It’s been almost a week since I got back from Davao, but I’ve yet to write anything down about the OpenStreetMap activities we had there. So, here’s a quick round-up:

“Open Source Mapping” with Tambayan Center

“Is the Bermuda Triangle for real?”

This is the most interesting question I got from this workshop!

This mapping project was in the pipeline since the middle of 2017 when Tambayan Center sent me a query over email, and it just happened that I was also in Davao at that time. I dropped-by (and, of course, mapped ) their office to get their feet wet about OSM, and maps in general, and listen to details of what they’re trying to do. Tambayan Center is a long-standing NGO operating in Davao and working mostly with concerns and rights of young people, and their communities.

Breaking ~~bread~~ ice cream and chips with the Tambayan Center team during my last visit

It was fun working along-side Jen, and engage a younger set of volunteers (ages: 11-18) with a fresh style. She’s a passionate mother, and advocates for womens’ rights in various ways, apart from working with geo-stuff.

Tambayan Center workshop activities: Editing, Field work, Community validation, Fun

Expect a more detailed write-up soon. Right, Jen? I’m looking forward to seeing that. I hope you do, too.

Mapping with OpenStreetMap x Ateneo de Davao University

Mr. Glenn Depra of Ateneo de Davao University organized a workshop for faculty members of the university, with their Social Research Training and Development Office hosting the affair. This was originally intended as a workshop that would be made open to the public, but due to last minute hitches, we decided to defer offering it for another time.

The workshop included a general coverage of available (Free software), editing tools, data collection , and how to make use of OSM data, including Q&A segments for specific concerns.

Some of the participants were also from a group people Maning Sambale met during a mapping party back in 2009. They are surprised to find out that many of major map features added on OSM stems back from that mapping party made almost 9 years ago.

The Ateneo community is enthusiastic about helping promote OpenStreetMap (and Open data) not just for their academic pursuits, but also to engage other communities and organizations in Davao.

Instant meet-up with a local mapper

With my luggage in tow, coming in late from another meeting, and off to another afterwards.

Whenever I’m tramping about, I try to connect with local mappers, and chat about maps, open data, and free software. Of course, this often leads to (hours of) talking about so many other things. It’s good meeting you, Alex, and I hope we’d see you in another workshop soon.