Back in the days before I even travel and just opt to stay in the confines of my room in front of my computer, I already find my own country fascinating enough which was proven why some of our heroes have dedicated their lives to protect it from tyranny and abuse. From gaining access to satellite imagery, it has gained me more intrigue on a lot of locations in the Philippines that I have never been to. The question that has always lingered in my mind is "How do I get there?" And that question was the start of it all. That question is the start of my passion to know ways on how to get to this destination in the Philippines. Mapping the country was a geek stuff back then. However, it may still be until now, but I do always find it as easy as how you click the mouse button. Mapping the country helped me discover more things about each destination. And when there is no data to this specific destination... that has then fueled my desire to get to the place even with scarce data on how to get there.
It was an opportunity to discover then share the experience via a blog and the directions to a map.
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| Jomalig Island mapping expedition and Journeying James' Project Jomalig program |
Travel plus mapping: That is what Schadow1 Expeditions is all about. I try to find ways to ensure that geek stuff, gadgets, computers and the outdoor mix well.
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| Our mapping expedition at Camiguin at the crater of Hibok-Hibok Volcano |
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| At Donsol, Sorsogon for our mapping expedition for Bicolandia |
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| Bohol expedition |
But then, mapping is not only beneficial to the tourist, the backpacker, the driver, and the traveler. Maps has been used for decades on humanitarian planning. And the recent disaster that was brought about by the strongest storm ever recorded has hit the Philippines, the map has become a major tool for relief operations. And such, the map Schadow1 Expeditions contribute to, together with a thousand of other mapping advocates around the world; they have updated the map of the Philippines tremendously in record-breaking levels of 2 million updates in just 2 weeks. Far flung from my personal record of 300,000 updates in over 2 years of mapping over Openstreetmap Philippines. This data has then been compiled and distributed for free to be used on their GPS devices to help them "get there" even without internet connection. The said map can be downloaded at our #mapPHL page.
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| Palaui Island mapping expedition |
For the first time in history, the American RedCross, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), the International Organization for Migration, and other private and government rescue and relief agencies has used the same map to mobilize the relief operations. That is how important a map is to our community.
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| The American Red Cross using the map Schadow1 Expeditions contribute to |
For our first year, we dedicate the blog's success and the maps we contribute to to our readers and friends, including the Pinoy Travel Bloggers, mountaineering community and mapping advocates we meet along the way. Schadow1 Expeditions have a long way to go in terms of getting to be a hub for mapping advocates and travelers of the Philippines. There are also still a lot of provinces in the Philippines that we need to go to so we can enjoy and map it. As of this time, we have only barely covered only about 70% of it. We can only do so much on how our own pockets can accommodate our advocacy and wanderlust. Although the mapping advocacy entail costs and gadgets to come with it, we do hope that generous advertisers to come in help boost our advocacy to its realization and mutually benefit from it.
Ervin Malicdem
November 26, 2013
Cavite, Philippines
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