February 26, 2011 PAC2011 Closing Ceremony Report

February 26, 2011 Philippine Astronomy Convention Closing Day Report
by James Kevin Ty
Images taken by James Kevin Ty, Alberto Lao, and Armando Lee

Last February 26, members of the Astronomical League of the Philippines (ALP) celebrated the closing ceremony of the 3rd Philippine Astronomy Convention 2011 at the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center ISDC) at 1:00pm. It is also the country's first industry-sponsored event being sponsored by Cutting Edge - the official exclusive dealer of the high quality Celestron telescopes in the country. Members who were there to assist and help out were ALP President James Kevin Ty , Charito Ty and son Kendrick Cole (KC) Ty, PRO Armando Lee , Myra Lee and son Jason Lee, Treasurer / NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan , directors Edgar Ang, Christopher Lee, Henry So, Special Events Chairman Christopher Louie Lu, Desiree del Rosario , Alberto Lao, Dennis Buenviaje, Vincent Lao, Renato dela Pena & Victor Espartero, Christelle Mariano and new member Christine Joanne Cuarteros.

Programme proper started at around 1:20pm with the 40 minutes film showing entitled "Passport to the Universe." After the first show, ALPer John Ray Cabrera presented to the movie audience an entertaining analysis of the just concluded show entitled "Cosmic Journey." He depicted the process on how the visible universe has evolved through time, the nucleosynthesis of light elements and the formation of stars and large scale structure galaxies. And finally its exponential expansion, and to hopefully answer: “Where does fate lead the human race?” and “How will the universe end?” After the lecture, another 40 minutes film show entitled "Cosmic Collision" was shown. The planetarium movie theater was full in capacity when both films were shown!

After the 2 shows were shown, then registered participants were lead to the events room where the 2 succeeding lectures will be made. ALP NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan then welcomed the registered participant and introduced the next lecturer , ALP Special Events Chairman Christopher Louie Lu who presented his lecture entitled " Stories from the Stars." He narrated and share his collection of stories and myths about constellations that has been revolving around our night skies for several millennia.

Merienda was served to the registered participant while they listened to ALP PRO Armando Lee's lecture entitled" Search for Extra-Terrestrial." Armand's lecture for the day is a similar lecture he did last February 23 at Rizal Technological University in Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City to about 70+ students but Armand revised his lecture that afternoon a bit to suit for the audience at SDC.

After his lecture, a panel of ALP lecturers answer the questions asked by the registered participants. Then certificates of appreciation were presented to the PAC2011 lecturers by ALP President James Kevin Ty , ALP NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan and Cutting Edge's Brand Management Trainee Katrina Ann Salas.

Certificates of Completion were then given to the registered participants who were able to complete the 5 lecture / workshops offered by ALP during the 3rd PAC2011 weeklong activity. They then have the customary group picture taken inside the events room before the conclusion of the activities at the SDC.

ALPers Andrew Ian Chan, Edgar Ang and Dennis Buenviaje helps out at the registration booth.	Some of the registered participants wait for the other participants en route to entering the planetarium theater.
ALPer Dennis Buenviaje makes sure the participants wear their control tags before entering the activity center,	A long queue of participants and SDC guests flocked the center that afternoon!!!
A jampacked crowd filled out the planetarium theater to watch the 1st film show of the event entitiled "Passport to the Universe."	PAC2011 registered participants got in early to get the best seats inside the theater,
Cutting Edge / Celestron exhibit booth showcase 3 Celestron Nexstar telescopes.	ALPer John Ray Cabrera presented an interesting lecture / presentation of the show.
ALPer John Ray Cabrera's illustrative lecture was projected on the dome.	SDC helps promote the event by publishing a nice newspaper advertisement at the Philippine Star newspaper. Thanks!
The 2nd show was entitled "The Cosmic Collision."	ALP NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan introduce the other lecturers of the day inside the Events Room.
ALPer Christopher Louie Lu presented a nice lecture / presentation entitled " Stories of the Stars."	ALP PRO Armando Lee presented a nice lecture / presentation entitled " Search for Extra-Terrestrial."
Back view shot of the lecture series inside the Events Room.	Front view of the lecture room showing a full capacity crowd inside the Events Room.
ALP Astro Kids were at the front row to listen to Dr Lee's lecture :)	A short astronomy open forum consists of the lecturers of the day.
ALP PRO Armando Lee answers the question asked by one of the registered participants.	ALP President James Kevin Ty accepts his certificate of appreciation from Cutting Edge's Katrina Ann Salas for his lecture on "Getting Started in Astrophotography" while NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan looks on.
ALPer John Ray Cabrera accepts his certificate of appreciation from Cutting Edge's Katrina Ann Salas for his lecture on "Cosmic Journey" while NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan and ALP President James Kevin Ty looks on.	ALPer Christopher Louie Lu accepts his certificate of appreciation from Cutting Edge's Katrina Ann Salas for his lecture on "Stories of the Stars" while NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan and ALP President James Kevin Ty looks on.
ALP PRO Dr. Armando Lee accepts his certificate of appreciation from Cutting Edge's Katrina Ann Salas for his lecture on "Search for ET" while NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan and ALP President James Kevin Ty looks on.	(L-R) ALP speakers John Ray Cabrera, Christopher Louie Lu, James Kevin Ty, Dr. Armando Lee together with Cutting Edge's Katrina Ann Salas and NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan.
Newest member Christine Joanne Cuarteros accepts his certificate of completion from NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan while ALP President James Kevin Ty looks on.	ALPer / Planetarium Desiree del Rosario accepts his certificate of completion from NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan while ALP President James Kevin Ty looks on.
ALPer Alberto Lao accepts his certificate of completion from NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan while ALP President James Kevin Ty looks on.	Renante Matienza of St Benildo of Antipolo City accepts his certificate of completion from NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan while ALP President James Kevin Ty looks on.
Cutting Edge's Katrina Ann Salas congratulate the ALP for a successful PAC2011 and looking forward for many years of partnership.	NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan made the closing remarks to conclude this year's PAC2011.
ALP directors , officers and chairmen posed with SDC's Doods Carballo.	ALP lecturers posed with SDC's Doods Carballo.
Astro Kids strike a pose :)	PAC2011 registered participants tried out the Earthquake Experience Room.
They also tried out the various modules and interaction machines available inside the SDC activity center,	Yeah! Earthquake Experience Room Rocks !!!

