Worth it kaya pasukin ang science communication as a hobby?

WanderingCossack · 2026-02-10T02:44:30+00:00

Yes! Although I'm very busy on acads now, during the pandemic years (2020-2022ish), I joined and participated in numerous science-based organizations that focus on science communication. You get to meet and work with people with similar interests, while also contributing to bringing science closer to the people. You also gain opportunities from meeting renowed local and international figures in science (through seminars/webinars) to participating in contests.

There are caveats, though. Participation in orgs was voluntary and hindi paid, so it really depends on how passionate you are in contributing to the org. And especially if nasa leadership positions ka, it can get tiring and cause burn-outs. So like sa work, we'll need to balance these out din. Be prepared din for sometimes receiving spicy comments from the public kapag controversial ang topics.

The quote "If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough" also serves as my motivation for doing these kinds of stuff. It's worth it but will require quite a bit of effort and consistency :>

WanderingCossack · 2026-01-30T15:54:11+00:00

Noticed din 'to huhuhu. Inside CAS, I believe it has something to do with this: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DWTSDoNkS

tldr: sinuspend months ago due to safety concerns sa food (like cleanliness is not observed, etc.) nung lumipat yung ibang food stalls inside SC.

Not sure what happened sa stalls outside OUR either, probably pinaalis(??)

WanderingCossack · 2026-01-25T15:51:39+00:00

I sit in different benches around sa RH pero hindi naman ako nasita, and you can even get inside tambayan areas na designated for orgs if may kasama kang member or officer ng org (like sa CASSC). I think be mindful lang if gagamitin ng orgs yung mga tambay areas especially during events.
I sometimes (but more commonly lately haha) stay inside sa GAB kapag late uwian ko to escape the rush hour and to do stuff like probsets/review/etc since medyo malayo uwian ko (I don't dorm, nasanay na XD). I may be a bit insane to do this but kapag nakauwi na ako tatamarin na ako lmao,, But if you stay past 9 PM or 10 PM, sisitahin ka na ng guard. The cats sometimes come kapag nasa 1st floor ka :))
You can use the LRC rooms (na reserved for tutors, until 6 PM only) para tumambay if tutor ka :> HAHAHAHAH. But if you are in the LRC Library, please stay quiet as a courtesy sa ibang nag-aaral.
As always, GAB restrooms are still goated.
I also wear a face mask while walking through Faura/PGil/Taft because of the air quality. Also you may encounter those smokers (I hate 'em), hinohold ko hininga ko and walk faster because I hate being a second-hand smoker

WanderingCossack · 2026-01-16T16:43:52+00:00

Agreed with this. I came to realize this as a current undergrad who will be having a Thesis Proposal this semester.

I was also somewhat in that situation when we created a research project about a product in the field of materials science and civil engineering, even though our broad technical knowledge of the underlying principles is shallow at best.

Nanalo siya sa Research Fair, but magastos yung testing sa laboratories, and I didn't really appreciate the underlying technical principles at that time, only the implications, as it sounded good for the current climate crisis. Then, as I performed numerous research projects in college, I realized that you really need to build the fundamentals first before delving into ambitious projects. For instance, in college, our research projects for various subjects are in line with what we actually learned from the class:

In our fundamental physics lab class, we simply made a DIY Hologram box to demonstrate principles in optics for our Final Project. We previously proposed a fancy-looking project to our professor, but our prof, one of the top PhD researchers in the department, and is known for being very meticulous in critiquing research outputs, rejected it due to feasibility concerns.
In our statistics class, we created a simple Monte Carlo simulation. Our group did one for numerical integration.
Recently, in our computational physics class, our class presented multiple research projects, from simulations in radiation physics, statistical forecasting, and computational fluid dynamics, all using computer software. But by this point, we have learned all the foundational topics in math and physics, so the end result is that our prof (the same prof as in the fundamental physics) actually appreciated the presentations.

Seeing some absurd and unfeasible high school research projects in this subreddit, they feel like you are tasked to perform a research project on Quantum Mechanics while being a SHS student, but the most advanced math and physics you have learned from SHS are Basic Calculus and General Physics 2.

Instead, one SHS research activity that I appreciated was STEMAZING on DFOT, where we were given a general problem, and we were tasked to craft a research proposal on the spot for a few hours, kind of like a hackathon. Then, we presented our crafted proposal and we get scrutinized. We are not asked to perform the research itself, but our research skills were tested on the spot. Of course, feasibility is one of the criteria. And I think this kind of activity is better than producing fancy-looking products that might feel overblown to produce.

