To sync all time pieces in the country’s more than 7,100 islands, the Department of Science and Technology with several partners will unveil at 7:00 PM tonight a clock prototype that displays the Philippine Standard Time. Dubbed “Juan Time”, DOST’s campaign aims to promote the nationwide use of the PST (hence “Juan Time”, a word play on “One Time” and “Juan” being the common name for Filipinos) and sync timepieces with the PST.
“Time is a resource that is very important but often overlooked,” said DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo. “Other than its social and economic value, time is something that can unite us as Filipinos.”
“Juan Time reminds Filipinos that keeping to the PST avoids the difficulties of having confusing, unsynchronized time,” Montejo added.
Established decades ago, the PST is set by DOST’s Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the country’s official timekeeper since 1978 as mandated by Section 6 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 8.
The PST is set via DOST-PAGASA’s timing system that consists of rubidium atomic clock, Global Positioning System receiver, time interval counter, distribution amplifier, and a computer. The system automatically calculates its time difference with every satellite within its antenna’s field of view. The PST is available online at the DOST-PAGASA website (http://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph).
“We encourage the broadcast networks to refer to the PST when giving time check to the public,” said Montejo.
At Juan Time’s official launch 7:00 PM tonight at the Music Hall of the SM Mall of Asia. DOST and its partners Metro Manila Development Authority, SM Supermalls, Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center, Timex, Petron, Chevrolet, Sagitarrius Mining Corporation, Team Manila, Lamoiyan Corporation, PICAR, and AMA Universities, as well as media partners Discovery Channel, BusinessWorld and PTNI, will lead the nation in synchronizing time pieces with the PST. The JCI Senate Philippines, proponent of Project WATCH (We Advocate Time Consciousness & Honesty) also supports the campaign.
Vice President Jejomar Binay will keynote the launch. Special guests include DOST Secretary Mario Montejo, PCOO Secretary Sonny Coloma, Bam Aquino, Tony Meloto, and Albert Gamboa, among others. Exhibits, film showing, and performances will be held from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM at the venue. The public is invited to check out the launch and take part in this nationwide campaign. Musician-educator Jim Paredes will host the event.
