After at least six months of contributing a lot of nodes, ways and relations (and removing some), I realized that mapping takes time, trial and error, experience and checking out the Wiki section every once in a while.

I infrequently travel to Metro Manila, which brings in contributions for OpenStreetMap. Recently, I had a mapping expedition from the SM Mall of Asia complex (the location for this post) to Parkway Village and back last January 18. According to one of my previous posts, I placed the location of the new GMA Network Studios somewhere here. Back then, I was looking for the location of the new building, and some of the news related to it didn't show too much info regarding its location (examples: skip to "Raising the Bar" at the bottom part of the article; read the entire column).

Until I passed by that area on that fateful day, I wasn’t aware that it was just northeast of the GMA Network Center building. But on the way back, I felt that the new building is just waiting there in its spot. After approaching the GMA/Kamuning MRT Station, there it was. It took me a while to sketch it and other points of interests along the way (Aurora and Tuazon tunnels for example).

… See full entry

The problem that was the "sinking" of portions of Metro Manila is/was solved. Apparently, that problem only surfaced in osmarender, and not in Mapnik. Again, thank you for your help in solving that problem.

While trying to improve Metro Manila, I saw spots while fixing the Pasig River (somewhere in the Quezon Bridge portion, If I can recall it). Apparently, I clicked on one green node, which was attached to a way. That's where the problem started. After logging out, I saw my edits, and some areas from Makati and Mandaluyong to Quiapo were "underwater".

I logged in again at 8 PM (PHT), and there were ways that were stacked, with the same rendering.

===The Example===
---Layer 1: layer=-1, natural=water, waterway=river/riverbank---
---Layer 2: layer=-1, natural=water, waterway=river/riverbank---
---Layer 3: layer=-1, natural=water, waterway=river/riverbank---
---No more---
===End of Example===

I deleted the 2 layers, but I could delete the entire "river" in the process. In some places, it has four layers. I urgently need help on how to fix it.

Also, I'd like to aplologize to the Pinoy OSM community for screwing up the crucial ways and/nodes that made the Pasig river possible.

Update (Jan 1, 2009): So far, it is/was fixed by user:remzamora many hours ago, but the rendering between the Malacañang Palace and somewhere between the districts of Santa Ana and Pandacan are kinda way off. But that is for another diary entry.

Again, thank you rem for fixing it.

Update (Jan 3, 2009): thanks, rem for correcting me; it was dkt or D Tucny who fixed it. thanks alot.

Since I don't know how to format external links, I decided to post it on my Multiply site. Read it at http://ianlopez1115.multiply.com/journal/item/52/Mapping_Manila_and_beyond_OSM_style and please, do place your comments on this diary entry, not on the said URL.

Hours (if not days) ago, the GMA Network, Inc. announced the opening/launch of their 2 new studios in a building that they built since 2006 and was completed days/weeks/months back. The trouble is that it is near the GMA Network Center (the tall building with the GMA Network logo in it - the one with a rainbowish colored heart [I'm not sure] - placed at the extreme upper portion of the said building), and I haven't been there for over 5 years. My best bet is that it is just just a short stroll from one side of Samar Avenue to another.

Still, it didn't stop me from adding ways and some nodes in Pasig City (Between C5 & Marikina River), the area east of the Wack-Wack Golf & Country Club, the Makati CBD, and certain areas in Metro Manila.

I'm too tired to continue. Maybe next time, I'll elaborate on why I'm not doing my work in San Pablo City.

Since my last post, I added city and town boundaries in the Metro Manila area, which will possibly profit OSM users in the Metro Manila area and possibly tourists and visitors. Also, I fixed nodes and waypoints and added new ones (an example of this is the Silver City Automall and the "nearby streets" [south of Eagle Drive]). I got the info for the boundaries from personal knowledge, previous travels to some of the areas, and Yahoo! imagery helped me a lot to accomplish it. I didn't use maps under copyright and I wrote down notes where the borders are.

Also, I decided to concentrate my mapping energies in the Metro Manila area just to help improve its coverage. San Pablo City, on the other hand, will have to be contented with the current coverage until I get a good GPS device. Still, I hope that many Filipinos will discover OpenStreetMap and use it freely, since it doesn't have that much copyright restrictions that other physical and interactive maps have (at least most of them).

If I made certain problems here, send me a message (but not through the comments section). I'd like to participate in a mapping party in the Mega Manila area, if not my own hometown.

I had no GPS with me when I ran last Sunday yet I finished 50 37/60 minutes in the 5K event. Still, I wasn't discouraged from adding more nodes and found some points of interests along the way (and finished at 50 minutes & 38 seconds).

For the longest time, the "monstrosity" (sorry for that term, way ahead of the oncoming criticism) called "that Recreational Center" (I can't just say its name, possibly tantamount to promotion), just got untagged. To be specific about it, I just removed the place=city tag on it so that the "visitors" don't have to see it yet again.

Also, I just improved some spots in Metro Manila (read: Makati City, eastern Mandaluyong City, Camp Aguinaldo, the Scout Area, somewhere in Novaliches & CAMANAVA & "downtown" Manila) and added some postal codes (ZIP Codes for others) on certain streets in one place or another.

That's enough for now. I gotta go, since I have a field trip tomorrow. hoppefully, a break from doing "OSM fieldwork".

I needed to find a better opportunity to get a GPS device (or whatever they call it), through GPStogo.

I also found an opportunity to map more areas of San Pablo City, through the upcoming Milo Marathon, (to be held on Sunday, August 24, 2008 to be specific about it).

The problem is that time and money are the enemy. And I am competing in the 5K competition, due to my young age.

I think that THIS is a good opportunity to expand the reach of OSM to the City of Seven Lakes. I have added some streetnames and improved the coverage in the poblacion (downtown) area and in areas near my home. Also, have you seen a "kinda big" improvement in Bicol (Connecting the Maharlika Highway from Lopez, Quezon to possibly Libmanan, Camarines Sur via Tagkawayan, Quezon)? I did that. And there are too much FIXME tags almost all over Laguna.

GPStogo could be very promising for a person like me. Since it gives a big opportunity to every OSM contributor in the developing countries, including the Philippines.

But since I can't wait, maybe I need a basic GPS device that can help in my contribs.

Since I don't have much time, I have to end this.

First of all, i don't hvae any GPS device, because i only earn an amount of possibly 2-3 US Dollars a day. I only depend on my own local knowledge. Second of all, there are some streets that aren't aligned, and sometimes are out of place.

And I can't coordinate with the local authorities related to "mapping out" areas of San Pablo City due to my "busy schedule". (Note: What i'm talking about is the San Pablo City in the Philippines and its coverage is quite messy.)

Hopefully, you have a GPS device and try to drive in the streets of San Pablo City and nearby areas (and possibly a good portion of the CALABARZON area) I appreciate your help.

Ian Lopez is out to help improve the world, by adding (and improving) places, streets & areas to the OpenStreetMap.

It's quite difficult to re-do the changes over here. Besides, Some info within 3 km was quite inaccurate 15-20 days ago.

As a local, I'd like to improve the roads of San Pablo City, and in certain cases, nearby roads.

Try to improve this area, if you can. Local knowledge is required for this "special job".