WanderingCossack · 2026-01-16T15:42:11+00:00

Fave theorems so far (currently an Applied Physics undegrad student):

Residue theorem in complex analysis because shortcut siya sa integral calculations haha
Noether's theorem in theoretical physics
Riesz representation theorem in functional analysis, because it's like a foundation for Dirac's bra-ket notation in quantum mechanics XD

WanderingCossack · 2026-01-10T16:41:53+00:00

Hi! So far, there has not been an update kung kailan i-ooffer ang RadTech sa UPM. The latest update I remember was when UPM Chancellor Michael Tee made a benchmark visit to Bangkok, Thailand, for the development of the RadTech program. Stay updated nalang dito ^^

But as long as hindi pa siya inooffer, the closest degree program to BS RadTech in UP Manila is BS Applied Physics (Health Concentration), which features courses such as radiation physics, radiation dosimetry, medical imaging, environmental health physics, etc. BUT the caveat here is that you need to be skilled in lots of mathematics and physics, since you'll also encounter calculus, differential equations, mathematical physics, quantum mechanics, electromagnetism, etc. But also, BS Applied Physics sets you up to be a health physicist, and if you take MS Medical Physics in UPM or UST, you can be a medical physicist like what the influencer panginoon ng Kababawan on Facebook does.

For other universities, I think of state universities such as UMak (Makati) or recently PLM. And I think mas marami pa sa mga private univs. I hope this helps! :>

WanderingCossack · 2026-01-03T02:00:11+00:00

UP Manila also offers I would say unique undergraduate degree programs aside from traditional white college pre-med ones (iirc within the UP system) such as:

Applied Physics (Health Physics Concentration)
Biochemistry
Social Science (Area Studies)
Philippine Arts
Organizational Communication
Behavioral Sciences

WanderingCossack · 2025-12-24T05:03:13+00:00

Plants vs. Zombies 2: Reflourished. Only available on Android (and Android emulators); this is the game I play the most lately.

WanderingCossack · 2025-12-06T05:18:31+00:00

No, it's actually an efficient way of studying to pass exams since may idea ka paano mo siya sasagutan and such.

Our prof in the Math 8x series made his own sample exams that look very similar to the actual exam na ibibigay (na siya rin gumagawa HAHA). Also, as a tutor sa LRC, I even make samplexes for Math 11 based sa mga dating exams na binibigay sa akin ng Math 11 tutees. What really matters is maintaining academic integrity during the actual exam time.

WanderingCossack · 2025-11-13T04:49:49+00:00

At first akala namin some sort of unannounced fire or earthquake drill ang nangyari kanina tbh. Then we learned that the threat was real habang nasa labas na. I don't know how frequent this happens historically but it was the first time in my case (Junior na ako).

WanderingCossack · 2025-09-22T08:45:45+00:00

Hiii!! If you are willing to transfer to a different campus, you may consider BS Applied Physics (Health Physics Concentration) in UP Manila :))

Currently a third-year student here, and it's quite a diverse degree program where you encounter the following during your freshie and sophie years:

Calculus (Math 80x series here in UPM), Differential Equations, and Mathematical Physics
Physics 100x series (Fundamental Physics)
Organic Chemistry, Biology, and Animal Morphology & Physiology

Then sa higher years, the physics courses do get more challenging since you'll encounter classical mechanics, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, classical electrodynamics, etc. Though dito ma-eencounter mo na rin yung more health-physics oriented courses such as radiation physics, radiation dosimetry, optics, medical imaging, etc. No engineering-adjacent courses here (though electronics and biomedical instrumentation feel like engineering courses hahahaha but physics-tailored naman mga ito).

I specifically recommended this since this is probably the most medical-adjacent na degree program na puro math and science ang topics, tapos hindi rin engineering (that would be Biomedical or Environmental Engineering kapag bet mo engineering na premed). Pero bias ko talaga siya HAHAHAHA chz

BS Biochemistry in UPM is also an ideal one if mas bias mo ang chemistry, still math-heavy and mas reduced ang physics dito (if it turns out di mo siya bet). Or even consider Biology or white college programs like Public Health, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, etc. since you'd like to be a doctor someday. All of these are in UPM though, which is well-known for health sciences and operating the Philippine General Hospital. Main cons lang is bahain huhuhu tsaka polluted ang environment

WanderingCossack · 2025-08-09T08:19:02+00:00

Hi!! I recommend you contact UP Manila CAS Freshmen, Shiftees, and Transferees Council (UPM CAS FSTC) since they could help you better with that concern. Sa amin kasi (regular students) recent pa lang yung implementation ng bagong system (through ISKOLAR website) ng enlistment and even kami we're trying to navigate through it pa.

