Geography Lecture: Michael Pretes on conducting and data-gathering for research in geography

Do you want to know more about how to conduct geographic research? While standard practice is far from homogenous and/or universal, here's a chance to know more about gathering and collecting data in geography.

Professor Michael Pretes from the Department of Geosciences of the University of North Alabama will share insights on practiced-based research in geography. Dr Pretes teaches courses about world geography, economic geography, geography of music, geography of islands, and geography of national parks. He has travelled to all seven continents (including Antarctica). 

The onsite talk is going to be on Thursday, 26 February 2026 at 2:30PM in Pavilion 2248. Geography juniors and seniors and graduate students are invited to join the talk.

This Geography talk is sponsored the UP Department of Geography through the Graduate Program and the Undergraduate Program and is in line with the SDG #4 (Quality Education) of the United Nations.

Department of Geography and Faculty Get Recognition for 2025

The U.P. Department of Geography and faculty were recently recognized for various awards and achievements in quality assessment (QA), One UP professorial chairs and faculty grants, and as University Scientist.

The UP Department of Geography has earned recognition as a Data Champion from the UP Diliman Quality Assurance Office (UPD-QAO) for its significant contribution to the University's rankings. The recognition was conferred on 5 December 2025, during the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings Symposium. 

Meanwhile, 10 members of the faculty received the One UP Professorial Chair and Faculty Grant recognition for teaching and research excellence and public service. This is for the One UP 2025-2027 cycle.

Finally, UP conferred Jake Cadag the Scientist 1 recognition for his excellence in research and innovation, and scholarly leadership.

New Clark City Countermapping Team Presents Preliminary Findings to Community Members

by Noreen Sapalo, Project Manager, Countermapping for Periurban Social Justice Project

Faculty members and students of the UP Department of Geography presented their research findings to their community partners based in Capas, Tarlac last April 5. In attendance were community members from Sitio Kamatis, Tarlac, Sitio Alli, and Sitio Bagingan, whose small rural villages are threatened by eviction due to the construction of New Clark City.

The research presentation and validation activity are part of "Counter-mapping for Peri-urban Social Justice," a research collaboration of the University of Glasgow and the Philippine Geographical Society funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund through the Scottish Funding Council. The project aims to uncover the territorialisation of peri-urban dispossession and resistance. The project also aims to pilot a participatory mapping methodology for the production of maps that communities can use in their struggle for their land rights.

Heading the project is Dr. Andre Ortega, former faculty of the Department of Geography and currently a research fellow of the University of Glasgow. Department Chair Dr. Yany Lopez and Assistant Professor Ma. Simeona Martinez serve as co-principal investigators. Also part of the team are undergraduate student volunteers of Geography and Fine Arts as well as research staff pursuing postgraduate degrees in Anthropology and Geomatics Engineering.

Project team with community representatives and student volunteers

The program-assembly was held in the Fatima Building of the Dominican College of Tarlac, through the support of the Provincial Human Rights Desk. The program started with prayers by farmers and an indigenous Aeta.

A video that detailed the process and methodology of the project was shown as Asst. Prof. Martinez gave a brief description of the project objectives. Findings from focus group discussions and different community map outputs were validated through participatory feedback mechanisms and turned over to the community. 

Research partners validating map outputs

The results of mental mapping activities and the auto-photography/photo elicitation methods were also discussed. A photo book organized around themes of displacement, resistance, and spaces was passed around for comments and recommendations of research partners.

Representatives from various Tarlac-based organizations and the University of the Philippines Diliman delivered speeches and encouraged the participants to build solidarity through campaigns against all forms of development aggression. 

A student volunteer discusses with research partners

The program-assembly ended in high spirits, with the Provincial Human Rights Desk officer promising to coordinate with the communities for further planning.