sustainable communities are within reach.