DOST-SEI's The Filipino Patriot Scholar Project | Day 1

I feel like I've woken up in a very beautiful dream and it's still so vivid to me even if it just happened a weekend ago. These two-day workshop that the DOST-SEI had prepared for the scholars of MSU-IIT was a very huge success and had harvested 200 patriots.

It's been roughly three months since the day of DOST-JLSS Examination results came out, the day that my name has been part of that list who luckily passed. And just days ago was the contract signing and became a DOST Scholar officially. I want this scholarship so bad since I don't to be leeching off my parents anymore for my weekly outings and extravagant needs.. for short, it just boils down to MONEY. But it never occurred to me how heavy my responsibility was until I joined this Formation Program.

I was really excited to be a DOST Scholar and it is of my will that I wanted to be part of this program, to at least give back or to express how thankful I am to pass the exam. Only 200 scholars were invited to be a part of it-- at first, the list wasn't even filled up because most scholars aren't interested, thinking that it's just a program full of boring lectures. AND to think the program has no registration fee! And free snacks and lunch and dinner and breakfast! And we get to enter PRISM (a 200-M worth research institute building) for the first time! Plus the experience! How can I say no to that! This was the first time DOST-SEI had conducted this formation program. It would be such a great privilege to be part of it!!!

I was really excited.. but I was still late for first day, kinda. Well, I just really barely arrived on time, seconds before the program started. Teehee

DAY 1

When I arrived at PRISM, I was really shocked that we get to receive bags! A bag filled with a shirt, a raincoat, a notebook, and a pen. We also received IDs. Promise, we really are greatly accommodated. Of course, the program was opened by Dr. Biyo. Yes guys, Dr. Josette Biyo, herself!! The one that had her name in one of the planets! Planet Biyo. Check out how cool she is.

First, we had the Human Bingo Card which was really fun with my fellow scholars. This was my first time to be with them, to know some of their faces. The first four scholars who get to complete the card will receive a journal signed by Dr. Biyo! Gorgeousss. But I haven't won because I was too busy signing other people's cards (Harry Potter fan; person that has nail polish on toenails; youngest in the family, etc.) than letting others sign mine. I don't mind because I really had fun!! Next activity we had was Humanizing the Scholar. We were given letters (which spell out Patriot), a paper human and a current issue, where we received "Depletion of Natural Resources". The letters will be the first letters of the body parts, and attach it to the paper human. Then we'll explain how we can lessen the problem by using the body parts we've attached.

After that we had the Kapihan!! It was really entertaning!! I did not expect this part of the program. Hahaha. Well, this part was just like in a talk show. One host, which is Prof. Confesor, who acted like Boy Abunda, and then three DOST former scholars were invited to be interviewed as guests. 'Boy Abunda' did a great job, infairness. And the guests, their stories were really inspiring. ♥

After that there was a talk prepared by Sir Geraldo Petilla about the core values of being a patriot scholar. (I really wonder if he's related to our former Secretary of Department of Energy Jericho Petilla, because they look alike). So there are three core values that scholars need to uphold:

• SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - to always remember that we need to give back to our community and to help other people succeed; to promote nation building
• SERVANT LEADERSHIP - to influence and be a good example for others to follow; to pass on something worth keeping, like values and skills, to survive in this world; allowing and teaching your members to stand up on their own
• PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE - to do your best at all times to also give best results; not just to achieve a profession but to also excel on it

We were given the chance to have a role playing or a sitcom in front of the audience in the Mannequin Challenge part, about the core values. Each group was assigned with a core value and we must portray it the best way we can to the audience. It was quite unnerving since the judges were the important people of DOST-SEI. It was really fun having to bond with my co-scholars, exchanging sensible opinions with each other. Other groups were very entertaining too!! 

Never thought that day could get any better! Ms. Imelda Sario aka Ma'am Dada's icebreakers really the bomb!!! They're really unique and funny and we always look forward to it. A number of icebreakers she had shared to us, and I'll surely share it to future workshops/camps soon.♥

credits to DocuTeam of the Patriot Program. (that's me, the one holding a phone, so busy capturing memories hihi)

We had short film showing in the afternoon. They let us watch a documentary of the current issues in the Philippines and wanted us to come up an action plan on how we can solve or lessen a problem that's around our community.

I think this activity was really informative, not only because we can open our minds and realize the problems that are prevalent in our community, but we can also know what other groups had come up and realized. We had come up with an action plan too, meaning as scholars, we can do something about them. And we must start doing them.

That day was really draining maybe because of the wave of information I got from all the lectures that day, and yet, I went home with a happy heart. ♥

Next post will be the second day! It was the more memorable part of the program because we were given a chance to witness the people who needed us Patriots to help them. Wait for it!