by Roger Junior C. Colobong

(inspired by "The National Youth Science, Technology and Environment Summer Camp 2011.. My Last PSYSC Summer Camp" written by Carl Partrick S. Tadeo. Thanks Carl...)

Cebu (2005), UPLB (2007), Aklan (2008), Bataan (2009), Tagaytay (2010), Iloilo (2011), CAMP Iloilo was the 6th NYSTESC that I have experienced. I was an incoming 4th year high school back then, when I joined CAMP Cebu. I can still recall the play of events that had happened back then (Biotechnology: Magic in the Realm of Reality was even the theme). The CAMP was first set to be in Davao, however, for some reason, it was moved to a later date in the hidden paradise of Cebu. Due to the postponement of the CAMP to a later date, I was forced to forgo the opportunity of enrolling in a summer program in preparation for UPCAT just to attend the summer camp. So why did I do it? Why risk the chance of preparing for exam to an activity of PSYSC? Well, during that time, I didn’t really know, but what I knew was that I really wanted to join.

It was not my first time to attend a national activity, for I already had attended the NLTSGO in Baguio before. Somehow, I had that expectation of sleeping in a cozy bed, eating warm meals, and listening to a lecture or two in an air-conditioned room. However, when we arrived at the venue of CAMP Cebu, all those expectations crumbled. We were led to our quarters which was actually an unfinished dormitory. Majority of the male participants were assigned to sleep in a big hall which was still under construction. The feel of it was like that of staying in a refugee camp. The food was also not that satisfying and the session hall was hot and small, that some of the participants were already outside the hall. Some of the bathrooms were just improvised, and to top that, water was very limited.

Though, despite of such problems in the accommodations, I can’t say that I regret joining that PSYSC event; because, It was also in that event that I experienced a different kind of friendship with other people coming from the different parts of the Philippines. I could still recall Subcamp 14: Mutantes with our facilitator Ate Marj, sonny, cha, bogik, Jaime, kikim, czar, Barbie, Kelvin and the rest of the gang. I still remember the times when we ate lunch together, did workshops, listened and slept in lectures, the jail booth, foam stuffing, fieldtrip, exchanging numbers, filling each other’s “who I met” page, how we shared and made fun of each other’s languages, and of course the last night where after pledge and awarding we all went at the pool side to chat some more and ended the night with a water fight. That was my first NYSTESC and it was legendary…

It was also during that event that I realized that I wanted to do what the PSYSC organizers do. Make cool AVPs, become a facilitator, organize such events or even better. That time, I told myself, I wanted to become part of PSYSC’s team.

I learned from my older brother the application process of PSYSC in UP, and so when I entered college, it was one of my goals to be part of the National Executive Council Assistance Team. It was in the orientation where I met the people who I also saw in CAMP Cebu. It felt that I was seeing the movie stars in person – it was overwhelming. By the end of the first semester of my first year, I was finally an ECAT. Come April of 2007, I became a facilitator to league 14: Chemates, where I met 32 high school kids in CAMP UPLB (Chemic Relief: Transcend Entropy). The feeling was weird because some of the kids were participants of CAMP Cebu, however, as it was like before, everything was worth remembering. From the first day of wearing the zorro mask, a game of backstab, to the workshops, cheering practice, quiz bee, dress a super hero, limbo rock, over-all workshop, pledge night and the awarding ceremonies, everything was extraordinary. We were even able to bag the BEST SUBCAMP award, the SUPER LEAGUE.

Camp Aklan came in next, where I became Sessions head. It was different from just being a participant or a facilitator. Though I may not have done the job quite well, it made me learn some lessons and gave me an avenue to develop. I decided to take another shot in CAMP Bataan, where in I was the workshops head and later on turn teacher’s session. From handling students, I was then tasked to handle the teachers, it was awkward at first, but then, I eventually got the hang of it. It was in CAMP Bataan, that I was also elected as the NEC President for 2009 to 2011.

In my term as the NEC, I had overseen the conduct of the 2010 NYSTESC held in Tagaytay. Now the challenge was on a higher level. Decisions had to be done, deals were made, negotiations and even confrontations. That time, the participation was already overwhelming. We had almost reached a thousand. It was my first CAMP as president and yet my 5th CAMP in total, yet it doesn’t fail to leave a memory worth remembering.

