State of the Map Latam 2025/Call for venues/Medellín
Intro text
Team
All of us are members of Colombia's OpenStreetMap community.
Our team members
Andres Gomez (AngocA on osm) - Volunteer in OpenStreetMap since 2009, leading the Colombia and LatAm communities since 2020. Dedicated to solve notes, create events and member of the HOTOSM brigade. His aim is to integrate the community to strengthen the map in the region.- Sebastian Bravo - Volunteer member of OSM since 2022. Founder of the SAGEMA chapter of Youthmappers. Data validator of the Humanitarian Mapping Brigade of HOT's HUB LAC. Member of the board of directors of the Association of Collaborative Mapping of Colombia (AC3).
- Yessica De los Rios - OSM Volunter since 2018. YouthMappers Regional Ambassador 2021. Coordination of mapping projects with focus in risk management.
- Angie Trujillo - OSM volunteer mapper and validator in Latin America, active participant in UN Mappers training sessions, volunteer social media manager for OSM Colombia, and member of the OpenStreetMap Foundation.
- Leonardo Gutierrez - LGBTQI+ advocate, Mapbeks founder, HOT Voting member & Community Manager (Asia-Pacific hub), Pista ng Mapa x SotM Asia 2022 core team member, SotM Asia 2023 volunteer
Most members have experience organizing conferences, mapping activities and community events (online and in-person).
Major conference experience
- State of the Map Philippines 2013 – Eugene and Maning
- State of the Map Asia 2016 – Eugene and Maning
- HOT Summit 2021, unSummit 2022 / Open Summit 2023-2024 - Arnalie, Mikko, Honey
- State of the Map 2021-2022 (online), 2024 (ongoing) - Arnalie
Success Story: State of the Map LATAM 2024
Pista ng Mapa (Festival of Maps) is the pioneer and premier free (as to cost and as in freedom) and open conference in the Philippines made for and by people who have a passion for open mapping, open data, and open source. It is an outreach activity to generate public interest, advocate and advance the use of open (geo) data, promote free and open source software for geospatial (FOSS4G), and support local open mapping communities around the Philippines.
Since the first Pista in 2019, it has brought together countless participants from different backgrounds to celebrate open source, open data, and open geospatial and have inspired new members to join, help, or start their own communities.
It is an event run wholly by volunteers and advocates from the local OpenStreetMap, OSGeo/FOSS4G, and other map-py communities.
In 2022, Pista ng Mapa is the co-event of State of the Map Asia 2022. Thus, SotM-Asia was held in the province of Albay in the Philippines’ Bicol Region. The two events were successful, owing to the following:
- Organizers: The head organizers are well-versed in bringing communities together, and have a good network of volunteers and vendors/suppliers. They are experienced in coordinating huge events related to OSM.
- Venue: Partnering with a university was strategic to secure bigger halls for the main session, auditoriums, or classrooms for breakout rooms, as necessary.
- Volunteers: Partnering with a university also allowed us to tap the skills of student organizations, who assisted us with pre- and post-event publicity, registrations, programs, and overall coordination of guests.
- Program: The program has accepted presentations and grouped them into the two events accordingly: Pista Ng Mapa (Days 1 to 2) for local/Filipino presenters, and State of the Map Asia (Days 4 and 5) for international presenters. Workshops were held mid-week. This ensured that Filipino presenters were represented during our own event, and that the spotlight was on international presenters for SotM-Asia. Additionally, programs allowed for a cultural showcase—participants were encouraged to come in their culture attire on the fourth day, and student volunteers showcased talents through songs and folk dances, reflecting our culture and hospitality.
- Participants: Throughout the event, we had a total of 225 local and 79 international participants. Of these participants, many are repeat attendees throughout the five-day conference (average of 192 local and 33 international). 43% identified as She/Her, 54% identified as He/Him, 2% identified as They/Them, and the remainder chose to rather not say).
For State of the Map 2025, we intend to replicate–or surpass–that success.
Venue
We are prospectively looking at hosting SotM 2025 at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), one of the country’s premier institutions for higher learning. This is referred to as Option 1 or UPD in this document. UP Diliman is located in Quezon City, the largest city in Metro Manila both in terms of population and land area.
