The Future is Female and Fluid: Inside nuLab’s High-Stakes Mission to Transform STEM

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

On February 11, 2026, a mobile laboratory—a gleaming beacon of opportunity known as nuLab—rolled onto the grounds of the Philippine Science High School in Diliman. This wasn't just another school visit; it was a high-octane celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, turning a mobile classroom into a crucible where curiosity met real-world expertise.

A Laboratory on Wheels

nuLab is far more than a vehicle; it is an immersive experience designed to bridge the gap between abstract textbooks and the living pulse of scientific discovery. For students from San Francisco and Quezon City Science High Schools, the day offered a rare, front-row seat to the minds of the Philippines’ leading female scientists.

The sessions weren't just lectures—they were deep dives into the forces that shape our world:

The Power of the Atom: Dr. Vallerie Ann Samson (DOST-PNRI) demystified nuclear science, revealing how it quietly sustains our lives through medicine, energy, and agriculture.

The Pulse of the Earth: Dr. Pamela Louise Tolentino brought the outdoors in, teaching students that rivers are not just water, but dynamic, living systems that dictate the survival of entire ecosystems.

The Blueprint for Success: Dr. Sheryl Lyn Monterola (UP NISMED) moved beyond the "what" of science to the "how," guiding students through the psychological architecture of a STEM identity.

Breaking the "Invisible" Barrier

The true drama of the day unfolded during the scientists' personal reflections. They spoke of a world where being a woman in a lab often meant being the first to speak and the only one in the room.

“In many conferences I’ve attended, I often felt the need to be the first woman to raise a question,” shared Dr. Samson. “Once one woman speaks up, others tend to follow.” 

This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Tolentino and Dr. Monterola, who emphasized that scientific brilliance isn't a lightning strike—it’s the consistency of pushing through setbacks and the courage to take up space in rooms that weren't originally built for you.

Why This Journey Matters

In a country where resources can be scarce and infrastructure limited, STEM often feels like a distant dream for many young Filipinos . nuLab’s mission is to shatter that distance. By bringing world-class scientists directly to the students, the program proves that science doesn't just live in a textbook—it lives in their communities and their questions.

As nuLab continues its 2026 tour across the Philippines, it carries a vital message: Science is not an elite club. It is an open invitation for every young mind to explore, imagine, and ultimately, become the innovators of tomorrow.

Filipino short film on disinformation competes at Grifo Int’l Filmfest in Italy

Wazzup Pilipinas?!




Out of more than 1,800 global entries, Richard Soriano Legaspi’s short film “Panulukan” (Crossroads) was recently selected to compete at the Grifo International Film Festival in Italy.

The film, which tackles the heavy themes of disinformation and the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, was screened at the Teatro Comunale Tullio Giacconi in the town of Chiaravalle, within the Province of Ancona in the Marche region of Italy.

The narrative follows four strangers traveling home to Manila who discover they are on entirely opposed paths. Two are paid trolls defending the state’s brutal campaign, while the other two are staunch critics of the violence.

Legaspi’s work explores the dangerous polarization of Filipinos on social media and the exploitation of online networks to fuel disinformation.

“I see this film as a mirror held up to our society, urging us to reflect on the impact of our digital choices,” Legaspi shared. “Cinema possesses the unique strength to trigger social transformation and advocate for digital rights. If we use this platform wisely, we can drive the significant change our community needs.”

Starring Kelvin Vistan, Reiner Grospe, Jeremy Mayores, and Maricel Manuntag, the short film was developed as a competitive grant recipient of EngageMedia’s Tech Tales: Films about Digital Rights in the Asia-Pacific in 2021.

“In an era shadowed by historical distortion and insidious misinformation, this story can act as a guide for our moral compass,” the filmmaker added. “It’s about finding our way through the fog of uncertainty.”

This selection marks a significant return to Italy for the film, which was previously part of the Ways of Becoming Exhibition at UNIDEE 2024. Legaspi, a former UNESCO Laureate scholarship recipient and resident artist at the Università delle Idee, holds a deep-rooted connection to the country.

Legaspi emphasized the role of the creative community, “As storytellers and visionaries, our bravery in exposing the truth today will ultimately define the history we leave behind. I hope this work inspires other artists to use their voices to amplify what is real and just.”

Beyond “Panulukan,” Legaspi is currently developing the full-length narrative “The Legend of the Wild Rose Mallow,” which has been selected as one of the 20 semifinalists of the first-ever ISAPELIKULA, the new film funding and lab program of the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and was developed through the FDCP’s CreatePH Scriptwriting Lab.

Produced by Red Room Media Productions in collaboration with Engaged Media, “Panulukan” previously competed at the 15th EDUKINO-Empowering Film Festival in Poland, an event renowned for showcasing socially conscious cinema.

Legaspi is an interdisciplinary artist whose work focuses on communal issues and social transformation. A graduate of the University of the East Caloocan and a fellow of the Asian Film Academy in Busan, his work has been showcased in major galleries across France, Peru, Germany, and Taiwan.

The Walls Come Down: Ateneo Research Breaks Free into the Heart of the City

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 

In a powerful move to dismantle the "ivory tower" of academia, Ateneo de Manila University has officially breached the institutional walls, bringing its prestigious research journals directly into the hands of the public. Through a significant second wave of journal donations, the university has integrated its scholarly treasures into the bustling shelves of the Quezon City Public Library, transforming exclusive academic work into a community resource.

Bridging Two Worlds

For decades, high-level research on Philippine society, culture, and history has been largely "housed within university spaces," accessible primarily to those with a campus ID. This initiative changes the narrative. By placing nearly a hundred copies of renowned publications into a shared community space, Ateneo is bridging the gap between formal academic rigor and the "everyday learning" of local residents and independent learners.

The turnover ceremony featured key figures from both institutions, marking a unified front for democratic education:

Ramil Balubal (Journals Support Supervisor) and Alexandra Jill Dela Cruz (Journals Assistant) represented Ateneo de Manila University.

Ms. Manica M. Cortes (Head of Technical Services Division) represented the Quezon City Public Library.

The Collection: A Wealth of Knowledge

The donation isn't just a gesture; it is a massive infusion of diverse, interdisciplinary intellect into the public sphere. The journals now available to the public include:

Philippine Studies: Historical and Ethnographic Viewpoints

Budhi: A Journal of Ideas and Culture

Perspective in the Arts and Humanities

Social Transformations: Journal of the Global South

Journal of Management for Global Sustainability

A Mission Beyond the Classroom

This collaboration reflects a "shared vision" to foster a deep-rooted culture of inquiry and informed discussion throughout the city. By moving research from the confinement of the classroom to a library frequented by a diverse audience, Ateneo is fulfilling its broader commitment to community development and public discourse.

The Quezon City Public Library, a known champion of inclusive education, now stands as a primary gateway for any citizen—student or researcher alike—to engage with the highest level of scholarly thought in the country.

Interested in Collaboration?

For Institutional Partnerships & Donations: Contact Alexandra Jill Dela Cruz at ardelacruz@ateneo.edu.

Learn More: Explore the latest innovations at archium.ateneo.edu.