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by The Science Net

Path to decarbonisation

Danna Mheliza Mae Budano ||

Have you ever wondered why our country experiences scorching heat all year long, or why storms seem to be packing up more wind and rain compared to the past? Have you ever asked how we can possibly stop it from getting worse?

Increasing temperatures, rising sea levels, intensifying typhoons — these are what we have observed in the past few decades. This alarming trend is expected to continue if the world doesn’t collectively step up its game on reducing the main cause of these events – carbon emissions.

Climate change has existed since the start of Earth’s history, even before humans came to existence. So why exactly is it such a big deal now? Climate change, today, occurs at a much faster rate compared to the past. As a matter of fact, carbon dioxide levels have increased by 40% since pre-industrial times. As carbon emissions increase, temperatures also continue to rise, and at present, many countries have started to suffer the consequences, and unfortunately, the Philippines is second only to Japan in terms of climate risk. 

Burning fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas contribute largely to carbon emissions. Fossil fuels are the largest energy sources in the world, making up a staggering 84% of the world’s energy. In 2019, almost 90% of the Philippines’ energy still comes from different fossil fuels. This is a large hurdle to overcome to reduce carbon emissions. Back in 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the implementation of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017 – 2022, which included climate policies and measures. 

But reality refuses to move the way we want it to. Since 2016, carbon emissions have only increased — the Philippines, for example,  is expected to take the lead in South-East Asia when it comes to increasing carbon emissions. Excessive mining and deforestation are still occurring at frightening rates. 

Despite that, the country took a small step to reducing carbon emissions from fossil fuels by placing a moratorium on new coal power plants. The Philippines is expecting to slowly shift to cleaner energy resources such as wind and solar power. By 2050, it is expected that the Philippines would have the 2nd cleanest energy grid in Southeast Asia. 

Our future is filled with uncertainty; it is impossible to guess  how the Philippines would look even just 10 years into the future. Parts of major coastal cities could be submerged underwater, or we could also become the carbon-friendly country we are striving to be. It all depends on how we, the citizens, and the government choose to act in this agitating situation. 

by The Science Net

Behind the negatives and positives

Danna Mheliza Mae Budano ||

It has been several months since COVID – 19 started plaguing the shores of Eastern Visayas, and since then, we have seen several thousands of cases, with more cases popping up due to hundreds of people being tested everyday. So, how exactly do we test people and determine whether someone has been infected with the COVID-19 virus?

The very first step of testing is the collection of samples. “Samples are collected by trained swabbers from different health facilities across the region. The staff of the COVID lab does not handle sample collection in order to minimize the exposure of the staff to potentially infectious patients,” stated Carlo Chris Apurillo, who is currently working in the Eastern Visayas Regional COVID-19 Testing Center as the Quality Assurance Officer. 

Apurillo explained that the testing center uses the real time Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) protocol where RNA is extracted from a defined volume of the sample from the Universal Transport medium. The Universal Transport medium is used for the collection, storage, and transport of specimen(s) to be tested for viruses. When the RNA has been successfully extracted, the sample would be subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR). During PCR, RNA is reverse transcribed into DNA and then amplified. Afterwards, the RT-PCR collects data from the samples during PCR which are then displayed on a computer. The analysts then interpret the data to determine whether or not viral RNA is present in a sample. Once viral RNA is detected, it is recorded as a positive result. 

People have shown concern whether the test results are accurate or not, and Apurillo assured that the real time RT-PCR test is very accurate in detecting the SARS-COV-2 virus as long as all the necessary precautions have been followed. He added,

“The test has 100% analytic sensitivity and 100% analytic specificity. However, its diagnostic sensitivity is only 70% since it is affected by several factors including timing of sample collection, manner of sample collection, and specimen handling and storage.”

The Eastern Visayas Regional COVID-19 Testing Center processes around 300 – 350 samples per shift, each shift lasting around eight or more hours as analysts tend to work beyond office hours. Apurillo mentioned that he usually works 9 – 10 hours a day. 