Alternatively, we are looking at De La Salle University, another leading university in the Philippines. This is referred to as Option 2 or DLSU in this document. DLSU is located in the city of Manila itself.
Important Note (University Partnership and cost): We are in contact with both UPD and DLSU as prospective partner venue hosts. Should the partnership push through, venue costs could potentially be free or with minimal costs (see budget / estimated cost).
Option 1: University of the Philippines - Diliman (UPD) campus (Quezon City, Metro Manila)
Located at the University Belt (U-Belt) of Quezon City, Manila, it is accessible from all points of Metro Manila, including the city's historical, cultural and touristic centers, making it the ideal place to host State of the Map 2024.
Reservation of the the venue
We have already discussed this with the UPD President Office and they are open and happy about it. In addition, we have conducted State of the Map Asia 2016 and various OSM PH mapathons (including TY Haiyan response) in UPD.
Below are a variety of options for auditoriums and breakout rooms to choose from once the bid and partnership pushes through.
For how many visitors is the venue suitable?
Seating capacity of 300-500 people
Size of auditoriums / breakout rooms and floor plans
Depending on the number of participants, we have various options for different sessions.
| Addendum: Proposed venues in UPD, with capacity and nearby rooms for breakout session and holding area | ||
|---|---|---|
| Building / Location | Main Session | Breakout Room & Staff Room |
| UP Film Institute(map) | Seminar hall (Cine Adarna)(500+ seating capacity) | College of Engineering (Melchor Hall) / Eng’g Complex / National Engineering Center (with rooms up to 100 seating capacity) |
| NISMED (map) | NISMED Auditorium(300 seating capacity) | College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (Palma Hall)
(with rooms up to 100 seating capacity) |
| GT Toyota | GT Toyota Auditorium
(350 seating capacity) |
College of Law (Malcolm Hall) / The Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business (VSB) (with rooms up to 100 seating capacity) |
- UP Film Center (500+ seating capacity)
Seminar hall (UP Film Center Cine Adarna)
NISMED Auditorium (300 seating capacity)
NISMED also has a hostel and can be seen here.
GT Toyota Auditorium (350 seating capacity)
- Various CS Complex Auditoriums (e.g. National Institute of Physics where SotM Asia 2016 was held; Engineering and DGE theater, NEC facilities, and EEE Large Classrooms and Very Large Classrooms)
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes, UPD has ramps, and rest rooms are also available on each floor.
Option 2: De La Salle University (DLSU) - Manila campus (Manila City, Metro Manila)
Located at the University Belt (U-Belt) of Manila City, Metro Manila, it is accessible from all points of Metro Manila, including the city's historical, cultural and touristic centers, making it an ideal place to host State of the Map 2025.
Reservation of the the venue
If UPD doesn't push through, we will reserve DLSU. We have already discussed this with a prospect institute / department from DLSU (Dr. Andrew L. Tan Data Science Institute) and they are open and happy about it. In addition, we have recently conducted an OSM PH mapping party this month of May.
Below are a variety of options to choose from once the bid and partnership pushes through.
For how many visitors is the venue suitable?
Seating capacity of 300-500 people
Size of auditoriums , breakout rooms and floor plan
Depending on the number of participants, we have various options for different sessions. Meeting rooms for breakout sessions near and at the same building as the auditorium are available.
| Addendum: Proposed venues in DLSU, with capacity and nearby rooms for breakout session and holding area | ||
|---|---|---|
| Building / Location | Main Session | Breakout Room & Staff Room |
| Yuchengco Hall | Yuchengco Auditorium(up to 1,000 seating capacity) | We can reserve any room within same building for breakout sessions (70-100 seating capacity) |
| Henry Sy Sr. Hall (300 seating capacity) for socials/lunch/poster sessions (if any) | ||
We recommend taking Yuchengco Auditorium (up to 1,000 seating capacity) for the plenary/main sessions while reserving rooms (70-100 seating capacity) for breakout sessions in the same building (Yuchengco Hall). Socials/lunch/poster sessions (if any) can be hosted in the Henry Sy Sr. Hall (300 seating capacity if with tables).
