Years ago, in 2018 specifically, I was introduced to Open Street Map. As a then-Human Resource Assistant, I was in-charge in monitoring the locations of our sales personnel working on the field through the GPS application installed in their mobile phones. But at that time, I had no clue what this is, so, dare I say, I hated using OSM. So, I then ask the developer if I can use Google Maps/Satellite instead. And my wish was granted.

Then in 2020, I joined my current organization where I was introduced to GIS and QGIS. I forgot if it was during my first introduction to GIS or another occasion that reintroduced me to OSM. And my reaction was “Eeek, no.” Thus, the tale of “I Hate OSM” continues since I’ve barely used OSM whenever I create a map.

I never thought about that until now. Until the very second, I decide on this diary’s story of how life is a funny yet wise entity. How it gave me the understanding I lacked 4 years ago and offered me an opportunity to explore more about OSM. And this enlightenment would never have happened if it wasn’t for my GIS sensei, Ferdinand Dailisan, and the Pista ng Mapa X State of the Map 2022 organizers. You see without Sir Ferdinand informing me about PNMxSOTMA2022 and the organizer’s generosity to grant me as one of their travel fund grantees, I would not be here. I won’t be at the conference where my metamorphosis began.

During my whole PNMxSOTMA2022 experience, I got three E’s: experience, enjoyment, and enlightenment.

The first E, experience, began when I landed in Bicol and was greeted by the magnificent Mt. Mayon Volcano. As a Filipino, I know about Mt. Mayon and have seen pictures of her. But when I saw her in person, I now understand why this beauty is renowned. And I will never feel or see Mt. Mayon the same way again. No photo can capture her beauty, so you must see her in person. The next is just the whole conference. When I say, I did not expect anything from the conference I mean, that what I got from it has been more than eye-opening (I’ll share that later). I was blown by the topics presented, by the expertise and brilliance of the presenter, and most of all, by the love and dedication to providing free, open-source data to everyone. Another experience is the food. All I can say is that I found love in what I ate in Legazpi. Not only those that were served during the event but also the ones I ate outside. Hi, Sili Ice Cream!

The second E, enjoyment, comes from the form of the audience. I expected the conference to be full of experts who are maybe in their 30s and above. But I was delighted to see young faces. And gosh, I felt old and outdated to see these young mappers already contributing much. Nonetheless, I enjoyed their antics. I enjoyed the social events organized. I enjoyed the chance to explore even a little part of Legazpi City. Definitely had fun living a double life of an employee working at home and a participant in PNMxSOTMA2022. Of course, I enjoy the talks. Because these talks, lead me to my third E, enlightenment.

There is much enlightenment I had gotten during the whole event. But I think I want to focus on these two: the role of each mapper and my metamorphosis regarding OSM.

As a baby mapper, with limited interaction with other mappers and GIS experts, it never dawned on me how important mapping is. As in our organization, we are still using GIS as a visual presentation of our data per area, the impact of mapping is still not realized. But from all the talks, from the plenary to the presentation, I realize that mapping has shaped our world, our thinking, and our perception. It has been, case in point Mercator Projection. So, even if I’m a baby mapper whose role in the GIS community is still unknown, I know I have a role in this community. And for me, that’s spreading about GIS.

And for my metamorphosis experience. The same time that I determined the storyline of this post was also the same time I realized that my opinion and feelings about OSM changed. Maybe it was because of how the presenters shared their experience with OSM. Maybe it was the community who religiously and selflessly work on expanding OSM. Maybe it was the impact of OSM on the community. All I know is that I understood more about OSM. My feelings have changed. I may not yet be able to use it, but from the seedling of knowledge I have, I know one day I can utilize OSM the way many experts do. And hopefully, I can contribute to the OSM community and HOT one day. All I know is that I am ready to work with OSM again. This time a little wiser and more eager.

So, that’s it, I think. I know I haven’t shared as much of my experience and insights. But that’s okay because you can read them in my blog here.