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Application for Recognition as a Wikimedia Chapter or Thematic Organisation

statusNew Application
Philippine Wikimedia Community - Chapter Application
To be incorporated asincorporation-default
summary of missionTo support the Wikimedia Foundation’s mission in the Philippines: To initiate, promote, participate, create, organize, develop and engage in projects, programs and activities that promote free, responsibly open-content resources and reference materials, in English and in different Philippine languages
home countryPhilippines
Organization social media accountwww.facebook.com/PhilippineWikimediaCommunity
Organization's latest annual reportPhilWiki_Community/Annual_Plan_2023/Report
Number of organization membershipPhilWiki_Community/Membership
endorse


Applicant Background

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History

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The Philippine Wikimedia Community User Group or PhilWiki Community (PH-WC), registered as the Philippine Wikimedia Community Inc., is a Wikimedia affiliate established as a free, open and vibrant organization of Filipino volunteers and content editors from the Philippines and abroad who believe in the mission and vision of the Wikimedia Foundation. PH-WC aims to initiate, promote, participate, create, organize, develop and engage in projects, programs and activities that promote free, responsibly open-content resources and reference materials, in English and in different Philippine languages through sustainable, creative and innovative projects, and through partnerships with local government units, government agencies, academia, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.

Since 1 June 2015, it has led various activities in the Philippines promoting Wikimedia projects as open educational resources. It has been organizing conferences for its contributors and community members, partnering with GLAM institutions and mission-aligned organizations, and supporting individuals organize Wikimedia communities. The Affiliations Committee recognized the User Group on 17 October 2015. The group's first activities in its initial period of recognition included outreach events at Minalabac and Naga City in Camarines Sur, supporting the Waray Wikipedia outreach activities held at Tacloban City and Palo town both in Leyte province, and Wikipedia Takes Rinconada at Iriga, Camarines Sur.

On 18 June 2019, PH-WC received the recognition from the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Republic of the Philippines as a non-stock non-profit corporation. Its first constitution and by-laws were adopted on 1 June 2016 and the first set of officers and board of trustees were elected on 28 March 2018. The community adopted its new constitution and by-laws on 21 May 2019.

Leadership

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PhilWiki_Community_Officers_2023-2024
Regular Board Meeting with other members in attendance, 12 August 2022
Regular Board Meeting with other members in attendance, 12 June 2021
PhilWiki Community Board of Trustees 2019-2020

PhilWiki Community maintains a gender diverse board, which has also elected the organization's first female president in 2023. Elected during the 2023 annual meeting of members held on March 18 is Maffeth C. Opiana, a junior high school teacher and Wiki Loves Philippines project lead, who succeeded Juan Bautista H. Alegre (who now heads the Pilipinas Panorama Community formerly the PhilWiki Community-Manila, an active community of Manila-based Wikimedians) becoming the first female head of the organization. Architect and college professional instructor Ian Kenneth L. Orasa is the current board chair, who replaced registered agriculturist and Wikimedia Commons contributor Zyra B. Hila, the second female board chair elected since the formation of the community in 2015. The remaining members of the board are senior high school teacher-Wikimedians Marife G. Altabano (treasurer) and Francis Charles D. Brioso, who are both serving their second term, and senior high school teacher and Wiki Women Filipinas program lead Maria Glenda P. Brioso (secretary). Bikol Wikipedia administrator Joseph V. Ciudadano is the current internal auditor.

The Board of Trustees of PhilWiki Community is composed of 5 members elected at the annual meeting of members held annually on the 3rd Saturday of March. As per the by-laws, immediately after their election, the trustees formally organizes by the election of a president, who shall be a trustee, a treasurer who may or may not be a trustee, a secretary who shall be a resident and citizen of the Philippines, and other officers: vice-president and auditor. Two (2) or more positions may be held concurrently by the same officer, however no one shall act as president and secretary or as president and treasurer at the same time. The officers of the corporation shall hold office for one (1) year and until the successors are elected and qualified. The officers of the corporation shall perform functions as required by existing laws, rules and regulations.

Membership

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Per Resolution on Member in Good Standing, a member in good standing is any person who has fulfilled the requirements for membership who neither has voluntarily withdrawn from membership nor has been expelled or suspended from membership; and has remained current on dues which cover a 12-month period.

Members in good standing affirm their commitment to the objectives of the association, and to its by-laws and policies. It is expected that members in good standing will work collaboratively to strengthen the Community and will not engage in any activities that put the association in financial or structural jeopardy, nor engage in any activities that will bring discredit to the to the Community.

Members in good standing are:

  1. Eligible to participate in all meetings, online and offline activities, [and] committee memberships,
  2. Eligible to apply for grants and fellowships, and
  3. Eligible to vote and be elected or appointed to executive board positions;

New members are eligible to vote immediately after applying for membership and payment of dues. A member who fails to attend two (2) successive annual general meetings of members, or to settle his/her membership fee within two (2) years after approval and annual dues in the last two (2) years, is considered an inactive member, who needs to apply for renewal of membership.

