So today, I had a career talk for a bunch of life sciences undergrads on why we need to do research.

I started by asking: "Name five Filipino scientist from the top of your head. Go.".

They were silent and after a while, I said:

"Exactly. I hope you understand the problem."

"As a kid who grew up in the province, all around me people were aspiring to be doctors. But no one wanted to be a scientist.

If these narratives aren't available to Filipino kids at a young age, how can we ever hope for them to aspire to be researchers?"

"This dilemma continued til when I was college. In my undergraduate years, I was surrounded by people who were doctors. I couldn't connect to a lot of the people in my course because everyone kept talking about med schools and NMAT scores.

It was a very lonely experience."

"I was discouraged by someone from the guidance office from pursuing research. He said there wasn't an environment for science in this country. I needed to go out if I wanted to be a scientist.

And you know what I did?

I proved him wrong."

"I started looking up where I could apply in the country. There are so many research institutions and graduate programs in the Philippines.

Did you know that UP Manila has a program for ? Or that St. Luke's for Molecular Medicine?

Start searching for what fits you."

"There is so many unrecognized efforts in the country for scientific research.

What you'll realize is what's hindering science in the Philippines isn't just the lack of people/money. It's also because our laws are outdated - making it slower/more expensive to do science here."

"Honestly, there was some truth in what the guidance office person said. It is difficult to do research here and the environment isn't conducive for that.

But I must ask: Why do we have to be okay with that? What can we do to make it better? How can we help?"

"I originally aspired to be a molecular biologist because I watched Jurassic Park and I wanted to create my own T-Rexes.

But after joining Kythe and seeing the faces of these kids and families afflicted by disease and sharing in their heartbreak, how could I turn away?"

"This is all, of course, a simplified timeline. But it was the start of a more intersectoral and multidisciplinary understanding of science and of how important science education and communication is in the country.

There are lives at risk, even if you're not a doctor."

"Since then, I've allowed my science to be informed by my experiences, especially in theater and the arts.

Because, at the end of the day, science and theater are concerned with the same core question: What story do I tell and how do I tell it well?"

"Growing up, we are told stories of Einstein or Marie Curie or of other scientists overseas, and so we think that to be a scientist means to leave or abandon.

But when will people see that it's worth staying? When will we recognize the names we often do not speak of?"

"I'm here because I want to destroy these dichotomies that you grew up with.

It's not medicine vs research, science vs humanities, or here vs abroad.

It's about knowing what you value and what your objective is, and picking the best way to act on it within your circumstances."

"Young or old, I hope you don't kill your ambitions.

Put in the work and give it time. Some barriers are harder to overcome than others, but keep at it.

And if you need a friend and supporter, you already have one in me."

So yeah, those were snippets from my career talk today.

wew

So there's been an outpour of support and love from people for this post and I want to thank all of you!

I'll try to get back to each of the messages individually!!!

Sidenote: Please watch @_blueREPERTORY's finale this March 6-22!!! I'll be acting in it! #NextToNormalblueREP