When asked whether testing is truly an important step in beating the pandemic, Apurillo emphasized that testing allows us to identify individuals infected with the virus. Determining who are infected with the virus is necessary in order to quarantine and isolate these patients, and thus, preventing the further spread of the virus.

by The Science Net

mRNA vaccines: How does it work?

Neil Dustin Benedict Agner ||

For several months, the world has been anxiously waiting for a sort of relief, a first-line prevention for the menace that plagued us ceaselessly – the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, the long-awaited vaccine has arrived as Pfizer and Moderna announce their COVID-19 vaccine. These vaccines, just days apart, showed high levels of effectiveness against the disease. 

Pfizer announced the preliminary trial results of their Pfizer-BioNTech developed vaccine showing that it was 90% effective. Nine days later, it was followed up with final test results and two months of safety data, showing it was 95% effective. Similarly, Moderna announced that preliminary results for their own vaccine indicated that it was 94.5% effective. 

The two vaccines were developed using messenger RNA (mRNA). However, as this concept is relatively new, it has yet to be approved in vaccines until now. 

So how do mRNA vaccines work?

An mRNA vaccine works differently compared to live attenuated and inactivated vaccines. Instead of injecting the viral protein into the body, the person is injected a blueprint of the viral protein in the form of genetic material – the mRNA. When injected in the body, the cells use the genetic information (in the mRNA) to directly produce the viral protein in the body. 

Simply put, in traditional vaccines, the actual inactive virus, or the proteins it produces, are injected into the body. Conversely, the discovered vaccines inject the instructions for making the proteins the form of mRNA, so that the proteins are created inside the body by its own cells.

In the case of Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines, the instructions in the mRNA injected are used by the cells to build the spike protein that the coronavirus uses to infect other cells. This spike protein is then recognized by the immune system and triggers it to produce antibodies and immune cells.

3D print of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Spike proteins cover the surface of the virus and allow it to enter and infect human cells. Photo Credit: NIH

It will be another agonizing wait even as the vaccine signifies a turning point for the future.

by The Science Net

Literary Piece of the Month

Strong Enough to be Weak

Mark Russell Caranzo ||

If only I could directly connect the LED to the battery just to see it light up, then I would have done it. I was sick and tired of seeing all those scattered resistors, transistors, and jumping wires across the breadboard, and the interconnected lines in the schematic diagram just seemed like messy road systems. It was 1 am and I was about to remove all the electronic components from the breadboard to start all over again—for the twentieth time. As I looked through the dorm hallway, I saw how happy my classmates were upon successfully assembling their circuit. That night, I was desperate. Yet, out of that desperation, I was able to unlock my superpower, which I never knew I had and I never thought I’d use, the power of vulnerability.


Back in elementary, I usually help my classmates solve the volume of the cylinder, determine the theme of a poem, or trace the circulatory pathway. Ever since, I was the one extending help, but never has it occurred to me that someday, I’d be on the receiving end.


Fear, frustration, and shame enveloped my thoughts that night. I was scared that if I approach my classmates, they’d refuse to lend a hand. I was discouraged that I’ve taken down all the writings on the board, yet there were many things that I missed out. However, I was left with no choice but to take a giant leap of faith into a sea of uncertainty. Fortunately, I made the right choice.


The world is filled with vulnerable people. Yet, it is difficult for us to accept our imperfections because we’re afraid to be judged. We are afraid to show our weaknesses because we feel exposed. Thus, we continuously restrict ourselves within our personal spheres, letting no one inside.

But I realized that it’s okay not to know everything. All of us are learning everyday, thus it’s important to leave rooms for mistakes and disappointments. By seeking help, we become mature and knowledgeable enough to understand that we couldn’t be experts at everything and that our shortcomings don’t define our whole existence.

