Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines

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Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines (GSUP)
Established	February 1963
Headquarters	Palma Hall, University of the Philippines, Diliman Quezon City, Philippines 1101
Home College	College of Social Sciences and Philosophy
Online Resources	Facebook Page Twitter Feed Philippine Geography Olympiad Geog Ride
Executive Committee A.Y. 2015-2016
President	Mark Angelo V. Cagampan
Vice President for Internal Affairs	Czeskian Z. Realo
Vice President for External Affairs	Kimberly R. Go Tian
Secretary General	Ma. Sarina I. Magdales
Academic Committee Head	Kenneth D. Gesmundo
Finance Committee Head	Hanna Camille G. Aguilon
Events and Publicity Committee Head	Marvin Joshua S. Nombrado
Faculty Advisers	Dr. Darlene Occeña-Gutierrez Atty. Lourdes A. Benipayo Jonathan M. Villasper

The Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines (GSUP) is an academic, college based organization from the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), composed of individuals that are driven together with a common goal and passion of making Geography better known. The Society aims to unite the members through its principles and objectives: to promote the science of Geography and the practice of geographic inquiry in the Filipino context, and to develop camaraderie and enhance scholastic excellence among Geography majors and students from other disciplines.

History

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In the year 1963, the Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines (GSUP) was established by a number of great minds in the then Department of Geology and Geography; lead by Ricardo S. Domingo, Jr. (B.S. Geography ’65), the society’s founder and first president. After only nine years of existence, the organization faced challenges that brought it to a period of uncertainty and stasis. The political repression caused by the declaration of Martial Law in 1972 forced the disappearance of activities of academic organizations in the University. In the year 1980 however, through the leadership of Darlene Gutierrez (BS Geography ’83) GSUP abled to regain its strength. At that time, every Geography Major was a member of the organization aside from Geography enthusiasts from other disciplines.

In 1983, during the time when the College of Arts and Sciences had dissolved into three Colleges, the Geography section decided to detach from the Department of Geology and Geography and establish a separate Department in the newly formed College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) as a remark of most faculty members' and graduates' inclination to the Social Sciences. Following the Department of Geography, GSUP from then on based in CSSP.

In the mid-1990’s, GSUP experienced a brief hiatus in its activities following the graduation of the members of its Executive Committee in 1996. During Jonas Gaffud’s presidency in 1997, activities and recruitment of new members for the organization was resumed and intensified. In less than a year, the organization regained its dominant position as the only undergraduate organization in the Department of Geography. Under the presidency of Angelica Geronimo in 2007, GSUPtember, an activity-filled month of September, was implemented apart from the annual week-long anniversary celebration during the month of February.

Through the years the organization has been improving and incessantly bearing witness through its projects that promote the science of Geography. Guided by its organizational principles, GSUP has remained an instrument in moulding its members to become excellent individuals in the discipline and in the society.

GSUP was, and still is, a home for most of the members of the Geography Department Faculty in the recent past. At present, The Organization is also known for the student leaders it has awakened. Since 1992, the Organization has provided fourteen Geography department representatives, seven councilors, and two vice chairpersons in the CSSP Student Council. Until now, GSUP is still carrying its goal of producing individuals of principles and values. GSUP aims to give its members a training ground for leadership, a space for self-improvement and countless opportunities to understand the discipline. On average for every year the UP Department of Geography has been existing, a GSUP Resident Member graduates with honors. Five out of six Magna Cum Laude BS Geography graduates are GSUP Alumni.

Recently, the organization successfully conducted two new projects. The GeogRide and the first inter-high school Geography quiz bee in the country, the Philippine Geography Olympiad. In the near future, GSUP hopes to provide new and/or enhanced projects that would help the students realize the importance of Geography.

In February 2012, the Alumni Association of the Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines Inc. (GSUP Alumni Inc.) was formally registered in the Securities and Exchange Commission to establish an association that would maintain connections among the Alumni Members of the GSUP. The following December, GSUP Alumni Inc. was recognized as an Organization-Based Chapter of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA). Among the projects of the GSUP Alumni Inc., in cooperation with the GSUP and the UP Department of Geography, are the Philippine Geospatial Forum and the Philippine Geospatial Congress.

Geography

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The organization's official tambayan or headquarters is located at the southernmost pillars and benches of the AS 101 area. To its east is the Rizal Garden; to the west the back entrance of the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater and AS 101; to the south the AS Walk, Antas and Alpha Phi Omega.

Committees and Members

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Residents A.Y. 2016-2017 1st Semester
President
Marvin Justin Nombrado
Membership Committee
Lyalee Tiongson
Hannah Angelica Makilan
Nikki Alen Pasaje
Julienard Marie Deloso
Patricia Algura
External Affairs Committee
Paolo Jay Capio
Dan Christian Handig
Beatrice Eula Angala
Ryan Nigel Baje
Xyzra Kyte Bober
Records Committee
Diana Rizz Araña
Ma. Sarina Magdales
Karen Angela Dela Cruz
Academic Committee
Hanz Cesar Alejandria
Roi Anton Boribor
Kyle Vincent Singson
Carole Anne Alilio
Hanna Camille Aguilon
Finance Committee
Mark Aimon Pangan
Angelo Mari Pascual
Bianca Mari Licup
Lianne Acoba
Events and Publicity Committee
Annalie Agad
Jianne Mae Pamintuan
Beatrice Patricia Lim
Conrado Bataller Jr.
Christine Joy Timoteo

Distinguished Members and Alumni

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• Ricardo S. Domingo Jr. - Founder, Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines
• Darlene O. Gutierrez, Ph.D. - Former Chair, Department of Geography, University of the Philippines Diliman
• Jonas A. Gaffud - President & Manager, Mercator Artist & Model Mgt

Activities and Events

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GeogRide

Official GeogRide logo

The Geog Ride is a semestral event spearheaded by the Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines (GSUP). During the past years, GSUP has taken students to different places such as Pangasinan, Bataan, Zambales, and Batangas to provide experiences outside the classroom. The Geog Ride has been providing students an opportunity to gauge their understanding of the lessons, test the skills they have learned during class discussions, and apply them in real world scenarios. It also aims to make them perceptive specifically on the need for proper resource management and the advantages of a sustainable tourism.

The event involves three main activities: the GeogReview, which allows the students to participate in an educational tour and discussion featuring the geography and culture of the selected province, the GeogRace, which incorporates the concepts learned from the GeogReview to a fun and challenging amazing race, and the GeogRelax, wherein the participants can unwind and enjoy the recreational activities prepared by their hosts. The GeogRide is dedicated to developing the appreciation for the science of Geography, unfolding a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship among UP students, and promoting the Philippines’ beautiful landscapes and its genuine culture.

Philippine Geography Olympiad

Official Philippine Geography Olympiad logo

The premier nationwide inter-high school Geography quizbee presented by the organization recognized by the International Geography Olympiad (iGEO) of the International Geographical Union. The competition aims to:

• Promote the discipline of Geography among high school students
• Introduce Geography as a discipline that deals with the study of the earth as one home, and a possible career path where students are taught skills in analyzing geographic patterns observed on the Earth’s surface, as well as understanding human-environment interactions
• Provide a venue for high school geography enthusiasts to share their knowledge and interests in geography.

External Links

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Facebook Page
Twitter Feed
Philippine Geography Olympiad
Geog Ride