Pista ng Mapa is a term in Filipino that means “Map Festival.” It is a celebration of the art and science of mapmaking, and is typically held in the Bicol University East Campus in Legazpi, Albay. As a first-timer, it is a unique and interesting experience to learn about the history and importance of mapmaking, and to see the various maps and other related exhibits on display. I would recommend giving it a try and attending the festival to learn more about this fascinating subject.

As the facilitator of a workshop at Pista ng Mapa (a workshop on using Python for geospatial), my role was to help guide the participants through the learning process and to ensure that they had a positive and engaging experience. This involved preparing and organizing the workshop materials, introducing the topic and objectives of the workshop, facilitating discussions and activities, and providing support and guidance to the participants. I was also responsible for making sure that the workshop stayed on track and met its goals and objectives. Overall, my goal as a facilitator was to help create a learning environment that was engaging, interactive, and informative for the participants.

I would like to express my gratitude to Pista ng Mapa and State of the Map Asia for providing a platform to celebrate the art and science of mapmaking. The festival is a unique and interesting event that brings together people from different backgrounds and allows them to learn about the history and importance of maps. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the festival and to be a part of the community of map enthusiasts. Thank you for organizing and hosting this wonderful event.

I would also like to express my gratitude to the WebDev team and the UPRI for their support and contributions to the Pista ng Mapa.

Photo credit: Pista ng Mapa (https://www.facebook.com/PistaNgMapaPH), Ms. Feye Andal and Mrs. Janice Carpo-Aldea