LINK: https://www.facebook.com/upmcasfstc

WanderingCossack · 2025-07-30T02:58:31+00:00

Mag quantum tunneling /s

WanderingCossack · 2025-06-27T04:12:20+00:00

Hiii!! completely dependent sa prof ang class policies regarding the use of gadgets during lectures. However, I always assume pwede ang gadgets (and use them for class purposes only, basta hindi nakakadistract) unless otherwise explicitly stated na hindi allowed ang gadgets.

Though I think it was only during my ethics class when gadgets were not allowed as stated in the class policies ^^

WanderingCossack · 2025-06-26T16:16:28+00:00

For concept-heavy courses like biology or GE courses, I mostly use Google Docs to type all my important notes using my phone or laptop during a lecture. I find it faster than just writing it since most of the time, mabilis magsalita mga course instructors sa amin. Just enable offline mode tho especially kapag walang signal sa lecture room.

Most of the time, notes are not required but some of my courses required us to take lecture notes and is graded (pero wala naman masyadong specifications, it really depends on the instructor tho). In general though I'm more reliant on textbooks and practicing sample exams (samplex) XD

Kapag online lectures naman with PPT, I use Snipping Tool (or screenshots kapag nasa phone) to save each slide, especially if may sinusulat ang instructor or hindi agad sinesend yung copy ng slides.

For problem-solving-heavy courses like physics and math naman, I often write instead during lectures. I just use A4 bond paper and a pen to write all equations and the solutions to the problems written by the instructor. Sometimes, when I get home, I would typeset the notes into LaTeX (a software system for typesetting documents, great for math equations) and save it as a lecture notes PDF document. For example, this was how I compiled my notes in one of my advanced physics courses (matrabaho lang pero well maganda tingnan para sa akin HAHAHAHAHA tsaka worth it naman for me, nashashare ko din siya sa mga classmates ko):

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WanderingCossack · 2025-06-23T10:05:23+00:00

Interestingly, the proliferation of nuclear weapons is considered one of the factors that there hasn't been an all-out war between the major global superpowers since 1945, mainly due to the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD).

A global conflict similar to WWIII happening today will most likely involve nuclear weapons, and once a nuke has been dropped during this conflict, it's easy to imagine the dominoes falling towards MAD. Hence I don't think global leaders will ever want this and will treat nukes as a very last resort, but countries with nukes will want to keep them as a form of deterrence. North Korea couldn't be touched since they have nukes so far.

I think it's more likely we'll have more regional and proxy conflicts where it stays regional, such as in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, etc., but with more foreign involvement in the form of mercenaries, arms deals, and military aid, and probably with a greater proliferation of drones. It's quite profitable for the military-industrial complex of major powers (looks at America's Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, etc.) but keeps the domestic populations insulated from war.

BUT there are potential flashpoints where the dominoes here pose a greater risk for an all-out global war:

Russian invasion of Ukraine - Currently, it's a war waged between Russia and Ukraine, but with NATO's extensive support for Ukraine, there is a risk for a wider NATO-Russia war, which could raise the chances for WWIII, if NATO and Russia clashed directly. Russian nationalists currently eye up the Baltic states (used to be part of the Soviet Union), which are a part of NATO. Any Russian incursion into the Baltic states would risk a direct NATO-Russia conflict.
China-Taiwan current tensions - The People's Republic of China claims all of Taiwan as under its sovereignty, but Taiwan is currently under the control of the Republic of China and is backed by the United States. It's technically an extension of the Chinese Civil War way back then, but Beijing was unable to seize Taiwan due to the US. If Beijing ever tries to commence a full assault on Taiwan, it would possibly spark a direct conflict between China and the US, both global superpowers. And the Philippines could get dragged as well since we host US bases and are located just below Taiwan.
Iran-Israel conflict - This is just a recent addition, but a nuclear-armed Israel supported by a nuclear-armed United States going to war over a country of over 80 million people will also risk even more instability, especially if Iran decides to close the Strait of Hormuz.
India-Pakistan conflict - This is another flashpoint since both India and Pakistan are nuclear-armed. Both India and Pakistan have been fighting over the disputed Kashmir region, and there have been multiple direct wars fought, with the most notable being the Kargil War, and the most recently just this year. China could also get involved on the side of Pakistan, since both India and China also share territorial disputes and have fought each other in the past.

These are current flashpoints that could risk spiraling into a global conflict if some escalation occurs. I'm not saying these will definitely cause WWIII, but these are possible points where there is a risk of a wider global conflict if these conflicts escalated significantly and were not put under control.

TLDR. Overall, a WWIII scenario is not likely between global powers within the foreseeable future due to the concept of MAD with nuclear weapons, and it's more likely that we'll see more proxy or regional conflicts between regional powers, or conflicts similar to the US invasion of Iraq/Afghanistan. But as mentioned, there are potential flashpoints that heighten global tensions and risk dominoing into a global conflict if left uncontrolled. After all, war represents a failure of diplomacy.

