Angelica Reign C. Esmeria is an incoming fourth-year student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biology with an emphasis in Microbiology at Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) – Sta. Mesa, Manila. During her summer term, she was one of the 14 students from the Microbiology track of PUP to undergo their internship at the University of the Philippines Los Baños Museum of Natural History (UPLB MNH) from the 8th of August to the 19th of September 2022, in completion of their BIOL 40023: Laboratory Apprenticeship course requirement.
Like a typical kid, Reign dreamt of becoming a doctor—a dream she didn’t realize she wanted until she experienced life in a province where medical care was hard to obtain and children weren’t given proper medications and vaccinations. She also did volunteer work with her family before the pandemic, something she would want to do again in the future. In her spare time, she enjoys reading romance and mystery novels, watching Korean dramas and documentaries, and spending time with her family.
One of the reasons why she chose the Biology program was for the field and laboratory work. However, with the pandemic as a hindrance, they were given little chance to learn more skills, practices, and techniques besides the basics that can be necessary for their future endeavors. Initially disappointed with the online set-up for the internship, she was thrilled to know that she was allowed to be an intern at the UPLB MNH, an esteemed organization known for its contributions to Philippine biodiversity.
Her time at UPLB-MNH’s Mycology Herbarium and Microbiology Culture Collections (MCC) departments was filled with valuable new information from different lecturers and supervisors. She got to use and improve her writing, communication, and creativity skills from all the activities they were given—fundamental skills she can use for her academics and future career. The learnings she acquired as an intern, which she’ll make sure to put to good use, will forever be embedded in her mind. She is forever grateful to all the people who have been a part of her memorable internship experience.