UP Geography Faculty awarded Faculty Grants and Professorial Chairs from the Centennial Grant

Five faculty members -- Yany Lopez, Kristian Karlo Saguin, Joseph Palis, Vanessa Joy Anacta, and Lou Angeli Ocampo -- from the UP Department of Geography were awarded the Centennial Grant for either of the following: Faculty Grant, and Professorial Chair. Aside from a doctoral degree, the grant stipulates proof of mentorship and peer-reviewed publications. 

UP Centennial Professorial Chair awards 3 Geography Faculty

Congratulations to professors Dr. Joy Anacta, Dr. Joseph Palis, and Dr. Kristian Saguin of the UP Department of Geography for receiving the UP Centennial Professorial Chair award (1 January 2021-31 December 2021 Cycle). Padayon! 🌻

De Guzman Presents Cyberfoodscapes Study in 2019 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Geographers

Asst. Prof. Mylene T. De Guzman presented her study entitled “Cyberfoodscapes: Instagramming the Ybanag Delicacy, Batil Patung” as part of the session, “Bagels and bytes 2: Geographies of Food in our Precarious Present” in the recently concluded 2019 Annual Meeting of the American Association of Geographers in Washington D.C., USA. The panel presented a discussion on the variegated ideas and debates surrounding food and the ways by which digital platforms are shaping food perceptions, practices, and performativities.

Asst. Prof. De Guzman (seated rightmost) as part of the geographies of food panel.

The exploratory study Asst. Prof. De Guzman presented focuses on the use of data scraping as a method in human geographic research in general, and food studies in particular. The paper delved into the extension of the foodscapes of a place-based dish, batil patung, into the realm of cyberspace.

Asst. Prof. Mylene De Guzman delivering the  presentation.

See the abstract of the presentation here.

See the session here.

Dr. Kristian Saguin speaks about Philippine small-scale fisheries in Seoul National University

Department of Geography assistant professor Dr. Kristian Saguin presented his research on small-scale fisheries in the Philippines at a forum entitled Geographies of Coastal Livelihoods in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa in Seoul, South Korea. Organized by Dr. Edo Andriesse of Seoul National University’s Department of Geography, the forum brought together scholars working on various aspects of small-scale fisheries in the Philippines, Thailand, Ghana and Tanzania. Dr. Saguin presented three case studies in Laguna Lake, Batangas and Cavite to illustrate the drivers and challenges that transform fisherfolk livelihood in the Philippines. The forum is part of an interdisciplinary and multi-country research collaboration funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea.

UP Padayon selects Tinio as Public Service Writing Fellow

Asst. Prof. Marion Micah Tinio has been selected as a Public Service Writing Fellow by the UP Padayon. The Public Service Writing Fellowship is on its second year.

UP Padayon selected eight fellows from constituent units of the UP System to promote the publication of public service initiatives undertaken by faculty and REPS. These fellows participated in a writeshop in November 8 and 9 to hone their research and writing skills. 

Asst. Prof. Tinio is a Licensed Environmental Planner teaching courses in land use and movement. He will be writing about the technical assistance provided by a team composed of faculty members of the Department of Geography and School of Urban and Regional Planning to the Municipality of Tiwi. The technical assistance was for the updating of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Local Development Investment Plan of the Municipality. The project was funded partially through an extension grant from UP Diliman

Photo by Bong Arboleda, UP MPRO

Read more about UP Padayon's Public Service Fellowship writeshop here: https://www.up.edu.ph/index.php/public-service-writing-fellows-undergo-workshop/

NCGS: Mapping the Development of Philippine Geography

by Mylene De Guzman

Faculty members of the Department of Geography presented a plenary session entitled “Mapping the Development of Philippine Geography” in the recently concluded 13^th National Conference on Geographical Studies (NCGS), an annual conference jointly organized by the Philippine Geographical Society (PGS) and the University of the Philippines Diliman Department of Geography.

Prof. Darlene Occena-Gutierrez, College Secretary of the College of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP),  presented the history of the discipline in the Philippines, based from the undergraduate thesis of Ms. Julia Catherina Agoncillo from the Department of History, entitled, “A Brief History of the Department of Geography of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy of the University of the Philippines Diliman (1922-present).”

Asst. Prof. Joseph Palis revisited articles about the history of the UP Diliman Department of Geography written by Professorial Lecturer Meliton B. Juanico, and Dr. Doracie B. Zoleta-Nantes. Dr. Nantes is a former chair of the Department of Geography and currently President of the Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT).

Asst. Prof. Mylene De Guzman presented the five (5) research clusters along with the research interests, endeavors, and publications of the faculty members. The research clusters are as follows: Environment and Development Geographies (EDGE), Disaster Action Research Team (DART), Human Geography (HuG), Geographies of Media (GEM), and Geographic Information System and Techniques (GIST).

Asst. Prof. Emmanuel Garcia talked about the various field sites and service-learning activities of the Geography Field School, which was given the Gawad Pangulo Award for Excellence in Public Service in 2017.

To cap off the plenary session, Asst. Prof. Yany Lopez, current Chair of the Department of Geography, presented the career trajectories and opportunities for geography students, based on surveys that were accomplished by the graduates of the B.S. Geography program.

