PNU Geography and GeoSpatial Training and Research Laboratory

02/08/2026

🌊 How does a community respond when land subsidence, tidal flooding, and sea-level rise combine to submerge homes, roads, and schools for months at a time?

WTA Labs: Center for Urban Research sat down with our Laboratory Head and Chief Researcher, Asst. Prof. Timothy James L. Cipriano, to discuss Project SiDReP (Sinking Deltas Research in the Pampanga River Delta) — our Lab's overarching research program that examines how land subsidence intersects with flooding dynamics, livelihood, and learning continuity across Hagonoy, Calumpit, Macabebe, and Masantol.

The interview covers the geographic and hydrological context of the Pampanga River Basin, the five research areas guiding the project, and the lab's community-based methodology — including how fieldwork is conducted, how trust is built with residents, and how local knowledge (from fisherfolk observing shifting bridges to elders recalling past agricultural cycles) informs the research design. The conversation also addresses the project's implications for education policy, particularly how prolonged flooding disrupts learning continuity in affected schools.

📖 Read the full interview here:

A feature post introducing PNU GeoSTaR Laboratory and Project SiDReP, highlighting their research on flooding and land subsidence in the Pampanga River Delta in Bulacan and Pampanga.

25/07/2026

For years, billions of pesos have gone into flood control projects across Metro Manila — yet heavy rains still bring the city to a standstill. What is going on?

Our Laboratory Head and Chief Researcher, Asst. Prof. Timothy James L. Cipriano, breaks down the science and systemic issues behind this recurring crisis in a new documentary by DW Environment.

🎥 Watch the full documentary to hear his insights: https://www.dw.com/en/why-manila-keeps-flooding-despite-billions-spent-on-defenses/video-78101042

Video courtesy of DW Environment

21/07/2026

𝗟𝗮𝗯 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 | 𝗣𝗡𝗨 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗦𝗧𝗮𝗥 𝗟𝗮𝗯 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀

The PNU Geography and GeoSpatial Training and Research Laboratory opens its doors for new members as it continues to expand its reach and further connect with students who are interested in conducting Geospatial Research.

Students who are interested may scan the QR code or click this link to answer the Membership Form:

https://forms.gle/Why6rTNZ1HHyE2Lx6
https://forms.gle/Why6rTNZ1HHyE2Lx6
https://forms.gle/Why6rTNZ1HHyE2Lx6

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For more inquiries and updates inside and across the GeoSTaR Lab, please do message us with these platforms:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PNUGeoSTaRLab/
Instagram:
𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙨. 𝙈𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙨.
#𝙋𝙉𝙐𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙎𝙏𝙖𝙍𝙇𝙖𝙗

18/07/2026

Why does defending science also mean defending the people who do it?

Written from Ghent last May, the dispatch from our Lab Head and Chief Researcher, Asst. Prof. Timothy James L. Cipriano (), reflects on how red-tagging threatens community science in the Philippines — and why defending it means defending the right of communities to observe, document, and speak about the conditions shaping their lives.

Link to the full dispatch: https://medium.com//still-the-deadliest-community-science-in-a-country-that-endangers-its-defenders-acb1f768506e

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For more inquiries and updates inside and across the GeoSTaR Lab, please do message us with these platforms:
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𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙨. 𝙈𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙨.
#𝙋𝙉𝙐𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙎𝙏𝙖𝙍𝙇𝙖𝙗

01/07/2026

𝗣𝗡𝗨 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗦𝗧𝗮𝗥 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲–𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳! 🌍✨

Joining the Laboratory Head and Chief Researcher, the Laboratory Co-Head, and the Research and Training Program Head are the Team Leads who will help strengthen the Laboratory’s work in research, training, extension, communications, and community-based geospatial initiatives.

Jhake Martin A. Cabiles will serve as Membership and Alumni Team Lead, overseeing recruitment, strengthens internal community-building, and maintains alumni engagement for long-term continuity.

Rean E. De Leon will serve as Publications and Promotions Team Lead, leading initiatives that communicate the Laboratory’s research, projects, and public engagements.

Diniella Claire F. Tobias will serve as Extension and Community Engagement Team Lead, helping advance the Laboratory’s commitment to meaningful partnerships, public service, and community-based geographic work.

Aivan Rake Zander G. Gandula will serve as Logistics and Documentation Team Lead, supporting the planning, coordination, documentation, and implementation of the Laboratory’s activities and programs.

With their support, the PNU GeoSTaR Laboratory looks forward to another year of meaningful geographic work and public service.

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For inquiries and updates, message us through:
Facebook: /PNUGeoSTaRLab
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𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙨. 𝙈𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙨.
#𝙋𝙉𝙐𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙎𝙏𝙖𝙍𝙇𝙖𝙗

29/06/2026

𝗣𝗡𝗨 𝗚𝗲𝗼𝗦𝗧𝗮𝗥 𝗟𝗮𝗯 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲–𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳! 🌍✨

As the new academic year begins, the PNU Geography and GeoSpatial Training and Research Laboratory (GeoSTaR Lab) proudly introduces the team who will guide its work in research, training, extension, and community-based geospatial initiatives.

