12 December 2011

Dr. Gaillard's lecture on the sense of place and identity in the music of the Eraserheads


Dr. Jean-Christophe Gaillard gave a lecture last December 9, 2011 at Palma Hall 207, entitled, “Fruitcake Heights or the not-so-imaginary Philippine urbanscape of the 1990s: sense of place and identity in the music of Eraserheads.”

Main points of the lecture centered on the geographical and social construction of space and identity as themes in the songs of the Eraserheads.  The Eraserheads, popularly known as E-heads, is one of the most popular Filipino rock bands in the 1990s.  According to Dr. Gaillard, the places mentioned in the music of the Eraserheads are set in urban areas (Metro Manila, malls, etc) and the youth can easily identify with the songs since they speak about their concerns such as love life, sexuality, addictions, music, sports, etc.  However, the songs do not only speak of the issue of the youth but of the larger Philippine society.  Issues of economic, social, environmental, political, and cultural references can be inferred from the songs of the said band.

Dr. Jean-Christophe Gaillard or better known as Dr. JC Gaillard has been a Maître de conferences at Université de Grenoble, France before being a senior lecturer at the School of Environment, University of Auckland.  He has been a Visiting Professor for several times and formerly an Associate Professor of the Department of Geography, University of the Philippines Diliman.

10 November 2011

2nd International GIScience Workshop organized by the Department and the Centre for Geoinformatics - University of Salzburg


The Department of Geography - University of the Philippines Diliman in collaboration with the Centre for Geoinformatics (Z_GIS) of the University of Salzburg,  has again successfully conducted its second International GIS faculty development workshop with the theme: “SPATIALreason: Integrating Spatial Reasoning in Interdisciplinary Research and Education” last November 4-8, 2011 at Palma Hall 207, UP Diliman, Quezon City. 

The second workshop accommodated 21 participants: two (2) from Indonesia, three (3) from Malaysia, five (5) from Thailand and 11 from the Philippines.  The Filipino participants, composed of faculty members and researchers, came from various fields.  One each from UP Diliman’s Department of History, Department of Anthropology and the National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS), five (5) from the college of Public Health of UP Manila and one each from the School of Environmental Science and Management and the College of Arts and Sciences of UP Los Baños.  A participant from the National Economic Development Authority – Region 7, Cebu, also joined the workshop.

With participants coming from a wide range of disciplines, GIS in interdisciplinary research and education continues to play a significant role. What makes this workshop more relevant and different from other GIS workshops/seminars, is that, it deals with the importance of understanding basic geographic concepts behind the use of the software (e.g., ARCGIS).  It emphasizes the role of spatial reasoning in understanding spatial patterns of physical and social phenomena such as land use, population, economic activities, climate, diseases and health problems, transportation and many others.  

The said workshop is one of the collaborative activities under the Academic Cooperation Agreement between the two institutions and part of the Department’s Internationalization efforts to enhance its programs and capabilities.  It was facilitated by Dr. Shahnawaz and Dr. Josef Strobl, Coordinator and Director of the Centre for Geoinformatics, respectively, and Prof. Ma. Simeona Martinez and Mr. Emmanuel Garcia, ENP of the Department of Geography - UP Diliman.

19 September 2011

International GIScience Workshop organized by the Department and the Centre for Geoinformatics - University of Salzburg


The Department of Geography - University of the Philippines Diliman hosted a Geographic Information Science (GIScience) workshop in collaboration with the Centre for Geoinformatics (Z_GIS) - University of Salzburg last 15-19 August 2011. Entitled "SPATIALreason: Integrating Spatial Reasoning in Interdisciplinary Research and Education", the workshop emphasized the importance of "spatial reasoning" while employing geographical information system (GIS) tools. These tools can be used in various spatial analysis for natural resource management, environmental conservation, education, research, spatial planning & decision making, sustainable development, etc.

The workshop also served as a venue for the transfer of GIS know-how and networking among faculty and graduate students from the Southeast Asian region.  Participants came from Indonesia (2), Malaysia (1), Philippines (5), Thailand (6), and Vietnam (2).  Dr. Shahnawaz of Z_GIS conducted the workshop in coordination with Mr. Emmanuel Garcia and Prof. Ma. Simeona Martinez of the Department.

