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Filipinos on Mars? Pinoy futurists weigh in


The earth's continuously growing population and depleting resources have led many to believe that humankind's future is in the stars—spread out in the galaxy in search of other planets to live on when we can no longer call Earth our home.

In fact, some might say that the stellar diaspora is inevitable, the only viable option for humanity's continued existence.
 
But the sojourn into space begins, like all journeys, with that all-important first step.
 
Mars One intends to take that first step by giving one-way tickets to establish a permanent human settlement in our neighboring red planet starting in 2024, exactly 10 years from now.

Several Filipinos have been chosen as prospective candidates for the tripThey will now have to undergo rigorous tests, including simulations of life on Mars and coping with isolation, according to the project's co-founder, Bas Lansdorp.
 
 
“The idea of living on Mars is exciting. Even before considering the practical aspects of it (colonizing the planet, terraforming, things like that) just the opportunity for exploration and expansion could send anyone's imagination flying,” said Carljoe Javier, author of Geek Tragedies and teacher at the University of the Philippines, Diliman.
 
OFWs in outer space
 
So what would happen if, in the future, Filipinos do become part of the first human colony sent to Mars?
 
For blogger and Demons of the New Year co-editor Joseph Nacino, soon-to-be Filipino-Martians will most likely be similar to Filipino expats, workers, and immigrats.
 
“Given that Filipinos will now become a permanent fixture on Mars, they will-- like their brothers and sisters in different countries-- mash up their sensibilities with the prevailing sensibilities of their new home. Or in this case, the developing Martian sensibilities,” he said.
 
“They'll probably start to think of themselves as the new Fil-Martians, in the same way Filipinos in America see themselves as Fil-Ams.'
 
They will bring with them their skill sets and work experience, as well as their hopes and dreams. They might take pride in being the first Filipinos to live outside Earth, it can only “take (them) so far” when survival in the harsh environment of their new home is top priority.
 
“Filipinos will be Filipinos wherever they go, and Filipino immigrants and OFWs will be the same, whatever planet: they will adapt and they will be good go-to people because of their resourcefulness and ingenuity in making do with what they have,” Nacino said.
 
“And yes, expect Filipinos to crack jokes while under pressure because that's how we Filipinos roll even in our country.”
 
Fil-Martians calling home
 
Given their generally “cheerful disposition and empathetic nature”, Nacino believes that Filipinos will get along with other members of their spaceship crew.
 
“I don't know if they will become future leaders in Mars but they'll definitely be good supporters of their leaders. Maybe in the long-run, once they've gained enough confidence and their fellow crew see how capable they are, they will become future leaders.”
 
The only difference between Earth OFWs and Fil-Martians, however, might be the limited time the latter will have to talk to their families back on Earth due to limited communication resources—to say nothing of delays due to the distance that radio waves need to travel between planets.
 
But that's the life they will choose, and they will stick by it.
 
Building a new Filipino culture
 
But Ateneo de Davao University teacher Dominique Cimafranca believes quite differently. Should a Filipino get chosen to become one of the first human occupants of Mars, she will bring with her the “psychological and personal makeup” and “the product of conditioning of her culture,” he said. These will be at play in team dynamics within their small mission group.
 
“For instance, Filipinos are generally non-confrontational, self-effacing, and consensus-driven, but only up to a point.That's part of our cultural baggage. That affects the relationships with other crew members,” he said.
 
Cimafranca keeps a healthy dose of skepticism against the endeavor:
 
“Mars One may be hot copy right now, but it's really more of a gimmick than anything else. I'm doubtful if the project will really take off (pardon the pun) following the timeline they intend,” he said.
 
In any case, Cimafranca believes that when humans do eventually colonize a new planet, they will need to “obliterate (their) old cultures in order to build a new one.” He looks to science fiction writer Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy for ideas about how this might unfold. 
 
 
“Is there any good reason for the colonists to hold on to the conventions of their past, conventions that might, for instance, lead to misunderstanding and conflict? They might call up old memories on those lonely nights when they're feeling nostalgic and regretful, but other than that, they'll will serve no purpose in their new environment,” he said.
 
“I think there is a kind of delicious irony in that if we Filipinos do take part in a grand journey to Mars, this would be the first time that we Filipinos would be colonizers rather than the colonizees,” said Nacino. — TJD, GMA News
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