- The Verdure, 4F Henry Sy Sr. Hall, De La Salle University - Manila (300 seating capacity if with tables)
- Yuchengco Auditorium, Yuchengco Hall, DLSU-Manila (1,000 seating capacity)
Credit: The Lasallian in Facebook
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes, DLSU has ramps, elevators and escalators inside the campus. Rest rooms are also available on each floor.
Cost (Venue and Catering)
Estimated Budget / Cost (for Venue and Catering only)
| Item | Description | UPD or DLSU (with partnership) budget in USD | UPD budget in USD | DLSU budget in USD |
| Venue rental (main hall + breakout rooms) | Including main hall, breakout rooms and contingencies | Free or with minimal cost due to university partnership ;)
~USD1,000 |
~USD2,000 / day
~USD6,000 for 3days |
~USD1,500 / day
~USD4,500 for 3 days |
| Catering | Catering of pre-conference meals and conference meals, and table setup | USD11-13 per person per day.
500 people for 3 days = USD16,000-19,000 |
USD11-13 per person per day.
500 people for 3 days = USD16,000-19,000 |
USD11-13 per person per day.
500 people for 3 days = USD16,000-19,000 |
| Total (range estimate) | USD17,000 -20,000 | USD22,000-25,000 | USD20,500-23,500 |
Detailed estimated budget breakdown can be sent as requested.
Venue
We are in contact with both UPD and DLSU as prospective partner venue hosts. Should the partnership push through, venue costs could potentially be free or with minimal costs (see budget / estimated cost).
Catering
In past we provided lunch and two coffee breaks, one in the morning, the other in the afternoon.
City
Infrastructure
- Accessibility - Quezon City and Manila City is not the strongest in terms of accessibility; however, there are PWD ramps and bike lanes in selected areas. Both UPD has accessibility ramps and bike lanes inside the campus, while DLSU has accessibility ramps, elevators and escalators with rest rooms in each floor.
- Communication - The venues (UPD/DLSU) offer a stable wifi connection in various areas in their respective campuses. For mobile data, there are plenty of cell providers to choose from: Globe, Smart, Touch Mobile, Sun Cellular, etc. Travelers will have their option upon arrival at NAIA as sim card stands can be found throughout the airport. The price range for 8GB of data for 1 week is from ₱90 - ₱120 ($1.6 - $2.2).
- Public Transport - The Metro Manila area (which includes both QC and Manila) has a large availability of public transport options: local tricycles, jeepneys, buses, and light rails. Other private services such as taxis and ride-sharing apps (Grab, Angkas, etc.) are also available at a higher cost. Check pamasahe.club to know the updated “pamasahe” or transportation fare.
- By Buses/Jeep Metro Manila has an extensive bus/jeep network that serves almost all primary to secondary level roads. Quezon City/Manila can be accessed by most buses. Fares are distance-based.
- By Rail Metro Manila is served by 3 light rail routes: the LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3. While there is no direct access from the airport, buses along the EDSA Carousel loop share the same stops with the MRT-3.
- By Taxi Right from the airport, there are taxi stands available if you opt for their service. Taxis charge a flag down rate of ₱40 that increases with travel time and distance. Coupon taxis cost more as they charge a flat-rate to go to any point as listed in their matrix but are more cost-efficient for larger groups.
- Ride-share apps Download the leading ride-sharing app, Grab, to access the multiple services they offer including ride-sharing and deliveries. Other apps for traveling around are Angkas (motorcycle), JoyRide (motorcycle and car), and Sakay.ph for public commute directions.
- Suggested commuter route (UPD): Take the UBE Express bus (see bus schedule here) from the NAIA Terminal 3 to Araneta City-Cubao. Board the MRT-3 train (check your route here) at Araneta-Cubao Station and alight at North Avenue Station. Walk through Trinoma and SM North EDSA malls and find the terminal for jeepneys going to UPD. Estimated price: UBE Express (₱200/$3.6) + MRT (₱16/$0.30) + Jeep (₱15/$0.30) = ₱231/$4.2
- Suggested private car route (UPD): From NAIA, you can travel through EDSA following the avenue and turning right on Quezon Avenue towards the Quezon Memorial Circle. Take the exit to Commonwealth Avenue then turn right towards the UPD sign. Alternatively, you can take the Skyway highway system (tolled road) exiting at Quezon Avenue and continuing as directed above. Use either Google Maps or Waze app to calculate and pick your routes.
