Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines
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| Established | February 2, 1963 |
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| Organization Type | Academic |
| Headquarters | Pavilion 2, Palma Hall, University of the Philippines, Diliman Quezon City, Philippines 1101 |
| Home College | UP College of Social Sciences and Philosophy |
| Online Resources | Facebook Page Twitter Page Philippine Geography Olympiad |
| Executive Committee A.Y. 2020-2021 | |
| President | Jael O Gonzales |
| Vice President for Internal Affairs | Charles Kendrick O Epino |
| Vice President for External Affairs | Francesca Aliana F Criseno |
| Vice President for Membership | Jan Alfred M Neuda |
| Vice President for Academic Affairs | Arvin Jake A Adovo |
| Vice President for Finance | Caila Marie Denielle B Mariano |
| Vice President for Publicity | Jeimarson P Politico |
| 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 UP 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
On February 2, 1963, the Geographic Society of the University of the Philippines (UP GeogSoc) was established by a number of great minds in the then Department of Geology and Geography; led 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 suspension of activities of academic organizations in the University. In the year 1980 however, through the leadership of Darlene Gutierrez (BS Geography ’83) UP GeogSoc was able 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, UP GeogSoc from then on was based in CSSP.
In the mid-1990’s, UP GeogSoc 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, UP GeogSoc has remained an instrument in molding its members to become excellent individuals in the discipline and in the society.
UP GeogSoc 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 producing student leaders. Since 1992, the organization has provided twenty (20) Geography department representatives, twelve (12) councilors, and two (2) vice chairpersons in the CSSP Student Council. Until now, UP GeogSoc is still carrying its goal of producing individuals of principles and values. UP GeogSoc 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 GeogSoc Resident Member graduates with honors. Five out of six Magna Cum Laude BS Geography graduates are UP GeogSoc Alumni.
Recently, the organization successfully conducted two new projects. The Geog Ride and the first inter-high school Geography quiz bee in the country, the Philippine Geography Olympiad. In the near future, UP GeogSoc 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 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). Among the projects of the GSUP Alumni Inc., in cooperation with the GeogSoc and the UP Department of Geography, are the Philippine Geospatial Forum and the Philippine Geospatial Congress.
Geography
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
| Residents A.Y. 2020-2021 1st Semester |
|---|
| President |
| Jael O Gonzales |
| Internal Affairs Committee |
| Charles Kendrick O Epino |
| Carlo Louis F Felipe |
| Francis G Sevilleja III |
| Basil Angelo M Viloria |
| External Affairs Committee |
| Francesca Aliana F Criseno |
| Marifer R Patricio |
| David Chester B Reyes |
| Membership Committee |
| Jan Alfred M Neuda |
| Andrei Josef A Policarpio |
| Mikhaela Mari B Tambaoan |
| Arthur David F Del Rosario |
| Academic Affairs Committee |
| Arvin Jake A Adovo |
| Ma Lynnette Vanessa T Macasero |
| Andrea Joyce Eugenio |
| Finance Committee |
| Caila Marie Denielle B Mariano |
| Juan Angelo B Masongsong |
| Neil Ross R Goco Jr |
| Publicity Committee |
| Jeimarson P Politico |
| Patricia May R Aba |
| Chelsea Denise H Garfin |
Distinguished Members and Alumni
- 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
- Jonas A. Gaffud - President & Manager, Mercator Artist & Model Mgt
- David Jonathan C. Garcia - Owner, Mapmaker (Cartography Website)
- Roi Anton C. Boribor - Most recent Summa Cum Laude graduate 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
Activities and Events
Geog Ride
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
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
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.
External Links
Facebook Page
Twitter Page
Philippine Geography Olympiad
IAYG Website
10th PGO Article
Geog Ride