And then, of course, the 2011 CAMP Iloilo, the largest CAMP in PSYSC history. From just being a participant of an event to becoming it’s president; from subcamp 14 to the more than a hundred thousand affiliates of the organization, from my first CAMP until now, PSYSC has continued to give me great friends and wonderful memories. It has enriched me with different skills and values, and has made me realize my potentials. PSYSC has made me ready to face the real world with confidence. As my term as president ends and start as a board member, I do not think that I can say that this CAMP Iloilo is MY LAST CAMP, because, I know that despite of me pursuing a different chapter of my life, I will forever hold PSYSC’s motto of “Once a PSYSC, A PSYSC Forever”. As for you, you maybe right…it might be your last CAMP…as a student…but not as an ECAT, or an NEC, or even a Speaker...it’s a challenge that is left for you…

Keep the Fire Burning!

Roger Junior C. Colobong

NEC President

2009-2011

by Carl Patrick S. Tadeo

‘Once a PSYSC, always a PSYSC.’

It’s my second experience at the National Youth Science, Technology and Environment Summer Camp. From the Camp 2010 at Alfonso, Cavite and this year at Iloilo City. These are the biggest camps that I am having during my vacation days. It teaches me a lot about Science and teaches me how to make friends with those people that I don’t usually mingle with. The year’s theme is “Under CHEMstruction: Restore the Environment’s Equilibrium, Provide a Greener Solution.”

Let us have a talk about this year’s summer camp.

Well, I’m with 5 other smart and kind humans. The first one was Ma’am Myrna Lumague, one of the most beautiful Science teachers in town, and the other 4 was Ate Jillian, Ate Micah, Ate Joy, and Kuya Johnlee. We are the Science Wizards of Olongapo City National High School if you don’t mind. It’s a great opportunity, for we all feel that we are all Science geniuses for we are with the smartest in the Science thingy at that camp. It’s a great experience with a great story...

The story starts here. The 5 of us were there at the Victory Terminal of Olongapo City for we will have a ride to go to Manila. So we must go on the way at 4 because our flight is 10:00 yet we need to get there 2 hours before the flight, so we must get there at 8:00. But we have 4 hours drive from Olongapo to Manila, so, we need to less 4 and that’s the reason why 4:00 must be our departure at the bus terminal.

Well, have you not asking why we are only 5? We must be 6. But the other one was late. We waited until past 4 but she did not arrive yet. So the hero was Jillian. She went to Micah’s home, and found out that Micah had just awake. So, they made it quick. And when they arrived at the bus terminal we rode the bus going to Pasay.

When we arrived at Pasay we rode a taxi and have journeyed our way to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). I feel like I’m going abroad. Well, I got ready for this. I told my grandma that I will be back soon. For as I get there I will work and will give them dollars, and I will send them chocolates... It’s Filipino’s tradition you know... That every time they hear about airplanes, they always imagine of how cold it will be at that place. We will only go at ILOILO, so don’t expect too much...

We first took a slight snack at the Jollibee stall at the 2nd Floor of the NAIA. We had just ordered burgers and hot chocolates. But I also bought a donut at Mister Donut. I find it beautiful... But the thing that I love about the NAIA was the escalator thingy? Well, that’s not eecalator at all. What do you call that escalator that only run at a flat floor?... Ah! Just forget it...

We’re on the plane now... It’s good... Yeah, it’s good... I love the air-condition... I love the sit and also the seat-belt. It’s hard to figure out how to use the plane’s seat-belt ey. We figured it out about 5 minutes.

Well, the attendants are good. I thought all of flight attendants must be good-looking, but now I knew the truth! Not all. But... Some do have.

Oh. I really hate planes! Why? The foods are very expensive... They think they can outsmart us. Never! But, we bought a snack...

The take off was good. It is not as bad as of riding a coaster. The pilot was gentle. In the first place I’m a little bit nervous. But for heaven’s sake God will never leave me. But all of it was over, when the plane got down. The touch was gentle... and we had never felt that we are in land.