The ability to embrace our vulnerabilities is a special talent that each one of us must possess because we could apply it in almost every aspect of our lives. As Dr. Brene Brown once said, being vulnerable makes us more compassionate to ourselves, more accepting to new perspectives, and more open to change. It revolutionizes the way we build relationships because we see the world in a fresh viewpoint where we have nothing to prove to justify our worth because we are perfectly imperfect the way we are.

This superpower would come handy at the university as I expect that life wouldn’t get any easier. As I enter into an unfamiliar environment, I’d be facing more challenges that would drain me physically, mentally, and emotionally. However, with this superpower, I’m confident that no failure would hold me back from my dreams because I know I’m not alone.

Yet just like any other superpower, embracing our vulnerabilities needs training and practice. The process is difficult, and it takes courage and determination to develop such skill. Thus, we must not pressure ourselves and only take the leap whenever we’re ready.

And at last, it worked. The fulfilment of finally getting the LED light up was priceless. I neither had the power to control electricity nor the power to replicate someone else’s ability, but I had the power of vulnerability. Indeed, if seeking help isn’t a sign of strength, then I’ll forever be proud of being weak.

by The Science Net

Photo Contest Details

Calling all photographers! 📣

Another month means another photo contest, this time with a brand-new theme: Share Your Love. Seeing as Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, it’s the perfect opportunity to express your affection through photographs.

For this month’s photo contest, your photo must be of you “sharing your love” through actions. It could be as simple as a selfie with your loved one holding your gift for them or even just a picture of the gift itself.

Further instructions are detailed below:

1. Submissions must follow the theme.

2. Submissions must not contain any incriminating, offensive, or triggering content.

3. Date of submission must be on or before February 26, 2021.

4. Any late entries will not be accepted.

5. Anyone is free to join, regardless of camera.

If you are interested in joining, please contact either Shawn Elizarde or Kendra Osias.

Have fun, spread love, and good luck to all!

View our Photo of the Month here.

by The Science Net

PSHS implements new admission system, RACE

Crishelle Phoebe Yu ||

Photo Credit: PSHS System Page

Due to the increase of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines preventing physical entrance examinations, the Philippine Science High School System (PSHSS) has implemented a new method of admitting students for the school year 2021-2022. In lieu of the PSHS National Competitive Examination (NCE), the system has decided to carry out a new alternative selection entitled Requirements for Admission, Criteria, and Evaluation or RACE.

The selection procedure shall be done in two stages. The first stage will determine the student’s predicted NCE grade (PNG) based on their final grades in Mathematics and Science in 5th grade. The second stage will be based on the student’s writing skills through making an essay and the applicant’s academic rank at the end of 5th grade.

The applicants will be ranked from highest to the lowest based on their final score and the top 240 will be considered as principal qualifiers for PSHS-MC (Main Campus). Depending on the decision of the system, the top 90 or 120 applicants in regional ranking will be considered principal qualifiers for their chosen regional campus.

by The Science Net

SAEYLS: Reshaping the environment

Crishelle Phoebe Yu ||

With aims of honing leadership skills and creating an environmentally conscious generation, Sri Aman Environmental & English Youth Leadership Summit held an international competition last August 4-5, 2020. Participating schools for this year’s summit included delegates from Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

The goal of SAEYLS is to unearth, hone and develop the leadership skills and abilities of the youth and to enable them to lead the global community of tomorrow to be highly environmental-conscious as well as embrace environmental-friendly lifestyles. They believe that as leaders of tomorrow, the youth can definitely bring about this significant change in the mindset of the global community, and ultimately, improve the quality of life.

Kendra Osias, a delegate from Philippine Science High School – Eastern Visayas Campus, pointed out that the event was very educational, fun, and interesting.

“It was fun! A little pressure, yeah, because it was an international competition, but mostly fun! It was also super educational and interesting because there were so many different cultures that led to different writing styles, topics, etc. I also had fun writing poetry again, because it’s something I haven’t done in a while.”