The plenary session was well-attended by geography majors, geography enthusiasts, and PGS members, and it was a fitting conclusion to the successful NCGS.

Visit the website of PGS (phgeographicalsociety.org) and the website of Department of Geography (http://geog.upd.edu.ph/) for updates on future events and activities.

UPD Geography Faculty Participates in Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) Seminar-Workshop

Courtesy of  The Office of the Advancement of Teaching (OAT)

By Dominique Sasha N. Amorsolo

Faculty members of the UPD Department of Geography participated in a whole-day seminar-workshop on Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) last October 1, 2018 at the CSSP Pavilion 2 Conference Room, University of the Philippines Diliman. The seminar was sponsored by the Office of the Advancement of Teaching (OAT) of the University.

Assoc. Prof. Rosella M. Torrecampo, OAT Director and Faculty of the CAL Department of English and Comparative Literature, facilitated the seminar-workshop. Assoc. Prof. Torrecampo highlighted the basics and rationale on the adoption of OBE and explained the method of practical OBE application on courses. Assoc. Prof. Torrecampo also exhibited samples of OBE-dized course syllabi and responded to questions about the OBE framework implementation in the context of the Department’s existing and newly-instituted courses.

The Department participated in the OBE seminar-workshop in compliance to the University’s goal towards a globally, regionally, and nationally competent programs and graduates as mandated by the ASEAN University Network Quality Assurance (AUN-QA). 

The seminar was attended by faculty members: Department Chair Yany Lopez, CSSP College Secretary Darlene Occeña-Gutierrez, Maria Celeste Hermida, Raquel Najja Hao, Kristian Karlo Saguin, Mylene De Guzman, Emmanuel Garcia, Joseph Palis, Marion Micah Tinio, and Meliton Juanico.

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The Office of the Advancement of Teaching (OAT) aims to lead the development of the necessary systems, mechanisms, and programs designed to ensure quality teaching and learning. The Office also facilitates the design, enhancement, and implementation of academic policies and programs, particularly initiatives for instructional enrichment, course development, and teaching effectiveness.

For more information about the OAT, visit: http://oat.upd.edu.ph/ or send an e-mail to ovcaa.oatdiliman@up.edu.ph

Department of Geography Holds Curriculum and Administrative Workshop

By Marion Micah Tinio and Joseph Palis

The Department of Geography held a Curriculum and Administrative Workshop on August 24-27, 2018 at the Dinadiawan Beach Resort in Dipaculao, Aurora.

Attended by the regular and part-time faculty, administrative and research staff, the four-day workshop resulted in the formulation of an updated Vision and Mission for the Department, strategic scheduling of Departmental events for the academic year, discussions and clarifications of various teaching, research, extension and administrative tasks. Team building activities were actively participated in by the members of the faculty and staff to foster collegiality and camaraderie.

Visit the Department Website to learn more about its members.

Dr. Palis Showcases Countergeographies in Talk

By Marion Tinio

On September 19 2018, Asst. Prof. Joseph Palis delivered a talk on countergeography entitled, "Re-Spatialising Possible Worlds: Countermappings, Counternarratives and Dream Geographies in the Archipelago." The talk was organized by the University of the Philippines Diliman Discourse Studies Group (UPDDSG) and the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy.

Photo by Raquel Borje

Asst. Prof. Palis featured various examples of countergeography, highlighting works of map artists Cian Dayrit, Mark Salvatus and Mideo Cruz. A countermapping exercise of the Junior Philippine Geographical Society - UP Diliman with farmers of Hacienda Luisita was also presented. Countergeography, argues Prof. Palis, “assists in destabilizing commonly-held cartographic imaginations that were shaped and reinforced by normalized state violence abetted by vestiges of colonial legacies in the Philippines.”

The works of Dayrit, Salvatus and Cruz are housed at the Department of Geography Resource Center, located in Pavilion 2 of the Palma Hall.  

To learn more about JPGS-UPD and other student-related matters, visit the Department Website.

Asst. Prof. Palis is faculty member of the Department of Geography, UPD and affiliate faculty member of the Center for International Studies, UPD.

PRESENTATION ABSTRACT

In 2010 Denis Wood argued: “…[A]mong counter-mapping strategies, none mounts the assault on the prerogatives of professional mapmakers that map art does, art … made as, with, or about maps (2010, 189; emphasis in original). This presentation discusses processual practices of countermapping in the Philippines: art maps which are reconfigurations and re-assemblies of ‘official’ maps and whose creation and authentication were legitimized by hegemonic state power to represent the modern nation-state. In the case of Filipino artist Cian Dayrit’s countermapped art works, these are interventions that interrogate the role of state power in standardizing and legitimizing a specific and particular brand of nationalism. Dayrit’s cartographically-informed art incorporates maps that destabilize the emblem of imperial and colonial power. Likewise, the art works of Mark Salvatus and Mideo Cruz embody the emotional and affective geographies of urban subalterns who navigate the labyrinth of institutionally and discursively violent terrains of Metro Manila. The maps provide an alternative representation of geoaffective dislocations and institutionalized marginalization due spatial elitism. I argue that these cartographic efforts and interventionist art maps assist in destabilizing commonly-held cartographic imaginations that were shaped and reinforced by normalized state violence abetted by vestiges of colonial legacies in the Philippines.

