Fil-Am NASA scientist launches book on Sept. 27

Fil-Am doctor of Manual Physical Therapy and very much sought-after motivational speaker-turned NASA scientist Dr. Jojo Sayson flew into town to launch his first book.

 

His debut outing Springboard to Heaven: The Jojo Sayson Adventure will be launched at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 27 at Powerbooks Greenbelt, located at Level 2, Greenbelt 4, Makati Avenue, Makati City.

 

The book is a biography/ autobiography co-authored and edited by the four-time New York bestselling author and movie director James Riordan.  Riordan’s bestsellers include: Break on Through (a  biography of  The Doors lead singer Jim Morrison), The Platinum Rainbow, The Bishop of Rwanda,  and The Coming of the Walrus.

 

Among those who will be part of the program are Ms. Southern Illinois Sherrie Gearheart, Informatics CEO and President Leo Riingen, and wilderness rescue and expedition physician Dr. Ted Esguerra. All three and Sayson are officers of Project Michelangelo Foundation, which helps children with cancer and debilitating diseases. Ms. Pinky Aseron will host the program. Ms. Aseron is a freelance voice-over talent for radio and television commercials and a senior lecturer at the UP College of Mass Communications. 

 

Of the book, Astronaut Mike Mullane, author of Riding Rockets, The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut, says”…Everybody has something to learn from Jojo Sayson’s biography. It’s a roller coaster ride through heartache and joy; despair and hope; challenge and success.” Arriving in the USA as a naive immigrant, Jojo stitched himself into the tapestry that is America…and used gold thread to do so! He’s a shining example of self-fulfillment in the face of very long odds. Be inspired!” 

 

“The story of Jojo Sayson is one of the quintessential American dreams. Not of fame, power or financial wealth. It’s a journey of spirit that is inspirational and motivational and shows how anyone can achieve their dreams with dedication,” concludes Don Kramer, DC Comics bestselling artist of Wonder Woman and Batman.

 

With Dr. Alan Hargens as co-author, Mr. Sayson wrote "Pathophysiology of Low Back pain During Exposure to Microgravity," a scientific paper for NASA concerning the problem of astronauts developing back pain in space. It was published in Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine, the official journal of the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA) as the lead article for Vol. 79, #4, April 2008 issue.

 

Sayson became established in the scientific community and his work on this aspect of physical therapy is now used for reference by scientists worldwide. Through prolonged perseverance, careful research and consultation with established experts in the various fields involved, Sayson had helped solve a problem that has plagued astronauts since the beginning of space travel.  

Dr. Sayson recently became part of an elite team of scientists for the NASA Human Research Program at the University of California, San Diego. Their team is doing a study on probable causes of back pain in astronauts aboard the International Space Station. Sayson is a current applicant for the NASA astronaut corps Mission Specialist job opening for 2013.

 

The partners of the event are Informatics College, Project Michelangelo Foundation, Agimat and Powerbooks.  There are limited seats. For reservations, please text Veron @ 0932.859.9098 or Susan @0917.5418260.