by Mark Justin Antiquera

Francis Carl O. Villalino is a third-year Electrical Engineering Student from the Eastern Visayas State University, who recently completed his internship with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities – RE-Charge Pilipinas team in Tacloban City.

As a student with no prior knowledge of and experience in solar technology, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work in ICSC’s RE-Charge Pilipinas (RCP) team, where I was warmly welcomed not just as an intern but as a valued colleague, and given space to learn and experience firsthand ICSC’s important work.

With the guidance of our mentors Sirs Glinly Alvero and Orlando Quesada, Ma’am Jessa Margallo Zosa, and ICSC Director for Community Resilience Sir Arturo Tahup, we [interns] gained invaluable knowledge and experiences that we will carry with us into our future careers.

I was hoping that my time at ICSC would provide me with practical experience in electrical work, and I am pleased to say that my expectations have been fully met. The ICSC-RCP Workshop is well-equipped with all the necessary tools and materials for electrical tasks. Sir Glinly played a crucial role in teaching us how to use the welding machine; he encouraged us to practice freely, building our confidence to explore and enhance our skills. He also introduced us to the Solar TekPak, one of ICSC’s most innovative projects: a solar-powered device that can supply electricity through a combination of solar panels and a battery. It is designed to be kept in a portable suitcase, making it easy to carry, deploy, and use during disasters or emergencies when a community experiences a power outage. This makes it an invaluable tool for ensuring reliable access to electricity when it is needed most.

Additionally, one of the most significant highlights of my internship was learning how to design, assemble, and install the Solar Charging Station, which ICSC donated to the Kapuso Village Integrated School (KVIS) in the GMA Kapuso Village in Northern Tacloban. I will always cherish this learning experience and carry it into my future career as an electrical engineer.

Unlike the brief overviews that are typically provided to students in school, this project was eye-opening; it gave me deep insights and hands-on experience to better understand the components, processes, circuit design, and calculations in setting up the Solar Charging Station. I learned how to calculate the exact wattage required for each system component, including inverters, solar chargers, batteries, wires, and solar panels. Now, I feel more confident in my ability to design and implement solar power systems independently, a skill that will be invaluable in my future career. Moreover, the knowledge and experience I’ve gained will be extremely beneficial as I start working on my thesis. With the insights I’ve obtained, I aim to develop or innovate on a research project centered around solar technology, potentially leading to new and impactful solutions.

Finally, the most valuable lesson I learned during my internship and on-the-job training at ICSC-RCP is the importance of renewable energy. Throughout our time there, our mentors emphasized the significance of using renewable resources, like solar energy, and adopting renewable energy solutions, such as solar panels, that can have a profound impact not only on our society but on the entire planet. Harnessing solar power provides free electricity to people and communities, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels like coal. By embracing renewable energy, we can reduce our reliance on harmful practices and work towards a cleaner, healthier world.

I’m grateful for serving my short but impactful internship at ICSC-RCP. The experiences and memories I’ve gained will be treasured forever, and I hope to have the opportunity to work with ICSC’s RE-Charge Pilipinas again in the future.