Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines

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Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines (UP GeogSoc)
Established	February 2, 1963
Organization Type	Academic
Membership	College-wide
Headquarters	Pavilion 2, Palma Hall, University of the Philippines, Diliman Quezon City, Philippines 1101
Home College	College of Social Sciences and Philosophy
Online Resources	Facebook Page Twitter Page Official Website Philippine Geography Olympiad IAYG Website 10th PGO Article Geog Ride
Executive Committee A.Y. 2022-2023
President	Rey Edward E. Dimacuha
Vice President for Internal Affairs	Mark L. Bueza
Vice President for External Affairs	Angel Nichole R. Nate
Vice President for Membership	Arjan Dave E. Alfeche
Vice President for Academics and Research	Marvin Joshua M. Estacio
Vice President for Publicity	Janica Kylle V. De Guzman
Vice President for Finance	Nathanael Kent E. Rondario
Faculty Advisers	Dominique Sasha N. Amorsolo Maria Celeste H. Hermida

The Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines (UP GeogSoc) 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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The Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines, also known as UP GeogSoc (formerly abbreviated as GSUP), was founded on 02 February 1963 as The Geographic Society University of the Philippines by Ricardo S. Domingo, Jr. at the UP Diliman College of Arts and Sciences under the Department of Geology and Geography. Ricardo S. Domingo, Jr. also served as the organization’s first president. For a time, during the 1990s, the organization was also once known as The Geographical Society of U.P.

UP GeogSoc’s first faculty adviser was Dr. Domingo C. Salita, who was also the first professor of Geography to serve as the chairperson of the UP Department of Geology and Geography, and one of the pioneers of the discipline of Geography in the country. UP GeogSoc was initially a social club for Geography majors during its early years but has since evolved to become an academic organization composed of individuals who are driven together by the passion of making Geography a better-known discipline in the country and developing the practice of geographic inquiry, particularly in the Philippine context. It is guided by four main principles: academic excellence, camaraderie, service, and advocacy.

In 1972, after only 9 years of existence, UP GeogSoc, along with the other student organizations in UP during that time, was forced to suspend its activities due to the declaration of Martial Law and the ban on student organizations. UP GeogSoc was revived and its activities resumed in 1980 under the leadership of Darlene Occeña-Gutierrez after almost 8 years of inactivity. On 26 October 1983, when the College of Arts and Sciences was split into three separate colleges (College of Arts and Letters (CAL), College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), and College of Science (CS)) by virtue of Administrative Order No. 170 by the UP Board of Regents, Geography became a separate Department under CSSP. UP GeogSoc continued its programs and expanded its membership under the newly created Department of Geography, and has been based in CSSP since then.

UP GeogSoc experienced a brief hiatus in the mid-1990s 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 resumed and intensified.

In 2010, under Hanie Sanchez’s presidency, the two flagship events of UP GeogSoc--namely Geog Ride and the Philippine Geography Olympiad--were established and held for the first time.

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 UP GeogSoc Alumni Members. The following December, GSUP Alumni Inc. was recognized as an Organization-Based Chapter of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA).

In 2015, GSUPERSPECTIVE: The Forum Series (currently branded as PERSPECTIVE: The Geography Forum Series) was established to expand horizons of geographic thinking and perspective in society’s most critical and most talked-about issues.

In February 2018, UP GeogSoc officially became a student branch of the International Association of Young Geographers (IAYG) and became the first and only student branch of IAYG in the Philippines. It is also the largest student branch of IAYG in Southeast Asia.

In May 2020, UP GeogSoc’s constitution was amended under the presidency and leadership of Jacob Jacela to update the organizational structure, internal processes, and membership rules of the organization. It was also done to make room for innovations within the organization. The constitutional amendment has also codified “UP GeogSoc” as the official abbreviation of the organization, replacing the abbreviation “GSUP” while still recognizing its historic and sentimental value. In October 2020, upon the formation of a new executive committee, UP GeogSoc made headlines, gained national prominence, and was featured in several news media outlets when its open letter to DENR undersecretary Benny Antiporda regarding his comments made against the UP Marine Science Institute went viral on social media.

