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Growing up in the Philippines, some of my earliest memories consist of watching World War Two documentaries my dad gave me to enjoy at the age of three. I would be giving little lectures to my classmates in preschool about the exploits of General MacArthur, the battles of Bataan and Corregidor and the like. I trace these early events and interests as hooking me on to a love of learning.
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Outside of physics then, the ways I spend my time still revolve around this fundamental love for knowing more than I did yesterday.
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Budapest, Hungary
Tromsø, Norway
Travel
Perhaps the main lesson my late grandfather tried to instill in me is that travelling is part of education. I am extremely privileged to have thus far been able to act upon this lesson.
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Books, Movies, TV Shows, and Video Games
I have found that these forms of art can be deeply moving experiences, or sometimes just pure fun.
Since 2018, I have tried to read at least 30 books a year. These range from popular science, classic literature, science fiction, and the like. Some of my favorite books include The Unbearable Lightness of Being,
Pale Blue Dot, The War on Normal People, and others. I catalogue and write my thoughts on my reads on my Goodreads account.
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As with most people, I can easily get obsessed with following TV shows and having movie marathons. You can often find me rewatching Band of Brothers for the n-th time, or deciding to watch a 4 hour arthouse movie at 2 am. A small selection of movies that have moved me include Yi Yi, 2046, Seven Samurai, and La La Land. As with my books, I've started keeping a digital diary of the movies I watch on my Letterboxd account.
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I have also been playing video games since the PS One era. Recently, I have been spending my time on Ready or Not and Star Wars The Old Republic. My favorite games and game series include Freedom Fighters, Mass Effect, Assassin's Creed, and Call of Duty.
Debate
My family will tell you that my favorite pastime is correcting people. Late in high school, I was able to find a competitive outlet for this penchant of mine in British and Asian Parliamentary debating. I became a member of the Ateneo de Manila Senior High School Debate Organization and Varsity (ASHS Debaters) in my last year of high school. Entering college then, I joined the University of the Philippines Debate Society (UPDS). I spent all four years of my time as an undergraduate as a member of this organization.
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I am proud to also have some achievements to show for my time debating. I am an Asian Octofinalist (United Asian Debating Championship 2022), and National (National Debate Championship 2018 and 2019) breaking debater (qualifying for the finals series). I have also accrued multiple awards including being recognized as the 4th Best Speaker (Ateneo Intervarsity 2019, Katipunan Debate Open 2021), and 7th Best Speaker (Taiwan Debate Open 2019).
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Perhaps even more meaningful than my own debate achievements are the achievements of my students. Concurrent with my time debating for UPDS, I was employed as one of the debate coaches of the ASHS Debaters, my former high school debate society. I found that sharing my own talents and knowledge to eager learners was an extremely fulfilling and heart-warming experience. I am very much proud of having contributed at even a little to some of them becoming National Champions, winning the 2022 Cambridge Schools Finals Day, among numerous other accomplishments.
Star Wars
Unsatisfied with only our universe to deal with, I went along and became obsessed with the Star Wars Universe. And by obsessed I mean that I have read over a hundred Star Wars books, won multiple trivia contests, spent months of my life in-game over a number of Star Wars books, and I have a constantly growing collection of action figures and other merchandise.
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In addition to this, I even suit up as a Jedi for Fightsaber Philippines and the Rebel Legion, and as an Imperial Officer for the 501st Legion, which are all Lucasfilm-recognized organizations. As a member of these groups, I participate in geek conventions, movie premieres, and also charity events.
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One of the most fun parts of being a member of Fightsaber is that we specialize in lightsaber combat choreography, which we turn into performances at conventions.