This is the first of the two international GIS workshops scheduled to be hosted by the Department.  The next workshop will be held on November 4-8, 2011. Both workshops are part of the international academic cooperation between the Centre for Geoinformatics (Z_GIS) - University of Salzburg, Austria and the Department of Geography - University of the Philippines Diliman.

12 August 2011

[IN THE NEWS] UP’s BS Geog mentioned in Michael Tan’s Inquirer column



In his Philippine Daily Inquirer column (9 August 2011), Dean Michael Tan cited BS Geography as one of the degrees offered locally ONLY in the University of the Philippines.  For the whole column, please click HERE:

22 July 2011

UP's Geography & Area Studies made it to QS' Top 100



The only geography degree granting university in the country, the University of the Philippines, is ranked 51-100 in the 2011 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Ranking under the subject of Geography and Area Studies.


Source: QS Quacquarelli Symonds 
Copyright © 2004-2011 QS Quacquarelli Symonds Ltd.




21 July 2011

The Geography Department is now in Twitter and Facebook!



There is no reason now to be left behind with the latest updates and events in the Department of Geography.  The Department’s News and Events page is now connected via Twitter and Facebook in addition to the existing RSS and email subscriptions.  Any news posted in the page will be automatically reposted in both social networking services.  Just look for the social networking icons at the right sidebar of the News and Events page (a.k.a. Cyberbulletin) and click your preferred service. 

So, what are you waiting for?

Follow us on TWITTER !

Like us on FACEBOOK!

Subscribe through RSS or EMAIL!

02 July 2011

Three UPCAT qualifiers join the Geography Department




This year, The Department of Geography warmly welcomes the three UPCAT qualifiers who have chosen the path of the social sciences as their field of study. These three individuals, have set aside the more popular programs and have bravely responded to the call for more critical thinkers with a geographer’s perspective where they can learn and apply spatial skills in analyzing contemporary issues confronting our society today.  

Let us get to know our new freshmen: 

Karen Cheska M. Mariano, a graduate from Miriam College High School, enjoys the outdoors and finds enrolling in geography as an opportunity to explore the outdoors better. 
Josiah Ned P. Matienzo, on the other hand, is ready to take on the  challenge of learning geography as a relevant and fun field of study.
Vincent M. Oville chose geography because he has been fond of this subject since childhood and is very excited to learn more about it. As a Manila Science High School graduate, Vincent is a diligent student and promises to study harder as he looks forward to making new friends and learning more about geography which he thinks is less appreciated. 

To Karen, Vincent and Josiah congratulations! You are now part of the most prestigious academic institution in the country.  Being part of a national university that upholds academic excellence and aims to serve the people, you will surely entail a lot of hard work and perseverance in order to rise above the standards of this institution. Late nights studying and caffeine consumption maybe habits you will eventually acquire. But no worries, the ride will surely be a thrill! The UP life you expect may just be a small bite from what the real UP experience would truly bring. Inside the university, you will encounter a plethora of lessons and events that will mold you into becoming one of the best students, here in the Philippines and outside. And you will also meet different people and experience formations that will make your stay in the university even better and more meaningful.     

Again, to the new Iskolars ng Bayan and future Geographers, welcome to the University of the Philippines Diliman.# Earl Ramon Agulto



The Department has moved to a NEW site



The Department has moved to a new site, not physically (yet) but virtually.  Finally, the Department has revised and updated its website.
   
The new website aims to acquaint prospective students regarding the discipline and its programs.  The site’s scrolling images show some of the possibilities that a geographer could do.  Therefore, we invite you to check its pages and discover what is in store for those who may choose to become geography majors.  

Click and surf the site and learn more about the Department as an institution and its people.   It is also a resource site for the Department’s students, academic and administrative staff with its downloadable forms and links that UP geography majors frequently visit. 

A unique feature in the website is the map of the field sites of the Department’s field classes done through the years.  It does not only show the places where UP geography students have visited but also the contributions they have made to the communities.  The research outputs of these fieldworks showcase the extension services the Department offers.  This proves and shows that the Department is practicing the University’s tradition of giving back to the people.

Welcome to the new Department Website and discover more by exploring http://www.geog.upd.edu.ph/

If you happen to find any typographical errors, missing names or links please feel free to send us your suggested corrections and comments at our new email address: geography@up.edu.ph