I thought there wouldn’t be much on my bucket list for 2025, but everything has turned into something magical that fills my mapper’s heart with joy. So much has been happening in our country lately—exhausting and heartbreaking events that test our strength as individuals and as a community. If only mappers could instantly make all our hopes happen, we would have done it already.

SOTM 2025 made me realize so many things: the effort every mapper puts in, the love they pour into their work, and the dedication to translating languages to make maps easier for everyone to understand. It reminded me that even small contributions can create big ripples. SOTM 2025 highlights the importance of mapping in so many areas: for disaster response, for raising awareness, for promoting inclusivity—by marking safe spaces for women and the LGBTQ+ community, mapping pet-friendly areas, and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Mapping is no longer just about roads and buildings;

it's about people, stories, and making sure everyone is seen. It’s about resilience, unity, and creating a shared vision for a better, safer, and more inclusive world. And every story that we put into the maps results in something exquisite — something that speaks of hope, of belonging, and of the quiet power of communities coming together. Each point, each line, each place mapped becomes a reflection of care — a reminder that we are mapping not just for today, but for the future we believe in.

And also, a big shoutout to

UPRI YouthMappers!

Ever since I started as a YouthMapper and a member of the OSM community, I’ve always looked up to them and admired the impact they’ve made. Their dedication, leadership, and passion for using mapping as a force for good continue to inspire many of those who are just starting out. To the UPRI YouthMappers — thank you for leading by example. You show us that young people can shape the world, one map at a time. Keep going. Keep building. And keep reminding us that we all have a place on the map.

And to everyone who made SOTM 2025 possible here in the Philippines — kudos! Your hard work, passion, and commitment have created a space where ideas can grow, voices can be heard, and communities can connect. You’ve shown that when people come together with purpose, we can build something truly meaningful. Thank you for reminding us of the power of maps and mapping — not just as tools for navigation, but as instruments of change, inclusion, and empowerment. Through mapping, we give visibility to the unseen, amplify voices that are often unheard, and bring attention to places that matter. You’ve reminded us that mapping is not just technical work — it is advocacy, it is community-building, it is action. Every map created is a step toward equity, resilience, and a future where no one is left behind.