It is disheartening to realize how ignorant our society is of science and how much we Filipinos take it for granted. Here in the Philippines, a high-paying job is inconceivable for a science graduate. I find it disturbing that science (except maybe for medicine) is not given as much credit as, say, engineering or the law. Most parents, if given a choice, would never let their kids enroll in the sciences like math, chemistry, or physics, probably because they are afraid that no promising future awaits college graduates with such a background.

I entered the Bachelor of Science in Physics program of the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, Quezon City, in 2001. I have to admit that I never really intended to enter the program, as I had always wanted to be an engineer. However, my career plan was like that of many other Filipinos: to finish college here and work abroad. So it didn’t really matter what course I took since my plan was to leave the country anyway. I was told that physics was a rich field, and that physicists were very much in demand abroad. My plan was concrete and self-seeking and, as embarrassing as this may sound, serving the country was not part of it.

In UP, student of physics are required to submit a thesis and defend it. So, I had to apply to a research laboratory as early as my third year. I was lucky to get accepted to the Instrumentation Physics Laboratory (IPL) of the National Institute of Physics, one of the leading research groups in the country. I chose it not because I wanted to produce scholarly works and become a full-fledged scientist in the future but because I knew it would make my resumé look good. It would be my ticket to high-paying jobs in both the industry and the corporate world. I had no plans of obtaining a higher degree in the same field.

However, during my stay in the lab, my eyes were opened to subtle realities. Gradually, I became more acquainted with the country’s situation and saw the urgency of having a scientific culture. Scholarly articles tell us that there is a strong, direct relationship between the scientific productivity and economic wealth of nations. Professor Caesar A. Saloma, dean of the UP College of Science, once noted that “the science community is the primary source of intellectual capital in an advanced society.”

I realized that because of the lack of a scientific culture, our growth as a nation has been stunted all these years. In both economic and scientific aspects, we are below par compared to other countries.

But how can we afford to develop such a culture if natural science is shunned by many? Most of us fall into the trap of thinking that science is only for the developed countries and has no place here because ours is a country that is so poor, or even “on the verge of a collapse,” that we cannot afford to compete globally, much less contribute new knowledge to the world.

But did you know that one of our very own scientists won the ICO Galileo Galilei Award, a very prestigious international award in optics, last 2004 while doing research right here in our country? Did you also hear about the Filipino scientist who was honored as Asean’s Most Outstanding Scientist and Technologist for 2008? It was not the first time a Filipino won that recognition.

At the IPL, I saw for myself how world-class Filipino researchers sacrificed precious time and effort to teach and guide students like me without earning extra pay. They could have easily gone abroad and worked for some big-time industry or university, like most Filipino professionals would do. But, what can I say? These are noble men and women. For them, money is not everything.

Competent mentors like them are necessary to inspire and lead diligent apprentices on the journey towards a rich scientific culture. Having them around inspires more and more young Filipinos to venture into the sciences and work here in our country. As Dr. Saloma put it, “They play a key role in slowing, if not reversing, the needless migration of Filipino scientific talent.”

It was only recently that I started to see the “big picture.” And I did not like it. As I said, I was a typical young Filipino and seeing the “big picture” just confused me some more. One day I thought I had my life all planned out: finish college, apply for work abroad, earn big. Suddenly, I found myself in limbo.

But why should I care about this rotten country when it doesn’t seem to care about me anyway? I tried to persuade myself to leave and work broad, as I had originally planned. It was futile. I couldn’t put away the idea of staying and “paying back.” It has already been embedded in my system. I didn’t even notice how it happened; it just hit me. I have realized that I couldn’t turn my back on something bigger than myself.

I have honorable mentors who dream of promoting change for the betterment of the country. Filipino scientists produce world-class works even under relatively unfavorable conditions, all for the love of country. They don’t complain about their low salaries or high taxes. They don’t march in the streets carrying and waving banners, asking for more government funds. They just make do with whatever the government has to offer and still produce excellent work.

Their patriotism is contagious. It makes me aspire to be like them. These teachers have stirred in me a love for country. I have seen a small spark of hope for science and for the nation.

My outlook may be outdated, especially at this time of the Filipino diaspora. But perhaps this is the most beautiful and romantic part about being young: We can afford to have the audacity to dream and envision a promising future ahead of us.

Erika Fille T. Legara, 24, is doing her doctorate in Physics at the National Institute of Physics in the University of the Philippines, Diliman, while teaching in the same institute.