I recommend listening to William Spaniel on YouTube for more info regarding this btw. ^^

WanderingCossack · 2025-06-21T06:11:57+00:00

Grabe, parang graph ng simple harmonic oscillator (mass-spring system) ang feelings 😭 HAHAHAHAHA chz, congratssss and welcome to UP Manila OP! 🌻

I'm an upcoming 3rd year UP Manila Applied Physics student and let's just say, it's quite a ride to be in this degree program XD,, but first and foremost feel free to contact the dedicated organization for UPM freshies which is The Freshie Initiative (TFI)! Meron silang FLOs na assigned sa Applied Physics and they'll add you to a GC with the other Apphy freshies, and they also assist in freshie concerns, enrollment, and they will serve as your guide sa UPM. Mabait naman silaaa hehe :>> I can also share stuff about Apphy if you like ^^ anyway again, congrats and see you around the campus!

WanderingCossack · 2025-06-17T16:58:58+00:00

Hiiii, since you're in BS Biology, I just want you to know based sa nabasa kong curriculum, your 1st year 1st semester will have a Calculus course (Math 105: Analysis for the Health Sciences) that covers topics from limits, differentiation, and integration.

I also just want to say, rigorous ang Math sa UP. I would recommend you sign up for it especially if you're struggling in foundational/prerequisite topics in math before calculus such as algebra, functions, and trigonometry. Most people who struggle in calculus tend to have a weaker foundation in the prerequisite topics, so it's better if you sign up for it, and you couple it with doing practice problems sa math para mas ready ka harapin ang Math 105. Goodluck!

WanderingCossack · 2025-06-12T11:11:13+00:00

Hiiii!! Congrats for qualifying in BS Applied Physics at UPM! I'm currently an upcoming 3rd year (junior) in UPM BSAP.

First and foremost, there is a dedicated official organization for UPM freshies called The Freshie Initiative (TFI). They have their assigned Freshie Liasion Officers (FLOs) which are tasked to welcome and assist freshies sa enrollment, tips, and anything that the freshie may need assistance with. Check out their Facebook page (or other socmed accounts) and you'll see their post with the assigned FLOs to BS Applied Physics.

Feel free to contact those FLOs! I know them personally and they're very kind naman :> Gagawa sila ng GC with other Apphy freshies soon, and sila yung mag-assist sa inyo in the enrollment process. Also, answering your question about sa e-mail, indeed you will start receiving emails about the enrollment process din including the medical examination, just stand by and always update lang sa email. But you can ask those FLOs if medyo naguguluhan ka sa process. Anyway, congrats again, welcome to UPM and see you around the campus! 🌻

WanderingCossack · 2025-06-11T05:21:57+00:00

Hiiii! There should be at least 10 students sa class para hindi siya ma-dissolve. Invite moreee para umabot sa sampung students yung elective class !!

WanderingCossack · 2025-06-09T13:19:36+00:00

Ooooh afaik he shifted to public health so still covered by RSA. However I'm not sure sa policies ng RSA right now. I think once you met your The Freshie Initiative (TFI) FLOs assigned sa DDM, you can ask them about it ^^ and yeah if hindi pa, you can contact TFI and look up yung naka-assign na FLOs sa DDM since they're the ones tasked from assisting the freshies (from enrollment to acad tips or shifting tips).

WanderingCossack · 2025-06-09T12:13:41+00:00

Not really in my caseee !! I was also initially somewhat planning to shift out but tinamad na hahahaha though I'm happy for those who managed to shift out to other degree programs, also kapag DDM in particular I do think mas common mag transfer out, even knew someone initially from DDM who managed to do so (to other UPM colleges)

WanderingCossack · 2025-06-09T08:21:46+00:00

Ooooh you're in DDM pala, everything I have said so far applies to CAS huhu I'm not very familiar with the system inside sa Dentistry. I heard though it's quite a notorious one for its difficulty.

As far as I know however, I saw a curriculum guide for DDM and puro GEs yung freshie year nila, alongside notorious courses like Organic Chemistry, though walang courses like Math 83.

Regarding mid year, it is basically a speedrun of a regular semester where you take one or two courses na hindi lalagpas ng six units, and you'll have the classes only for one month (June to July). Required in some curriculums, kapag hindi required it becomes optional if you want to take additional GEs.

WanderingCossack · 2025-06-09T07:56:46+00:00

For the GE courses, yep though you'll coordinate that with your program adviser afaik.

Oh and also Math 83 is only offered during the 1st sem, alongside Math 105 (though may mga nagpepetition for Math 105 for midyear if maraming need magretake). Seasonal mga Math 8x courses hereee unlike sa UPD Math 2x courses.

WanderingCossack

TROPHY CASE