Dr. Marvic Alcantara displays the Philippine flag during the HI-SEAS mission at Mauna Loa Volcano in March 2024.

CAVITE - Thirty-one-year-old Dr. Marvic Alcantara etched his name in history as the second Filipino analog astronaut, venturing into a simulated lunar environment atop the Mauna Loa Volcano in Hawaii last March.

An analog astronaut participates in simulated space missions on Earth to replicate the challenging conditions experienced on other celestial bodies.

From a childhood dream of becoming both a doctor and an astronaut, Alcantara has pursued his passions relentlessly.

"Kasi nung bata ako dalawa ‘yung dino-drawing ko nu’n – either astronaut ‘yung suot ko or doktor. So ngayon pagsasamahin ko na siya... Hindi ko na siya mapaghiwalay ngayon, kasi ang best option ko ngayon is sabay ko na siya gawin," Alcantara said.

(When I was a child, I used to draw two things: either I wore an astronaut's suit or a doctor's coat. So now, I'm combining them... I can't separate them now because the best option for me is to do them both at the same time.)

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 He applied to the Hawai'i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS), a research station dedicated to simulating conditions for Mars and Moon exploration, where he became part of a six-member crew on a short six-day mission.

Dr. Marvic Alcantara. Photo courtesy of SALTY

MISSION ROLES

Assigned the role of medical officer and nutrition specialist, Alcantara's mission revolved around daily check-ups and ensuring the crew's well-being amidst the very low atmospheric pressure, which mimics conditions potentially encountered on the moon, and preparing for meals.

"Ako 'yung doktor… So ‘yung atmosphere, 'yung pressure... May chances kasi pwedeng ma-stroke, chest pains. So 'yun ‘yung binabantayan ko every day," he said.

(I'm the doctor; with the atmospheric pressure, there are chances of having a stroke, chest pains. So that's what I monitor every day.)

"Ang naging problem ko du’n vegan kasi 'yung dalawang crewmate ko. Unang-una ‘di ako sanay magluto ng vegan food pero nakapag-adjust naman," he added.

(The problem I encountered there was that two of my crewmates were vegan. I wasn't used to cooking vegan food but I managed to adjust.)

The simulation included a lunar gravity walk, replicating the reduced gravity environment of the moon.

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"So katulad ko, 80 kilos ako; 'yung feeling nun para ka lang 20, 30 (kilos) so iba 'yung feeling ng gaang," he said.

(I weigh 80 kilograms but it felt like I only weighed 20 or 30 kilograms. The sensation of lightness is different.)

Alcantara said that mission controls may tamper with equipment, disrupt internet connections, or drain batteries. However, for their team, the simulation turned into a genuine ordeal.

"Sa amin kasi ‘di nasiraan ng mission control, naubusan talaga kami ng battery nu’ng Day 4. Wala kaming kuryente du’n umaasa lang kami sa solar panel so nung tumaas na yung araw unti unti nang pumapalo yung battery namin," he said.

(For us, mission control didn't tamper with anything, but we ran out of battery on Day 4. We didn't have electricity there; we just relied on solar panels, so as the sun rose, our battery gradually charged.)

"‘Pag wala kasi kaming heater 'yung 10 degrees [Celsius] namin bababa pa siya so umabot yata kami sa seven or 6 [degrees Celsius]. Sobrang hirap talaga nu’n. Sobrang lamig so panic lahat," he added.

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(When we didn't have a heater, our temperature, which was at 10 degrees [Celsius], felt colder possibly reaching seven or six. It was really difficult. It was so cold, so everyone panicked.)

Dr. Marvic Alcantara displays the Philippine flag during the HI-SEAS mission at Mauna Loa Volcano in March 2024.

PUBLIC SERVICE AND SCIENCE

Currently working as a doctor in a public hospital in Batanes, Alcantara finds deep satisfaction in his role of serving others.

"Promise ko 'yun kay Lord na kapag nakapasa ako ng board exam, hanap ako ng malayong lugar na walang doktor masyado. Kaya ngayon mas gusto kong mag-serve sa public," he said.

(My promise to the Lord was that if I pass the board exam, I will seek out remote areas with fewer doctors. That's why now I prefer to serve in the public sector.)

For Alcantara, the priceless reward of making a positive difference in his patient's lives far outweighs any monetary compensation.

"Masaya nakikita mo sila, nagmo-motor na ulit, naglalakad na ulit 'yung mga matatanda. Nakikita mo bumabati sila, 'Hi, doc, okay na ako.' Masaya ‘yung feeling ‘pag ganun," he said.

(It's rewarding to see them riding motorcycles again, the elderly walking again. You see them greeting you, 'Hi, doc, I'm okay now.' It's a happy feeling when that happens.)

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Alcantara reflected on the challenges of promoting scientific pursuits and finds joy in advocating for the accessibility of scientific endeavors to Filipinos.

"Mahirap talagang i-market 'yung science. Iisipin talaga ng mga parents, 'Anong kikitain mo diyan ‘pag naging astronomer ka?' Tapos hindi naman laging supportive ang government sa research kasi ng science, eh," he said.

(It's really difficult to market science. Parents would ask, 'What will you earn from being an astronomer?' And the government isn't always supportive of science research.)

"Masaya ako na na-ma-market namin 'yung science na kaya ng Pinoy na gawin 'yung mga ganitong bagay hindi lang 'yung mga malalakas ng Asian countries," he added.

(I'm happy that we're able to market science showing that Filipinos can do these things, not just the larger Asian countries.)