| On January 6, 2023, our member Dr. Joel Marciano took his oath before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on his reappointment as PhilSA Director General. He was appointed in March 2019 when PhilSA was created. Quoted Joel on his Twitter: “Grateful for the opportunity and challenge to continue to steer the new and evolving balangay into this odyssey – into ‘the large venture, the big risk, the bold extensive enterprise’ of space. And as we navigate, we endeavor to bring the rising tide that lifts all boats.” As head of the Department of Science and Technology – Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI), Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute (EEEI) professor Joel headed the Philippine Satellite Program that designed and built the Diwata, then Maya, micro and cube satellites. Diwata 1 was launched in 2017. Top on his Wish and Do List is the development of the space industry in the country. |
 Dr. Marciano (right) taking his oath before Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin in Malacañang. |
