Kristine “Tin” Atienza has always looked to the stars, not just figuratively, but literally. Today, she is on a mission to become the first Filipino in space, and her campaign, #SERASpace, is making that vision tangible for the nation.
“I launched the #SERASpace campaign because I see it as the natural next step after my training,” Tin shares. “Having already been certified for suborbital flight and trained as an analog astronaut, I didn’t want to let the opportunity slip by to represent the Philippines on a global stage.” Her campaign, under the Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA), aims to democratize space access, making it possible for ordinary people, not just astronauts from superpowers, to explore the cosmos.
The vehicle at the heart of this opportunity is Blue Origin’s New Shepard. According to Tin, “New Shepard opens doors for countries like the Philippines because it lowers the barrier to entry in human spaceflight. Instead of waiting decades for a national space program to send someone, suborbital flights create a platform where individuals, researchers, and nations can participate today. It democratizes access, turning space from something only superpowers can reach into something inclusive, where emerging nations can contribute science, innovation, and representation.”
Crossing the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space, is more than a personal achievement for Tin; it is a historic moment for the Philippines. “Crossing the Kármán line would be deeply personal and historic. It would mean carrying the hopes of millions of Filipinos, not just as a passenger, but as someone who has prepared, trained, and looked for opportunities for us, worked for years to make this possible, and of course shared, and continued sharing the night sky to Filipinos and beyond,” she says. “Bringing the Philippine flag into space would symbolize breaking boundaries and affirming that our stories, our science, and our people belong in humanity’s journey to the stars.”
Tin emphasizes that the campaign’s success relies not only on her efforts but also on the collective support of Filipinos and Southeast Asians. “Filipinos can support by amplifying the campaign, sharing the message, and showing the world that there is a strong community behind this dream. Their support is crucial because this isn’t just about one person’s flight, it’s about proving that there is momentum and demand for greater inclusion of our region in space exploration. Every like, share, partnership, or resource offered adds weight to the campaign and brings us closer to that historic first.”
At its core, #SERASpace embodies the dream of a nation breaking the highest glass ceiling in history. Tin reflects, “For a country that has faced so many barriers, reaching space is the ultimate act of breaking the highest glass ceiling. But it’s not just about the physical milestone, it’s also about breaking the psychological barrier that has long kept us from believing we belong in space. No dream is too ambitious, no barrier too high, and no nation too small to take its place in history. If we succeed, it won’t just be my story, it will also be a milestone for the Philippines, proving to future generations that space is for all of us.”
Through #SERASpace, Tin Atienza is not only chasing a personal dream, but also inspiring a nation to look beyond limits, reach for the stars, and believe that space is not just for the few, but for every Filipino ready to take that leap.