When it’s my turn to get down on the stair I shouted aloud “, Hello! Iloilo!” Well it’s a great experience. It’s a dream come true. I’m rich! Having the truth that it’s my first time to ride a plane.

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We took a taxi, with other schools that will also go at the Premiere Hotel Destination at Iloilo City-The Sarabia Manor & Convention Center. Well, Iloilo was good. It looks like a sleeping paradise... It’s as tranquil as the soft waters along a modest river. But, I don’t want the silence. For sometimes silence brings craziness. .. Agree?

The first stop -- the Registration...

I hate this part. It always takes a month to finish. We waited and got starved so we took our lunch at an adjacent store-Ocean City. The food was good but gold...

And after several years of waiting the Kuya’s directed us on our room. And tried to have a rest. We are with the students of Agusan City National High School. We are so curious about what they say. They mostly talk Bisaya dialect. So, we mostly don’t understand what they say. But they are not that hard to get along with.

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We didn’t talk about the hotel yet... The hotel was good... Almost the whole hallways are filled with carpets. The rooms are fully air-conditioned. There’s a hot shower. And I love the key. The key was just a card. The room was good. There are cabinets that could be filled with clothes. But we didn’t put our clothes there for we are 14 people and may have misunderstandings. There is a cable on the television. Yah, it’s good, but not that good. For there is a battle on the channels that each of us wants... And finally an elevator...

The Camp itself...

ViLLAGERS PRiDELECTiON. The salvation of Chemopolis starts here. Listen to how it all started and what you can do to help. Get acquainted with the people who’ll be vital in this entire training.

I learned all here. I met my Villagers-campers. And I knew that I belong to Satrape #27 – The Young Avatars. I enjoyed it, but not that much for we are just adapting and knowing each other.

RoCHEMroLLiN’: A night of stress relieves and Pasafest: PatiCHEM Please! Rock and Rolling the Chemopolis way. A night off from all the pressure of saving Chemopolis. Bond with other villagers. Enjoy the dun and games in-stored for you. Indulge your taste buds with free food from every Village.

I love this night. We had a great bonding through cute games like the Stop Dance thing that the whole group is needed and the Limbo-Rock. After the that we went to the parking lot of the hotel and a pasafest indulge our tongues. The different tastes from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao showed to everyone that they unite for a common thing. We got so many pasalubongs like: piyaya, biscocho, veggie chips and tahong chips. All of the foods are delicious...

MasCHEMrade. A night of purely pleasure in disguise. Strictly no mask no entry. A sophisticated night that brought out the etiquette with us. We sat back and relaxed while we watched the performances from our fellow villagers, and many more.

The Final Onus. Fearlessly face this final challenge. All your training will now come down to this. Finish this, and Chemopolis is saved.

This is our Over-all Workshop along with our own Satrapes. This is the most tiring one. But one of the most memorable.

Renaissance. Enjoy the beauty of the rebirth of Chemopolis. Altogether, let us kindle the flame and pledge our support to maintain the beauty of this Metropolis.

Altogether we ignited the flame of a magnificent future that Chemopolis will now have. At that pledge night, I pledged for our Satrape. And pledge for the same and common goal...

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And its the end of our camp...

When we are in the Iloilo Airport we are very happy for we are going back to Olongapo. And because we are so bored we danced the Dalandan Shake inside the plane. And I requested to Kuya Lee to take us a video. Even if it is not allowed at the airport.

When we got it to NAIA we tried to have vids again. For we want to make a video on how to dance the Dalandan Shake for us to present during our encampment for Division wide.

Well, let us see the vid when the Camp here in Olongapo starts. And finally a home sweet home...

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SATRAPE #27 - THE YOUNG AVATARS

This is where I belong... At this group I felt complete. When I went to Iloilo I felt that something is missing on me but when I am with my Satrape mates and when I went home I felt so complete. Even though we are from different part of our nation we united and we fought for the challenges that had given to us by our lovable Guardians. In this case we met each other, sometimes we fight for there are some decisions that are not approved by some and some are just fooling around. But the truth was that our Satrape is a silent yet competitive group.

For be yourself, be myself, and be ourselves.

As the camp end, I had never been sad. For I know that we must say goodbye but it will never be the end for it is just the start of a long friendship that we will all have.

