I entered the CWTS++ sessions with no idea in my head of what it was and basically what we are going to do. I was longing for a wonderful and surprising experience that the sessions might serve me. Yet indeed i was really surprised about the things that we were capable of doing with mapping. When everything was properly explained, it began to be so interesting and exciting that all of us can’t wait to go to the open street map to explore it on our own. I first started looking for my house, a friend’s house and even my classmate’s house. I couldn’t wait to create my first edit.

My first edit wasn’t actually included in the first task. hehe. I added the name of the building where i actually live in because there was no name on it. I used the iD Editor because at that time that was the editor that we have been introduced with. The following edits i made where a contribution of adding features such as buildings, streets, area and etc. on our country, the Philippines. And wow, we almost finished it in a matter of weeks. It was exciting adding helpful things on the map. I actually find mapping being so relaxing and it makes me more focused and i also feel fulfilled of the things that i have achieved in my mapping sessions.

Not be biased or so, i am quite disappointed about Google maps that they lack the services that openstreetmap offers. Google is the most used platforms in the internet yet openstreetmap is a hundred percent better at all costs. For example, I didn’t know where PUP San Juan was when i was enrolling. I know how to go there using our own family vehicle but i have no idea how to use public transportations for me to be able to go there. When i learned that openstreetmap provide the public transportation routes on their maps i was amazed and in awe realizing that this platform really does help people. Especially for people like me who aren’t really used to going out alone and isn’t really familiar with such places.

That’s when i actually knew that this is going to be the map that I’m going to use from now on. It has the places such as restaurants that are hard to find, it has information that are being shared by other people, information that are actually helpful, and it is like the next level of normal mapping. Everything is there. But to be logical, it is fairly impossible for everything to be mapped, that is why we volunteer to map to help other people.

At first i was like how? but then it all made sense when my proctor elaborated the fact that there are people in the world that is not on the map and were having a hard time being located by the government to be able to receive help whenever they are in need. There were times that we urgently mapped those places that are in a state of calamity for the authorities to be able to reach them in no time.

We also have a task to map our own neighborhoods and this is where we are introduced to other useful tools such as the field papers where we can render and export our neighborhoods into a printable type of document. The fieldpapers where really helpful it is like the top view of what you are seeing in reality that is why it is easier to map what building is what especially when it comes to the house numbers and names of the stores.

The next platform is the Mapillary wherein we took photos around the neighborhood to have a street view of it. I find this helpful especially when i forgot what building is what i just look back on what i have photographed.

All of these tools and procedures made me more familiar in the place that i live in and made me understand more of the ambience it gives. I am now aware of what was around me all these times. I have been living in this place for only 3 years and i really refuse to go around and wander the streets of this neighborhood due to the fact that there were lots of incidents that have happened in this neighborhood.

Mapping my neighborhood is the most exciting activity in CWTS++ because it is a process not an all-out activity that you have to finish in a day. I like how we can consult each other and my proctor about the things that we have already mapped and the information that we have gathered. I like that we are slowly building things to be able to achieve a certain success in mapping our neighborhoods.

Though there were still things that i have done in this semester in CWTS++ like being the diarist, being responsible in borrowing materials that are going to be used in the class and failing to do so. I like the fact that every last Thursday of the month our proctor invites speakers that has platforms and missions that acknowledges the use of openstreetmap. Thank you to all the speakers, it really helped us be awaken by what are the things that we really need in this country.

This experience has been so interesting even from the start and I will be forever thankful for this. It gives me the feeling of productiveness. I never knew that I could provide a willing service to people in such a small way of mapping. I am proud that I did this as my NSTP-CWTS because it is something that is very unique and different that it makes me feel proud and honored to be a part of this mission. I am still willing to map and I will never going to forget about what I have learned in all of the sessions. I would like to thank Sir Olario for teaching us with patience and thank you for this wonderful experience. Hope to see you soon again! This Is not the end of my mapping journey :)