In October 2016, I became part of Project NOAH’s ISAIAH (Integrated Scenario Assessment of Impacts And Hazards) that aims to map 17 provinces in the Philippines through OpenStreetMap (OSM). I was part of a team of seven (7) people who trained Local Government Units (LGUs) in the northwestern part of the country. It was a roller coaster ride for us as we experienced both unwelcoming and accepting remarks from the LGUs. Nonetheless, it was a fulfilling journey. The six (6) people I worked with have become close to my heart, we call ourselves the “dream team” at that time.
LGU Ilocos Norte with the “dream team.” We’re the ones sitting on the floor (photo from Feye Andal @feyeandal)
In ISAIAH, we mainly use Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team’s (HOT) Tasking Manager to organize mapping efforts and avoid duplication of data. Aside from training people, we also helped complete the building footprints of the provinces. We had a weekly report of percent completion of the tasks and “top mappers of the week.” I was always happy every time I saw my OSM username in the list.
It was heartbreaking when Project NOAH ISAIAH ended in February 2017. I had to leave the team and move on to another job.
In March 2017, I joined the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and in the succeeding year in 2018, we first conducted “MAPAbabae: OSM Workshop and Mapathon with Women and for Women”. Up until this year, we were able to conduct MAPAbabae during the Women’s Month (March). It is a beloved project for me, as inspired by Maning Sambale’s GeoLadies Meetup: How can We Change the Ratio in 2014. Along with five (5) other Filipina, we have decided to form the group, GeoLadiesPH, during Pista ng Mapa in August 2019.
Other than that, one of the most significant things that happened to me in 2018 was attending the State of the Map in Milan, Italy (I was granted a scholarship :). I’ve met lots of amazing people including HOT people (and fellow scholars) like Geoffrey, Wulan, and Rebecca, and learned more about the Organization (I only knew HOT because of the Tasking Manager). You can read about my experiences in my OSM diary.
What I didn’t mention in the diary was what happened off-conference. I will not write it in detail, but it was in Milan where I first met my mapper and it was on the next month after SotM 2018, during FOSS4G 2018 and HOT Summit, when I knew he’s my mapper. You can find Russell and me beside each other in the HOT Summit 2018 group pic, along with other OhSoMe people.
Photo from HOT
This year 2020, I became a HOT Voting member. It became an interest for me to join HOT because I find that humanitarian mapping helps communities and governments to be prepared and to respond to disasters, among others (just like Project NOAH).
I am pleased to join an organization that not only cares about (and builds) the data, but also cares for the data users and data-makers, and builds communities on and off the map. This year also marks a decade of love through open mapping.
Happy 10th Anniversary, Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team! Thank you for building communities (and families too! Haha)!
PS. I haven’t watched How I Met Your Mother, but this is just a short story (and the beginning) of How I Met My Mapper.
PS2. Thanks to Iyan & mapmakerdavid for giving me the title idea! hahaha
PS3. I wanted to post this on the exact day of HOT’s birthday but I couldn’t find it so posting it today, August 19, 2020, since it is also #WorldHumanitarianDay! Thanks to my husband, the truth-finder, who helped me find out and suggested today. Love ya! Haha
PS4. Post-reflection: It should be How I Met (My) Mappers hehe. Mostly about my humanitarian mapping journey (from NOAH to being a mamapper) and the people who inspired me. It’s your day too, humanitarian mappers! Have an amazing day! 🤗 🗺 💗