Joel Villasenor, a 63-year-old astrophysicist, has always harbored a dream of space exploration since childhood. His aspiration now is to witness the first Filipino journey to space in the proper manner.

As a young boy in 1969, Villasenor watched the historic moon landing on television and was immediately captivated. This pivotal moment ignited his ambition to become an astronaut and led him to pursue his education diligently.

Despite challenges such as poor eyesight and the lack of civilian astronauts at the time, Villasenor remained steadfast in his goal. He completed his schooling in the Philippines before venturing to the US for further studies in physics at the California Institute of Technology.

Over the years, Villasenor has been involved in various space exploration projects, including the creation and launch of the High Energy Transient Explorer (HETE-2) to study gamma-ray bursts. Currently, he is part of a team searching for exoplanets beyond our solar system through the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite.

During a recent visit to the Philippines under a Fulbright grant, Villasenor engaged in consultations for the Philippine Space Agency's satellite initiatives and conducted lectures on space exploration across the country.

Reflecting on the commercialization of space travel, Villasenor emphasizes the importance of approaching this endeavor with integrity and national pride. He believes that the first Filipino in space will be celebrated as a hero and advocates for a thoughtful and strategic approach to the nation's space aspirations.

As space exploration becomes more accessible, Villasenor's vision for the future of Filipino astronauts remains grounded in a commitment to doing things 'the right way.'