Sinaunang Astronomiya: Ang Langit sa Buhay ng Sinaunang Pilipino" is UP AstroSoc's offering for this semester's Alternative Classroom Learning Experience (ACLE) on August 14, 2008 (Thursday) at PH 3207-3211 from 1-4 PM.

Dr. Dante Ambrosio, a professor of history at the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, will be giving a lecture on indigenous Filipino Astronomy (Sinaunang Astronomiya). Dr. Ambrosio has written several articles regarding Philippine Astronomy. You could read his published articles in the Philippine Daily Inquirer here and here.

Most Filipinos aren't aware of their ancestors having a rich knowledge of the heavens. Believe it or not, the early Filipinos not only used the night sky for determining the seasons, they also assigned names to certain groups of stars that reflect their own culture (yes, just like what the Greeks, Romans, Arabians, and Chinese did!). For instance, the Tagalog named the Orion's Belt as Tatlong Maria while the tribes of Bagobo, Bilaan, at Manobo called the constellation Orion as Balatik, a trapping device used for hunting.

Amazingly, Filipinos have their own version of the skies. (We should be proud!)

This lecture will surely give you a glimpse of the past and discover how our ancestors interweaved their beliefs and culture with the skies above.

The UP Astronomical Society will be open for application this first semester of AY 2008-2009. Interested UP Diliman students are invited to attend the Applicants' Orientation on July 11, 5:30 PM at the UP Astrosoc Tambayan (PAGASA Observatory, near CHE)

If you have any questions, you can contact us through email at mail@upastrosociety.org or through text at 09064495285 (Rayne).

Thank you and see you! :)

Champion: Rizal High School
1st Runner-up: Manila Science High School

2nd Runner-up: Valenzuela City Science High School

Congratulations!

UP Astrosoc, in line with its objectives of promoting astronomy in education presents BIGBANG! an inter high-school astronomy quiz. Teams of three students (with one alternate and one coach) will test their knowledge of astronomy and space science against each other. BIGBANG! is open to all Metro Manila High Schools.

Prizes include trophies and medals for the winners as well as the honor of being the champions of BIGBANG! 2008. For further inquiries about BIGBANG! 2008 and inquiries about joining, contact the following UP Astrosoc member:

• Genevieve Landong - 09062912961, upastrosociety@gmail.com