THE STARGAZING event at Pico de Loro. JILL LEJANO

PICO de Loro in the early morning sun

As young as 5 years old, Rogel Mari Sese knew he wanted to be an astronomer.

It was a book from his scientist parents (his mom is a molecular biologist and his father is into chemistry and science communications) that started his love affair with space. One of the very first books I had was about astronomy and space flight.

His parents encouraged his passion, giving him his first telescope when he was eight. That sustained my interest. I still have it. Its a relic, it has sentimental value.

By age 13, he knew he wanted to be an astrophysicist, a dream he has turned now into reality.

He studied applied physics at the University of the Philippines in Los Baos, got his masters degree in physics from UP Diliman and, on a scholarship, got his doctorate in computational astrophysics from Japans University of Tsukuba.

Today, Dr. Sese is one of just three astrophysicists in the country, representing the Philippines in international conferences and organizations including the International Astronomical Union, the Universe Awareness Program by the EU-UNAWE and Galileo Teacher Training Program.

ST. THERESE of the Child Jesus Chapel is an air-conditioned glass chapel overlooking the West Philippine Sea, with a view deck where you can admire the Pico de Loro Cove and surrounding mountains. The chapel was designed by Filipino-American architect Carlos Arnaiz who is based in New York.

He is chairperson of the Southeast Asian Young Astronomers Collaboration and president of Regulus Spacetech Inc., a space technology research and development company he started. Regulus Spacetech is also in space education.

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Summer treat for your aspiring astronomers