- Suggested commuter route (DLSU): Upon exiting the NAIA terminal, look for the Airport Loop shuttle service. It is a free shuttle service that connects the airport terminals. Take the shuttle and get off at Terminal 3. Follow the signs to the Airport Terminal 3 of the Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT-1). Purchase a single-journey ticket or use a stored value card to ride the LRT-1. Board a southbound train (Baclaran direction) and alight at the Vito Cruz Station. Exit the station and walk towards DLSU, which is just a short distance walk from the station. Single-journey ticket price: ₱15.00 or $0.27
- Suggested private car route (DLSU): From NAIA, head towards Roxas Boulevard on the NAIA Expressway (NAIAx). Keep following Roxas Boulevard until you reach the intersection with Pablo Ocampo Sr. Street (formerly Vito Cruz). Continue driving straight until you reach a major intersection called Taft Avenue. You will see De La Salle University on your right side. The university has several entrances, so choose the one most convenient for you.
Was a SotM held in the same country in the previous year?
No. SotM LATAM was held in Asia, specifically in Japan in 2012 (Tokyo) and 2017 (Fukushima). We look forward to hosting the first SotM in Southeast Asia.
Safety
Is the country and/or city an LGBT+-friendly space?
- Philippines. The country has numerous pending bills for LGBT rights, including an anti-discrimination bill. Despite failing to pass, many anti-discrimination ordinances in the country exist on a local government level in eight provinces and various cities in the Philippines so far, including capital Manila. (Source: English Wikipedia article “LGBT rights in the Philippines”)
- Quezon City. In 2014, QC's Gender-Fair Ordinance was passed. It aims to create a safe environment and protect LGBTQIA+ individuals from all types of discrimination, such as refusing to provide services based on one's gender identity, verbal and non-verbal discrimination. (Source: Love Knows No Gender in QC)
- UP Diliman. UP Diliman has a history of advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and providing resources and support for its LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff. The university has organizations such as Babaylan, the oldest LGBTQ+ student organization in the Philippines, which promotes awareness, acceptance, and equality on campus. There are also other student organizations and initiatives that support the LGBTQ+ community and foster a safe and inclusive environment. Furthermore, UP Diliman has policies and programs in place that aim to prevent discrimination and promote equality. In 2015, the university adopted a Gender-Fair Policy that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. The policy also promotes the use of gender-neutral facilities on campus.
- Manila. The Manila city government approved an ordinance that penalizes discrimination against lesbians, gays, transgenders, queers and intersex or LGBTQI in 2020. (Source: Manila bans gender discrimination)
What about medical and travel safety?
Both Quezon City and Manila City are in the Metro Manila region and have nearby health facilities and numerous travel alternatives. UP Diliman has a health service center called the UP Health Service (UPHS) that provides medical services to students, faculty, and staff. The UPHS offers primary healthcare, consultations, and referrals to specialists when needed. They also provide emergency medical services during office hours. UP Diliman is also located in Quezon City - an emerging healthcare hub north of Metro Manila. You will be proximal and accessible to among the best private and public hospitals. Similarly, it is less than 20 minutes drive to specialized health centers like the Philippine Heart, Kidney and Lung Centers.
Vaccinations required/recommended
COVID-19
Since August 2023, presentation of vaccination status and vaccination certificate for COVID-19 is no longer required. All arriving international travelers are accepted regardless of their vaccination status.
Malaria
Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for foreigners traveling to Palawan and Mindanao islands. No malaria transmission in metropolitan Manila (the capital) or other urban areas. (Source)
Dengue
Dengue is a risk to travelers going to the Philippines. Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset. No vaccine or medication protects against dengue. It is recommended to follow these tips to prevent mosquito bites.
Additional travel guidelines:
The Philippines has introduced a new health declaration form to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. All individuals traveling to the Philippines must complete the Philippines eTravel before entering the country.
