March 28, 2009 ALP Stargazing Session Report
by:  James Kevin Ty & Peter Benedict Tubalinal
Images by James Kevin Ty , Armando Lee & Vincent Lao

Last March 28, 2009 , members of the Astronomical League of the Philippines (ALP)  went to Caliraya , Laguna to observe and image as well as participate in the annual ALP Messier Marathon Open. Members who were present are ALP President James Kevin Ty,  wife Dr. Charito Ty and son Kendrick Cole Ty, VP Dr. Jett Aguilar,  Treasurer Henry So, Membership Chairperson Angie Tan,  Secretary Rich Pijuan, Directors Alfonso Uy  , Edgar Ang & Peter Benedict Tubalinal,   NAW Chairman Dr. Armando Lee, wife Mia and son Jason Lee , Vincent Lao, Dennis Buenviaje, Andrew Ian Chan, Tommy Tan, Antoinette Icot, Rosalyn Penol, Marc Anthony Honrade, Planetarium OIC Bel Pabunan ,  staffs Nel Lagda & Desiree del Rosario .

Last March 28, 2009, the 3rd Philippine Messier Marathon Open pushed through, being held at the dark skies of
Caliraya, Quezon. Right after the sun had set, members of the Astronomical League of the Philippines who arrived early took time to view and image the beautiful one-day old moon.

The place was divided into groups. One area was for the  marathoners, and the other was for the imagers.

Peter Benedict O. Tubalinal was able to spot all 110 messier objects for the second time.  The first one was in 2007.
Here are the participants together with the results:

Peter Benedict O. Tubalinal - 110
Vincent Lao - 55
Frank Kelvin S. Martinez - 33
Ma. Angela Lourdes Lequiron - 29
Pauline Pearl M. Divinagracia - 28
Antonette Icot - 26
Miguel M. Artificio - 23

All participants (except Peter and Vincent) are from the Rizal Technological University. There is three more coming from RTU who made a group effort in the marathon and they are: Cris L. Ayaton, Mark Anthony A. Honrade,
and Rosalyn A. PeÑol. They spotted 50 messiers. (Group efforts in a messier marathon is allowed but they will
not be entitled for certificates) .