The Filipino Google Maps Expert

Posted on May 22nd, 2008. Written by Rico.

In recent years, Google Earth has become more relevant to Filipinos. The popular service compiles “satellite imagery, aerial photography and GIS 3D globe” (Wikipedia) into a seamless virtual globe that users can play around with.

Part of Google Earth’s appeal is that it allows a bird’s eye view of many places—with enough detail that users can make out landmarks, buildings, and even naked sunbathers. The service is also controversial, as exemplified by this report on terrorists using Google Earth to plan attacks.

Another problem is that the world is a big place, and while Google Earth continues to add new locations to its database, countries in the Philippines are literally left in the dark. But right now there’s a lot of Filipinos places available on Google Earth, and its people like Eugene Alvin Villar who keep track of Philippine additions to Google Earth.

The number Filipino locations open to virtual travel via Google Earth grows constantly, a concept that drives another blog Mr. Villar maintains, Vista Pinas. Thanks to him, we now know that the Philippines is home to the awesome Magat Dam (pictured above). And, we also got a sneak peek into Erap’s controversial rest “houses”.