Check: https://etravel.gov.ph/
What about terrorism or criminalism?
Both Quezon City and Manila City are in the Metro Manila region and have nearby health and safety facilities (e.g. police station and fire stations). Both cities are diverse in terms of population. Most Filipinos also speak English.
Is the location compatible with the OSMF's SotM safety policy?
We are confident that the Philippines in general, and Metro Manila in particular, is widely compatible with the SotM safety policy.
Travel/Transportation
How good is the place reachable internationally?
Metro Manila is served by two major international airports. The main hub is the Ninoy Aquino International Airport or NAIA (IATA: MNL), located around 10 kilometers south of Manila proper, and 20 kilometers south of Quezon City. NAIA is the country’s busiest airport serving over 40 million passengers annually (before the pandemic) and has numerous direct flights to various cities in Asia, Australasia, and North America.
The secondary airport for Metro Manila is Clark International Airport (IATA: CRK), located some 85 kilometers north of Manila in Angeles City, Pampanga. Clark serves as a hub for various local and foreign low-cost carriers and is reachable from Manila by numerous point-to-point commercial bus services.
What kind of visa restrictions are there?
The Philippines can be visited visa-free from 157 countries for periods ranging from 14 to 59 days. Most visitors can additionally pay a visa fee to extend their stay, with further extensions possible. See the Wikipedia article “Visa policy of the Philippines” for more details.
Special cases
- Are you below 15? To prevent child trafficking, Philippine law mandates that persons under the age of fifteen who are either arriving unaccompanied or are not accompanied by their parents may be denied entry into the Philippines. It is possible to obtain a “waiver of exclusion ground” (WEG) which grants entry to underage minors, which must also be pre-arranged in Manila before arriving.
- Nationals of India and China. Generally, Chinese and Indian nationals need a visa to enter the Philippines. However, nationals of China traveling as tourists and holding a valid visa issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, the United States, or a Schengen Area state may enter the Philippines without a visa and stay for up to 7 days. Nationals of India holding a valid visa issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States, or a Schengen Area state may enter the country without a visa and stay for up to 14 days.
How about the affordability of travel?
- Air travel. Round-trip economy flights from various cities in Southeast Asia and East Asia are generally within the 100–300 USD range. Round-trip economy flights from the Middle East, Japan, and Australia are generally under 1000 USD.
- Accommodations. Most 2 to 3-star hotels in Metro Manila are available for around 50–100 USD per night. The metro area is also home to numerous AirBnB places.
- Public transportation. See the section above “City” for more information.
Dates
We are not sure about a date just yet. We are planning to hold SotM2025 for three (3) days around May - August in UPD, or May or September in DLSU.
Other special features of the venue
Are there any other special features of the venue that we should consider?
OSM Philippines community has built strong relationships and networks with local communities, NGOs, local governments, universities and corporate sponsors.
For volunteers and administrations, we hope to source them with students, faculties, and YouthMappers chapter from the university (UPD or DLSU). Through this partnership, we can mobilize student teams for assistance in:
- Programs
- Registration
- Communications and Publicity
- Sponsorships
- Emergencies / Miscellaneous
For local sponsors, see previous Pista Ng Mapa sponsors that can be prospective local sponsors for SotM 2025.
In addition, Filipinos has wide variety of cuisines and also caters international cuisines, depending on the individual’s palate.
Video recording equipment
We can record. To ensure a smooth and uninterrupted conference experience, it is advised to secure reliable video recording equipment from an external source to prevent potential interruptions.
Stream is also possible via OBS, but the team strongly suggests organizing an in-person conference to facilitate direct engagement and participation among attendees. This strategy allows participants to focus completely on the conference experience without any distractions or technical obstacles that could come up during live streaming.
By recording the sessions, we can guarantee that the material will be properly recorded and uploaded online after the conference, allowing people to access and benefit from the valuable discussions and presentations whenever they desire.
Side note: DLSU is equipped with AV services.
Endorsements
We are requesting OSM communities, members and organizations who would be interested in seeing SotM in Manila to endorse our bid below!