UP GeogSoc has produced student leaders and academic achievers ever since its foundation. It has produced 20 Geography department representatives, 14 councilors, and 3 vice chairpersons in the CSSP Student Council. It has also produced 6 CSSP FST council department representatives for the past seven years. The incumbent Geography department representative, Troy Matavia, and the incumbent Geography FST council representative, Kent Rondario, are both members of UP GeogSoc. Since its establishment, there have been 66 cum laude graduates of UP GeogSoc. Fifteen out of twenty-one of the Magna Cum Laude BS Geography graduates are UP GeogSoc Alumni. Roi Anton Boribor and Arvin Jake Adovo, both alumni of UP GeogSoc, are two of the only three Summa Cum Laude of the Department of Geography.

Geography

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The organization's official tambayan or headquarters is located at the 1st floor of the Pavilion 2 Hallway right beside the CSSP Faculty Lounge.

Committees and Members

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Residents A.Y. 2022-2023 1st Semester
President
Rey Edward E. Dimacuha
Internal Affairs Committee
Mark L. Bueza
External Affairs Committee
Angel Nichole R. Nate
Membership Committee
Arjan Dave E. Alfeche
Academic Affairs Committee
Marvin Joshua M. Estacio
Publicity Committee
Janica Kylle V. De Guzman
Finance Committee
Nathanael Kent E. Rondario

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. - College Secretary, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of the Philippines Diliman
• David Michael "Mr. Typhoon" Padua - Meteorologist and Typhoon Specialist, One of the most recognized typhoon forecasters in PH
• Jonas A. Gaffud - President & Manager, Mercator Artist & Model Mgt
• Joseph Palis, Ph.D. - Department Chairperson of the Geography Department
• David Jonathan C. Garcia - Owner, Mapmaker (Cartography Website), Digital Geographer, University of Canterbury, Founder, Ministry of Mapping
• Roi Anton C. Boribor and Arvin Jake A. Adovo - Most recent Summa Cum Laude graduates of the BS Geography program, University of the Philippines Diliman
• Kristian Karlo C. Saguin - Philippine Social Science Council's 2018 Virginia A. Miralao Excellence in Research Award
• Mikko Tamura - Asia and the Pacific Regional Hub Community Manager, Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), Founder, MapBeks

Activities and Events

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Geog Ride

Official Geog Ride logo

The Geog Ride is a semestral event spearheaded by the Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines (UP GeogSoc). During the past years, UP GeogSoc 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.

GeogSoc Week

GeogSoc Week is a week-long celebration which showcases several events organized by the organization. These events are open to everyone, especially UP students, in order to reach the largest number of people possible.

• Week-Long Exhibit

Throughout the duration of the whole event, an exhibit will be displayed in Palma Hall, one of the University's busiest lobbies where students from every college converge.

• Perspective

A newly-launched forum tackling various issues in a geographic point of view.

• Geog Alog

The ultimate mind and body challenge, a quiz show that will showcase geography in a fresh and exciting format. The event is participated by students from different colleges of the University and by our partner organizations.

• GSUPaikot

As a way of saying thanks, the organization will give free ikot jeepney rides to everyone on the last day of GeogSoc Week.

Affiliations

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International Association of Young Geographers (IAYG)

The Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines is the first official student branch of the IAYG in the Philippines located at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

The IAYG is a global nonprofit organisation taking a lead in advancing geography and geology, and access to education in these subjects. Serving students and the stakeholders that support them in geography (educators, parents, field experts, institutions, and anyone who believes in a more informed, connected future), the IAYG is empowering children and educators on five continents through free, game-changing programmes. With a global mindset, the IAYG works to open unprecedented access to education and advance this critical field for tens of thousands of students and educators. Their work is made possible by the incredible efforts of volunteers and volunteer employees worldwide – involved educators, distinguished field experts, institutions, and community stakeholders making a difference.

Ugnayang Tanggol KAPP (UTAK)

The Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines is also one of the founding member organizations of the Ugnayang Tanggol KAPP or UTAK.

Ugnayang Tanggol KAPP is a community of students, organizations, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the UP College of Social Sciences and Philosophy committed to defending academic freedom in the college.

External Links

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Facebook Page
Twitter Page
Official Website
Philippine Geography Olympiad
IAYG Website
10th PGO Article
Geog Ride