I will miss the Go Mart Convenience Store that is near the hotel. We always buy our personal things there. I will miss Room 310. I will miss the elevator. I will miss the hotel’s hot water for our cup noodles during the late hours that we are bored at our room. I will miss the time that we argue about whose going next on having a bath. I will miss the food that doesn’t bring me to life, for it is not as good as my mom’s cooking. I will miss the subcamp lunch and dinner. I will miss the juice wherein the sweet part settled down at the bottom. I will miss the Dalandan Shake that we always dance every time that we are having our session assembly. I will miss all... And lastly I will miss PSYSC as I have my last PSYSC Summer Camp.

But I know that wherever we are and whenever will it be. The friendship, the memories and the laughter that we had will never be erased by anyone for as we live we will still reminisce the true meaning of the PSYSC-Philippine Society of Youth Science Clubs.

Yes, we are one family. One community. One PSYSC.

Carl Patrick S. Tadeo
Participant, CAMP 2011

by Christel Facundo

It's been how many days since PSYSC Camp "11 ended. And to tell you the truth, even though I still don't have a background in Chemistry, I learned a lot. Aside from the lectures, I learned from the workshops, experiences (good and bad), and mostly from my newly found friends.

I'm 15 years old, an upcoming 3rd year student in Agusan Sur National High School and I still don't know a thing about Chemistry. I had two choices to choose during the camp: (a) to stay quiet in a corner and pretend that I don't know anything (Okay, not pretend. I really don't know anything about Chem) or (b) speak up and try my best to help my satrape in any way that I can. Well, I chose the 2^nd option. It's not me to stay quiet in a corner during the entire duration of the camp. Even though I didn't know a thing about Chemistry, I helped my satrape. And guess what? Our leader even had trust to turn to me for a second choice, even though I don't know anything about what they're saying. That was a great honor, because he gave me importance despite of my lack of knowledge about the topic.

My Friends. What would I do without them? ELECTROPHORESIX, Satrape 6, was the highlight of my summer. With just four days we created a bond that not even a nuclear bomb can destroy. With those four days, we created miracles together, making the impossible, possible. All those times, the happy memories the bad ones, and even the funny ones gave me each a lesson in life. The happy memories taught me to savor each moment in life to never think of negativity when everyone around you is happy. The bad memories taught me to learn from my mistakes and never give up each task that was given to us by the Sages or by God Almighty. It taught me to trust my co-satrapes whatever choice they made ana it taught me to trust in God more than ever.

What about the funny memories? Thinking about them brings tears to my eyes. I still remember how each of my close friends laughs and the creases on their eyes when they smile. I sometimes cry when I wake up in the morning realizing that I don't have a breakfast stub anymore and I don't have to rush to Maragtas Hall to catch the last bit of cold breakfast. I wake up realizing that I don't have to listen to long lectures and I don't have something to look forward to at the end of it. The workshops brought us close together, it served as an important role in our everlasting bond. And now I have to wake up with this weird heavy feeling on my chest every day knowing that I might never see my co-satrapes again.

To our very supportive Guardian, ATE ALIX JEAN SANTOS, thank you: for all the sacrifices you made just to make our activities all right even though when some of us escape them (and yes, I'm talking about the 3 musketeers, Jian, Carl and Sheena. Peace Guys!), you still have patience to keep up with that.

To my newly found friends, especially to our leader, Meo, who tried his very best to make each workshop perfect and managed to do so, you are the best leader in the world, no matter what others may say; to KB, my buddy, thanks for being there for me; to Kwek and Hazel, who's been my girl friends in Camp; to Ate Dale, who made me feel that I have a sister; and to Mark who never failed to make me smile with his banats. To those I forgot to mention, you guys are still in my heart, giving me hope each day to wake up. But all in all ELECTROPHORESIX, you completed my summer. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH GUYS.

PSYSC never failed again to make my summer unforgettable. But this year, on the 40th birthday of PSY, it made miracles. And those miracles were my friends --- like a long lost one whom I just reunited after 40 years.

If only I could turn back time, I would spend Camp '11 just the way I did. I won't change anything, because even a little move of my hand is a factor that brought us close together like never before.