, she stated.

by The Science Net

Learning Crisis: PSHS students face distance learning

Crishelle Phoebe Yu ||

No long lines at the school gates. No visible first-day school jitters. Following the Philippine Science High School System’s (PSHSS) directive to delay face-to-face classes until measures set by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) allow it, the PSHSS decided to shift to distance learning for this academic year. Last September 7, 2020, the school system opened classes for SY 2020-2021. With this, Batch 2026 is set to encounter distance or online learning in their first year of high school.

A student from Batch 2026 stated that one thing is certain – there are a lot of factors affecting this mode of learning.

“Personally, I can say that I’m doing fine. I have quite adapted to this new mode of learning.  Sadly, I have to say that it’s quite challenging to be on online learning with a lot of factors affecting it such as slow internet connection. Although, it would be better if we would be back to our face-to-face classes. Overall, it’s interesting yet challenging but I know I can withstand this.”

, she/they stressed.

With this, PSHSS has conducted an academic break for the students from October 30, 2020 to November 6, 2020. This is in consideration for the students’ welfare and mental health. 

Another freshman also added, “I am constantly engulfed in despair-inducing experiences that lead to my consecutive anxiety attacks and the thought of just—giving up. I hope this changes in the near future, and I also hope that this crisis will soon end.”

For Eastern Visayas Campus, the students attended mental health orientations held through Google Meet, Zoom, or Facebook Live that can help with coping. By addressing mental health, students will begin their knowledge of the various challenges they or their peers may face at the present moment or at some point throughout their careers.

“I wish I could interact a bit more with my new classmates and meet them already. I also want to enjoy the Pisay life but because of the pandemic we’re under, it’s still not possible. But all in all, it’s great and I’m happy as a freshie!”

, another student said.

by The Science Net

2021 college entrance tests canceled

Louella Mae Sas ||

Due to the health and safety protocols brought by the coronavirus pandemic, colleges and universities were forced to cancel their usual College Entrance Tests (CETs). These tests are the yearly examinations conducted to determine who are worthy and fit to enroll in their institution. These colleges would not be able to conduct these exams since it would be a major risk to gather thousands of students to take the test. Thus, each institution has weighed other options on what system would be best to follow for the 2020-2021 admissions catering to the pandemic situation.

The first university to announce its new admission system was the University of Santo Tomas (UST). Last August, they declared that they would not be holding the UST Entrance Test (USTET) for the college applicants this Academic Year 2020-2021 due to the restrictions brought by the pandemic. Instead of USTET, they will be holding the UST Admission Rating (USTAR) which would be based largely on the applicants’ record and academic performance.

The Ateneo de Manila University, on the other hand, declared at the end of October that their college application would open on September 1, 2020, and would end on January 2021. The university has decided to diminish its usual Ateneo College Entrance Test (ACET) and follow its new system of application which is completely online to cater to the current pandemic. The admission will be based on students’ academic and non-academic performance from Grades 9, 10, and 11, on the batch rankings, and also recommendation letters from their teachers, extracurricular activities, disciplinary record, and their admission essay.

Also last October 2020, UP revealed that there were five options they were eyeing on. These options were: (a) a paper-and-pen administration of the usual University of the Philippines College Admission Test (UPCAT) that would strictly follow the proper protocols; (2) and online examination, (3) a mix of online and paper-and-pen, (4) a system that would be based on their previous records and performance to determine their University Predicted Grade (UPG), and (5) a moratorium on the admissions. UP has already set the application period for first-year students to start this January 7, 2021, while the admission system is still undergoing modification. Lastly, for the college applicants of the De La Salle University, they would also not take the usual DLSU College Admission Test (DCAT). Their admission would be based instead on their academic record in high school, letters of recommendation, class rank, and other information to be filled in the application form. The application period started last November 23, 2020, and will end on February 15, 2021. Application results will be released on the 3rd week of April 2021.