Dr. Cadag Participates in Post-Disaster Needs Assessment Workshop

Documentation from Jake Cadag

Dr. Jake Rom Cadag, Senior Lecturer, participated in a three-day seminar-workshop about Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) on September 11-13, 2018 at the Richmonde Hotel in Ortigas, Quezon City. The event was facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

Dr. Cadag's participation in the workshop is in preparation for the service-learning activities that students of Geography 255 is undertaking in the First Semester of Academic Year 2018-2019. Geography 255 students will contribute to enhancement of the practice of PDNA in the Philippines.

PDNA is a tool used to determine the value of lost assets, define reconstruction requirements, and assess the impacts on many sectors of the affected communities. For more information on PDNA, visit http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/crisis-prevention-and-recovery/pdna.html

[LECTURE] Re-Spatialising Possible Worlds...

Re-Spatialising Possible Worlds: Countermappings, Counternarratives and Dream Geographies in the Archipelago

19 September 2018, 2:30 - 4 PM
Palma Hall Room 207

Featuring Asst. Prof. Joseph Palis, Department of Geography

The lecture is organized by the UP Diliman Discourse Studies Group and the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, CSSP, UPD.

ABSTRACT

In 2010 Denis Wood argued: “…[A]mong counter-mapping strategies, none mounts the assault on the prerogatives of professional mapmakers that map art does, art … made as, with, or about maps (2010, 189; emphasis in original). This presentation discusses processual practices of countermapping in the Philippines: art maps which are reconfigurations and re-assemblies of ‘official’ maps and whose creation and authentication were legitimized by hegemonic state power to represent the modern nation-state. In the case of Filipino artist Cian Dayrit’s countermapped art works, these are interventions that interrogate the role of state power in standardizing and legitimizing a specific and particular brand of nationalism. Dayrit’s cartographically-informed art incorporates maps that destabilize the emblem of imperial and colonial power. Likewise, the art works of Mark Salvatus and Mideo Cruz embody the emotional and affective geographies of urban subalterns who navigate the labyrinth of institutionally and discursively violent terrains of Metro Manila. The maps provide an alternative representation of geoaffective dislocations and institutionalized marginalization due spatial elitism. I argue that these cartographic efforts and interventionist art maps assist in destabilizing commonly-held cartographic imaginations that were shaped and reinforced by normalized state violence abetted by vestiges of colonial legacies in the Philippines.

Click to enlarge.

UPD Geography Faculty Members Participate in Anti-Sexual Harassment Workshop

By Mylene De Guzman

The faculty members of the Department of Geography participated in an Anti-Sexual Harassment Training about the UP Diliman Anti-Sexual Harassment (ASH) Code on September 03, 2018 in the Pavilion 2 Pantry. The training was facilitated by Asst. Prof. Bernadette V. Neri of the Departamento ng Filipino at Panitikian ng Pilipinas (DFPP), and Ms. Janet A. De Leon of the Office of Anti-Sexual Harassment (OASH). 

A lively and informative discussion ensued after the lecture regarding the UP Anti-Sexual Harassment Code. Asst. Prof. Neri and Ms. De Leon readily answered questions on how faculty members can aid in the successful implementation of the Code, and how they can help colleagues and students who might need support from the OASH. 

The training was attended by faculty members: Department Chair Yany Lopez, CSSP College Secretary Prof. Darlene Gutierrez, Ms. Dominique Sasha Amorsolo, Asst. Prof. Mylene De Guzman, Asst. Prof. Emman Garcia, Asst. Prof. Najja Hao, Ms. Maria Celeste Hermida, Asst. Prof. Ma. Simeona Martinez, Asst. Prof. Joseph Palis, Asst. Prof. Kristian Saguin, Asst. Prof. Marion Micah Tinio, and lecturer, Dr. Jake Rom Cadag. 

The Anti-Sexual Harassment training is part of the Department's compliance to Memorandum No. MLT 17-131 on the implementation and compliance with Section 30 of the UP Anti-Sexual Harassment Code.

Visit the website of UPD OASH for a copy of the Code.

Dr. Kristian Saguin featured in PGS Article

Photo grabbed from Philippine Geographical Society

Dr. Kristian Saguin, Assistant Professor of Geography, was featured in an online article of the Philippine Geographical Society (PGS). The column, published August 3, 2018, detailed an interview about his prize-winning paper "Producing an Urban Hazardscape beyond the City," for which he was conferred the Virgilio A. Miralao Excellence in Research Award for 2018 by the Philippine Social Science Council (PSSC).

The Award is given by the PSSC to the best single-authored, refereed publication based on a nomination process.

Dr. Saguin is also a recipient of one of the 2018 Urban Studies Foundation International Fellowship Awards, among the most prestigious awards in urban studies.

The Philippine Geographical Society is a professional organization of geographers and geography enthusiasts.

Read the full article on the website of the PGS through this link.