Leading the Laboratory is Asst. Prof. Timothy James L. Cipriano, MSc, as the Head and Chief Researcher. His work connects physical and environmental geography, GIS, remote sensing, and community-based research. He currently serves as Head of the Center for Transformative Education of the Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences (FBeSS-CTE) and recently served as a visiting researcher at Department of Geography, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University, where he developed a preliminary GIS-based socio-hydrological framework for the Saltan River System in Kalinga, Philippines.

Joining him is John Aaron D. Corpuz, Co-Head of the Laboratory, who will help strengthen student leadership, coordination, and the Lab’s research and extension engagements. He recently moderated the second Anthology Dialogues of WTA Labs: Center for Urban Research on creating maps for good and previously served as President of PNU-Geografika.

Completing the core team is Aldrine L. Pascual, Research and Training Program Head, who will lead capacity-building, research support, and training initiatives. He currently serves as President of Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Kasaysayan (SAMAKA) and is a member of Project Saysay.

Together, the Core Leadership Team will continue advancing PNU GeoSTaR Lab’s commitment to socially relevant, scientifically grounded, and people-centered geographic work.

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For inquiries and updates, message us through:
Facebook: /PNUGeoSTaRLab
Instagram: PNU Geography and GeoSpatial Training and Research Laboratory
𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙨. 𝙈𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙨.
#𝙋𝙉𝙐𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙎𝙏𝙖𝙍𝙇𝙖𝙗

20/06/2026

Why science for the people also needs curiosity?

In his latest dispatch upon returning to the Philippines from his research fellowship at Ghent University, our Laboratory Head and Chief Researcher, Asst. Prof. Timothy James L. Cipriano (), reflects on the importance of curiosity-driven research in asking deeper questions about landscapes, communities, risks, and development. He also underscores the urgency of responding to social and environmental problems through applied research.

Link to the full dispatch: https://medium.com//last-dispatch-from-ghent-in-defense-of-curiosity-driven-research-29c3c6569590

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For more inquiries and updates inside and across the GeoSTaR Lab, please do message us with these platforms:
Facebook: /PNUGeoSTaRLab
Instagram: PNU Geography and GeoSpatial Training and Research Laboratory
𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙨. 𝙈𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙨.
#𝙋𝙉𝙐𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙎𝙏𝙖𝙍𝙇𝙖𝙗

31/05/2026

With trees being cut down, what kind of city are we building?

In one of his last dispatches from Ghent as a visiting researcher before returning to the Philippines, our Laboratory Head and Chief Researcher, Asst. Prof. Timothy James L. Cipriano (), reflects on the cutting of trees along Quirino Avenue in the City of Manila and asks whether urban progress should come at the cost of livability and spatial justice.

Link to the full dispatch: https://medium.com/p/f0e36aea5ca7?postPublishedType=initial

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For more inquiries and updates inside and across the GeoSTaR Lab, please do message us with these platforms:
Facebook: /PNUGeoSTaRLab
Instagram:
𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙨. 𝙈𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙨.
#𝙋𝙉𝙐𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙎𝙏𝙖𝙍𝙇𝙖𝙗

30/04/2026

Our Laboratory Head and Chief Researcher, Asst. Prof. Timothy James L. Cipriano (), shares another dispatch from his ongoing research fellowship at Ghent University in Ghent, Belgium. In this reflection, he writes on community science, grief, and the urgent task of ensuring that science remains accountable to the people, especially in a political climate shaped by injustice, conflict, and unequal power.

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For more inquiries and updates inside and across the GeoSTaR Lab, please do message us with these platforms:
Facebook: /PNUGeoSTaRLab
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𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙨. 𝙈𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙨.
#𝙋𝙉𝙐𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙎𝙏𝙖𝙍𝙇𝙖𝙗

19/04/2026

Safe travels, Prof. TJ! ✈️

Wishing our Laboratory Head and Chief Researcher a meaningful and fruitful two-month research fellowship at Ghent University in Belgium. May this journey open new doors for collaboration, deepen your research, and inspire even greater impact in the work you lead in GeoSTaR Lab, PNU and beyond. 🚀

Your GeoSTaR Lab family is cheering you on—looking forward to the knowledge, stories, and breakthroughs you’ll bring home!

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For more inquiries and updates inside and across the GeoSTaR Lab, please do message us with these platforms:
Facebook: /PNUGeoSTaRLab
Instagram:
𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙀𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙨. 𝙈𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙨.
#𝙋𝙉𝙐𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙎𝙏𝙖𝙍𝙇𝙖𝙗