Heo/Geo Lecture Series 2026-08: Levin Daran on the importance of geonarratives in geospatial storytelling

What stories are underlain in the 2-dimensionality of a map?

While maps have always been powerful tools, they are frequently viewed as technical instruments for data. Reducing spaces to raw data, tables, and layers strips away the human element that gives those locations their true meaning. 

For the 8th Heo/Geo Lecture Series for 2026, the UP Department of Geography and the Philippine Geographical Society (PGS) are presenting a lecture titled Weaving Narratives into Spaces with ArcGIS StoryMaps. To be given by Lou Benedict Daran of Geodata Systems Technologies, the lecture happens on Wednesday, 29 July 2026 at 5:30PM via Zoom.

This presentation explores how to use ArcGIS StoryMaps as an immersive digital storytelling platform. By shifting our focus from technical aspects of data toward narrative design, we can weave together images, videos, and interactive maps to build a genuine emotional connection with the places we showcase. We are hoping that attendees will leave with a different perspective from the traditional norm and present spatial data as compelling, human-centered stories.

Lou Benedict "Levin" Daran is a GIS instructor from the Training and Technical Support Division of Geodata Systems Technologies, Inc. A graduate of the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor of Science in Geography, his technical competencies include spatial analysis, map design, and application configuration. He has extensive experience equipping major organizations such as the City Government of Makati, Batangas State University, and MMDA with spatial data skills through ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online. His professional portfolio also extends to high-impact humanitarian initiatives. He previously contributed to the PhilAware project, mapping and validating critical lifeline facilities in Pampanga and Quezon City for the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team – Philippines (HOTPH).

Jointly sponsored by the UP Department of Geography and the Philippine Geographical Society (PGS), the Heo/Geo Lecture Series is a monthly talk / lecture given by academic geographers, geography-adjacent scholars, practitioners working in geospatial industries, and partners that engaged in geography through their multiple publics. Speakers are invited for the relevance of the talk to our local to global allies and partners. The talk ranges from the sharing of research findings to pedagogical practices and field-based experiences. This current lecture is facilitated by the Geographic Information Systems and Techniques (GIST) research cluster at the UP Department of Geography and is in line with the SDG #4 (Quality Education) of the United Nations.

To participate in the lecture, click this link to register: https://tinyurl.com/53u6w53w

Geography 192: Team Semirara 2026 co-creates P3DM with community residents of Barangay Semirara, Caluya, Antique

Last July 9, July 10 and July 13, the Team Semirara of the Geography 192 field classes for midyear 2026 held its culminating activity: the Participatory 3D Mapping or P3DM that aims to engage the community to create their own tangible, representative and functional 3D map.

The three-day activity held at the Pension House, Barangay Semirara, Caluya, Province of Antique, was participated by around 70 individuals including barangay councilors, sitio and purok leaders, barangay health workers (BHWs), Disaster Operations Center (DOC) representatives, and volunteers from various sectors of the community.

From tracing, to cutting, to painting and designing, the UPD Geography team created, collaborated and co-produced knowledge with the community to create and mount a 3-dimensional map while actively discussing and learning the geographic features and backgrounds of the barangay from the participants, and explaining how the map can better serve the community, not just in mapping spaces of vulnerabilities but also as to how to add new information to the 'living map' that was produced.

The P3DM activity produced a 5ft x 6ft topographic map with information on infrastructures, land use, capacities, road networks, and several hazard areas including flood, storm surge and rain-induced landslide.

Inset maps were also produced to zoom in on densely populated areas of the barangay for household mapping with information on building material and vulnerabilities by assigning household and building ID numbers that are linked to a database.

Video edited by Jade Ocab

Videography by Jade Ocab & Kyla Bacolod

#TeamSemirara2026

#UPDGeography

#PadayonGeografia

Heo/Geo Lecture Series 2026-07: Cole Yokingco on the intersection of geography, law and climate change

The Heo/Geo Lecture Series continues during the midyear. For the seventh presentation of this long-running series, the UP Department of Geography and the Philippine Geographical Society (PGS) are co-sponsoring the talk of an alumnus who is knee-deep in conservation work.

The talk is Ignoring boundaries: How geography, law, climate change, and biodiversity intersect by John Colin Yokingco from Conservation International Philippines and is happening via Zoom on Tuesday, 16th of June 2026 at 5:30PM. His talk looks at the link between the legal system and climate change. Where things are, how justice is defined, the impacts of climate change, and the diversity of life are important in addressing the challenges of our times, according to Yokingco. 

Geography and law are fields of study that may not be connected at first glance. One deals with how things interact spatially while the other deals with the obligatory norms set by those in power. Climate change and biodiversity on the other hand, although considered as subjects studied under the physical sciences, are usually addressed separately in the legal framework of the Philippines. In spite of their apparent boundaries, geography, law, climate change, and biodiversity intersect in more ways than we think. The impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss have no respect for boundaries set by the law. The international commitments of states mean nothing if local action receives no support. Finally, justice is fundamental to any solution to these issues. Discourse on these issues have progressed over the past 12 years. The overlaps and intersections will be discussed through the experiences of a geography graduate who has navigated the space over the same period through their professional career. From land use planning, defending human rights, and now conserving nature geography remains at the core of the approach. 

John Colin E. Yokingco is a legal and development professional who has worked on issues related to climate change, disaster risk management, and human rights. Cole currently works on policies related to natural climate solutions, biodiversity, and indigenous people’s rights as the Philippines Policy Senior Manager of Conservation International Philippines.

Jointly sponsored by the UP Department of Geography and the Philippine Geographical Society (PGS), the Heo/Geo Lecture Series is a monthly resource talk / lecture given by academic geographers, geography-adjacent scholars, practitioners working in geospatial industries, and partners that engaged in multiple publics, and based locally and abroad. The talk ranges from the sharing of research findings to pedagogical practices and field-based experiences. This month’s Heo/Geo Lecture Series is facilitated by two research clusters at the UP Department of Geography: Human Geography (HUG), and Environment and Development Geographies (EDGE) and is in line with the SDG #4 (Quality Education) and SDG #13 (Climate Action) of the United Nations.

To participate in the Zoom lecture, please click this link to register: https://tinyurl.com/53rf59w2