20 years of Philippine Internet and The Birth of Crowdsourcing

The Philippines celebrates the 20th year of the existence of internet in the country. It has revolutionized communications in the country and opened up the minds of our countrymen that a foreign country is not totally heaven after all; and our country has much more to offer. It also has opened up virtual societies which literally turned the world small and much information is accessible with just a click of a button right inside your home. As for myself, the essence of the internet is when it led to the birth of crowdsourcing.

New Elevation Contour Map of the Philippines

Schadow1 Expeditions has recently rolled out the newest elevation contour map of the Philippines to which the data is based on two recent missions. One is from NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) last 2000 and the joint NASA and METI Aster Global Digital Elevation Map mission last 2011. Using both data has further improved the existing GroundTruth map based on SRTM data; therefore fixing even the artifacts and blanks which is present on most peaks and mountainous regions in the Philippines.

Visual Improvements Update - GPS Routable Map of the Philippines

Starting map version 20140321, the GPS routable map of the Philippines based on Openstreetmap data and compiled by Schadow1 Expeditions has a new look. This is to enhance visibility of the types of roads and points-of-interests (establishment icons) while on the road. The map style has been revamped to make driving, biking, and trekking the Philippines easier; so you can travel and explore more without getting lost.

The OSM Philippine GPS Routable Map is now Lane Assist Compatible

You are a new driver and have been overwhelmed about the lanes in Manila. You need to turn right so you start turning to the right lane. As you get nearer to your destination, you found out that you need to take the ramp on the left lane so you can go and cross to take the street on your right. You need to swerve, but it is too late, the MMDA enforcers are there ready to apprehend you because of swerving. How you wished your Philippine GPS map is compatible with lane-assist navigation.

Of Chasing Sunsets and Sunrises

It was a Thursday night on the way to work. One fateful night of the 30th of April, 2009. I have been working hard for over seven years and coming from a dying business venture I have solely focused on for over eleven years. Striving to adapt with the dirty corporate politics; to where the talent of exaggerating words coming from the mouth have more weight and substance than what can actually be delivered. Running up a motorcycle at a hundred kilometres per hour, a sedan driven by an inexperienced female driver ahead of me running at the same speed, for no reason at all, decided to make a sudden stop. A split second. That is all I had. It was a decision to either make a sudden overtake or hit the brakes. Unfortunately, an incoming 18-wheeler truck is on my side and there is one logical thing to do… hit the brakes. Last thing I heard was a foul cry of screeching rubber against the asphalt. Broken glass and crumpled metal sheets were the last thing I saw that night.