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. 2014-2015
President	Russel James S. Andrade
Vice President for Internal Affairs	Diane C. Pelegrino
Vice President for External Affairs	Patricia Jon H. Hernandez
Secretary General	Alejandro Felipe B. Gorospe
Academic Committee Head	Mark Angelo V. Cagampan
Finance Committee Head	Clarrie Mae A. Castillo
Events and Publicity Committee Head	Gianni Mari R. Sumajit
Faculty Advisers	Johnson Damian Rocelyn de Vera David Jonathan Garcia

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 north is Youth For Christ - UPD; to the east the AS Hill; 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. 2013-2014
President
Justine G. Teves
Membership Committee
Elaine Bennet Salvador
Jonathan Almalvez
Jahzeel Jett Hibionada
Ian Carlo Zuniga
Mary Cibyl Claire Atacador
External Affairs Committee
Jemimah-Keren Pabiona
Catherine Anne Madamba
Kimberly Salvador
Patricia Jon Hernandez
Dayanara Bermudez
Records Committee
Maria Tamsyn Malabanan
Romwel Dotig
Justin Castro
Rienzi Niccolo Velasco
Aljon Rie Araneta
Academic Committee
Marvin Lopez
Karl Louise Regalado
Mikko Tamura
Arra Canare
Cherith Inna Montero
Finance Committee
Charie Mae Manliguez
Clarrie Mae Castillo
Diane Pelegrino
Russel James Andrade
Miguel Jose Angeles
Events and Publicity Committee
Miguel F. del Rosario
Erika Mae Coloma
Peter Santos
John Louis Gacad
Hezron Gibe

Distinguished Members and Alumni

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• Ricardo S. Domingo Jr. - Founder, Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines
• Darlene Gutierrez - Chair, Department of Geography, University of the Philippines Diliman

Activities and Events

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GeogRide

The GeogRide is an Out of the Classroom Learning Activity (OCLA) hosted by the organization. UP students taking Geography classes are invited to an organized interactive field trip which aims to make them perceptive of the need for proper resource management and the advantages of a sustainable tourism. It also allows them to practice and observe the geographic concepts that they have learned in the classroom. 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

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