Serious Shot

Wacky Shot !!!

The scheduled stargazing session that evening at AstroCamp Observatory was moved from 6:00-9:00pm to 9:00pm to 12:00am to pave the way for the PyroMusical Event that lasted till 9:00pm. They then started to setup their telescopes at the AstroCamp Observatory vicinity. ALPers who were there to help out were ALP President James Kevin Ty, Charito Ty and Kendrick Cole KC Ty, ALP PRO Armando Lee, Myra Lee and Jason Lee, Special Events Chairman Christopher Louie Lu, directors Christopher Lee & Sandra Lee, Edgar Ang, NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan and Iah Serna , John Ray Cabrera, Desiree del Rosario, Alberto Lao, Christelle Mariano, new ALPer Christine Joanne Cuarteros , and Cutting Edge staff. Amid a very hazy sky that evening, more than 300 people were able to get a good view of the planet Saturn, Orion Nebula (M42) in Orion and bright star Sirius .

ALP President James Kevin Ty & Victor Espatero operated the observatory's Celestron C11 SCT on Atlas Mount for hands on workshop on planetary webcam imaging, Chris Lu with his Celestron Powerseeker 80mm refractor with GEM mount ; Christopher Lee brought Armando Lee's William Optics Zenithstar 80ED refractor as Celestron ASGT mount ; Manila Planetarium staff brought along their 100mm Skywatcher refractor on EQ-4 mount as well as Celestron 8" SCT. Cutting Edge brought along a Nexstar 4 GOTO scope to share the beauty of the universe to the public. They ended their stargazing session at around 9:45pm with traditional group picture to conclude the opening day affair of the PAC2011.

Lastly we would like to thank again Doods Carballo of Nido Fortified Science Discovery, Jen Liza of Cutting Edge / Celestron, Bel Pabunan of National Museum Planetarium, Dr. Jesus Rodrigo Torres of Rizal Technological University, ALP PRO Dr. Armando Lee of Astrocamp Observatory, San Miguel By The Bay, our PAC2011 valued registrants , and our devoted, tireless ALPers specially NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan & the 5 speakers who help out in the 3 day activities. Without all of you, the 3rd Philippine Astronomy Convention 2011 wouldn't be a success!!! Thank you !!!

SDC's Doods Carballo and his daughter got a good view of planet Saturn.	Cutting Edge Staff focuses the Nexstar 4 on bright star Sirius.
ALPers Edgar Ang and Alberto Lao took time off to rest and chat.	ALP director Christopher Lee beside the Celestron C90 scope.
ALPer Victor Espartero guides the PAC2011 participants to observe Saturn through the C11 SCT.	PAC2011 participants wait for their tuen at the telescope.
ALPers Christopher Louie Lu align the finderscope while ALPer John Ray Cabrera looks on.	ALP PRO Armando Lee guides the participants on the 10" dobsonian telescope.
ALP NAW Chairman Andrew Ian Chan and Iah Serna posed beside his scope.	Wow! Ganda ng Saturn !!!!
ALP President James Kevin Ty took some AVIs of Saturn through the observatory's C11 SCT.	ALP President James Kevin Ty shows 2011 participant Carlo Caparas how to use the Registax image processing software.