Instructions for Endorsement- Log in to the wiki if you are not already logged in. - Scroll down to Endorsements and click 'Edit source'. - Add your reason for the endorsement followed by four tilde signs --~~~~ Note: The ~~~~ automatically inserts your name and the current date.Below is an example an endorsement.
- I fully endorse this bid - I've heard good things about OSM Philippines :-) --name
Community endorsements
- The OSM community in the Philippines is very strong. All of them are fun to be with and they make sure everyone feels welcome. Lezgo OSM PH galing niyo po hehe :> Markelrivers (talk) 05:28, 21 July 2024 (UTC)
- Seeing how the OSM Philippines community has successfully hosted and organized events such as but not limited to Pista ng mga Mapa and SOTM Asia, I support and endorse this bid. -Ianlopez1115 (talk) 13:32, 21 July 2024 (UTC)
- I have been fortunate in spending several years in total in the Philippines - as a US Peace Corps volunteer, and more recently through my work at Red Cross. In my work, I've collaborated with the OSM PH community. It's a wonderful country and a vibrant OSM community. I endorse this bid. - Danbjoseph (talk) 14:16, 21 July 2024 (UTC)
- It is high time for SOTM to happen in Asia! - Mikko Tamura ockim16
- The OSM community in the Philippines works tirelessly day in and out and they coordinate activities all round Asia Pacific Hub , Other communities like Map Beks lend a strong support. It is high time to get SOTM to Asia , Philippines , Kudos for OSM Philippines to make the bid (Pawan).
- I have seen very enthusiastic people from the Philippines in the OSM Community. The OSM Philippines community is very well-experienced with hosting the SotM events as we have experienced in multiple SotM Asia events, they were in the forefront. - Arkarjun (talk)
- The OSM Philippines community are an amazing group of people, highly motivated and very capable of making the SOTM a success. The Philippines would also make it a good place to travel to with relatively low/now visa requirements, good connections and being a great place to visit. I fully endorse their bid. --Seastar3879 (talk) 03:51, 24 July 2024 (UTC)
- Organizing SOTM in the Philippines would be fantastic! It would mark the first time it's held in Southeast Asia. Monica May (talk) 06:22, 24 July 2024 (UTC)
- Hearing about this initiative, I am very happy to support it. The Philippine OSM community is the largest and strongest community in Southeast Asia and has also been an inspiration to the OpenStreetMap community in Timor-Leste. As a member of the OSM community in Timor-Leste, I strongly support this event being held in the Philippines and its potential to promote and inspire more OSM users in SEA countries - Ponsyano, 17:36, 24/07/2024 (GMT+9).
- The OSM Philippines community is one of the most amazing groups of people in the South Asian region. their expertise in community development is outstanding, and they have highly motivated team with a lot of community management skills. They are very capable of making the SOTM success. I highly recommend and endorse OSM Philippines for SOTM. Warm regards from OSM Sri Lanka. MalingaGIS (talk) 13:18, 24 July 2024 (UTC)
- I've had the pleasure of working with members of the OSM Philippines community for several years. Their dedication to building a community and expanding use of OSM is seen at local levels up through NGOs and governments in the region. I have no doubt this would be a great event with care taken in all aspects of planning. Would be great to see this event in the region! - Giblet (talk) 16:38, 24 July 2024 (UTC)
- I wholeheartedly endorse OSM Philippines to host State of the Map 2025. Their proven dedication to the OpenStreetMap community, coupled with their impressive track record of organizing successful mapping events, makes them an ideal choice to lead this prestigious conference. On behalf of OSM Uganda KALUBA MICHEAL (talk) 12:42, 3 August 2024 (UTC)
- The OSM PH Community serves as a dynamic center of collaboration, consistently advancing OpenStreetMap's mission through the organization of mapping events and initiatives. Hosting State of the Map 2025 in the Philippines would celebrate the community's accomplishments and highlight the country's rich cultural diversity, making it an ideal setting for fostering global connections and advocating for open mapping and geospatial data. --Muhree (talk) 12:15, 9 August 2024 (UTC)
- Yes. Need more meetings in Asia. Jidanni (talk) 13:42, 8 September 2024 (UTC)