Key Programs and Activities

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  • Advocacy - Ian Kenneth L. Orasa is the Chair of Advocacy Committee (May 2023-present). He currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees and previously served as PIO from 2021-2022. Steven Fung and Ramon Olaño, Jr. held the chairmanship of the committee from 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, respectively. Steven Fung is one of the founders of the user group who has been involved in the Wikimedia movement since 2007 and represented the user group at the 2018 Wikimedia Conference held in Berlin, Germany. Ramon Olaño, Jr. has been involved with the Wikimedia movement since 2007 as a contributor on Bikol Wikipedia. He represented the user group at the 2016 and 2017 Wikimedia Conference held in Berlin, Germany. PH-WC has engaged in various activities in the promotion of free knowledge using different platforms and through engagement with various civic and non-government organizations which share a common interest with the organization.
On 15 October 2023, thru the Advocacy Program Committee head Ian Kenneth L. Orasa, PhilWiki Community collaborated with the Nueva Caceres Heritage Movement, Inc., the City Government of Naga, Centro Naga Business Club, Sumaro Bikolnon, UAP Camarines Chapter, Partido State University Center for Partido Studies, Partido State University Extension and Community Services Division, Bikol Historical Research Center, and ADNU Social Sciences Department, in the Celebration of the 437th founding anniversary of Ciudad de Nueva Caceres. Dr. Danilo M. Gerona delivered a comprehensive presentation on Revisiting La Ciudad de Nueva Caceres supported with documents from Archivo Franciscano Ibero Oriental, Museo Naval, Real Academia de la Historia and Biblioteca Nacional in Madrid, and the Archivo General de Indias in Seville. He talked about the glorious past of the Nueva Caceres as one of the first four Spanish royal cities in Asia.
From 25-26 October 2023, PH-WC promoted its language preservation and cultural heritage advocacies at the SIRANG Perspectives and Prospect: International Conference on Understanding the Contemporary Landscape Through the Lens of History and Heritage held at Ateneo de Naga University. PH-WC served as one of the partners in the international conference.[1]
On 19 June 2021, PH-WC new president Engr. Ralff Nestor Nacor served as a guest speaker on Chemical Engineers and the Food & Beverage Industry at the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers - Junior Chapter Luzon (PIChE-JCL) Fair 2021 attended by B.S. Chemical Engineering students from Luzon via Zoom. Aside from sharing his experience as a chemical engineer, he also presented his volunteer works as a Wikipedian advocating the science information in the local language.
On 18 March 2021, Wiki Loves Earth and Wikimedia Commons was among the talks at the Pagkarahay Art Festival 2021 organized by Kintab Artist Group, Inc. in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Minalabac and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) held in Minalabac, Camarines Sur. Then PH-WC president Irvin Sto. Tomas talked about the international nature photography competition and free licensing. The 8-day art festival was originally scheduled to be held in 2020 but was moved in March 2021 due to the CoViD-19 Pandemic featured webinars, zoom and live streaming, arts exhibits, art installations, performance arts, murals, films, bands, yoga, zumba, open mic, talks and workshops on arts, literary, theatre, music and dance, bringing in the theme “Pagkarahay: Isip, Lawas, Kalag” (Healing: Mind, Body & Soul).[2]
On 6 September 2019, former Advocacy Committee Chair Ramon Olaño served as one of the invited reactors being a seasoned Wikipedian at the Third Annual James O’Brien, SJ, Memorial Lecture Series: Preserving the Bikol Language – A Challenge to Bikolanos held at the Ateneo de Naga University in Naga City. The main lecturer was Dr. Jesus Federico Hernandez, an Associate Professor at the Department of Linguistics, University of the Philippines, and is currently the Director for Training of the Linguistics Society in the Philippines. Other reactors are scholars Fr. Wilmer Tria and Dr. Cyril Conde.
On 19 May 2018, as part of the Wiki Loves Earth Philippines community outreach activities, the team conducted promoted Wikipedia at Kurit-Kugit sa Rawitdawit sa Isla, a writing workshop organized by Catanduanes State University (CSU), The Statean, SurTe writers organization, and the provincial government of Catanduanes. The team discussed Wikipedia particularly the Central Bikol edition and invited the attendees to participate in the Wiki Loves Earth Philippines contest. Promotional leaflets and stickers were handed out to the participants.
Media promotion in television and radio programs and newspaper columns reach a wider audience and create interest among its subscribers. PhilWiki Community has appeared in a number of local media outfits while its members have been invited to share about its activities.
From 10-11 August 2022, Wikimania 2022 was promoted in radio stations wherein the community members also discussed the promotion of Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons in the Philippines. PhilWiki Community participated in a photowalk organized by Commons Photographers User Group held on 13 August within the old business district of Naga City in celebration of Wikimania 2022.
On 29 August 2020, Sto. Tomas along with fellow writers Marissa Redburn and Estelito Jacob served as resource persons on John Bongat's radio program Hapot mo, Simbag ko: Lenggwaheng Bikol, naghihinagdan? over Home Radio 95.1 during its Language Month episode. He highlighted Wikipedia in the interview.[3]
On 27 July 2019, community members Sto. Tomas and Olaño appeared on DWOK 97.5 TV program Ini An Totoo hosted by Ernie Verdadero and Ervin Borja. The Mother Tongue-based Multilingual Education policy under the K-12 Curriculum of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Wikimedia Movement was among the topics tackled in the program. Earlier in 2017, they went on-air and talked about Bikol Wikipedia and their participation at Wikimedia Conference on Naga City-based radio stations DWRN 657 khz, and DWRJ 96.1 AM.
  • Diversity - Maria Glenda G. Perico is the Chair of Diversity Committee (May 2023-present). Her first participation in the Wikimedia Movement was during the WikiGap Campaign in March 2020. Since then, she has actively participated in various activities of PhilWiki Community. Previously, Marvin Molin headed the committee. Marvin joined Wiki Takes Rinconada in 2015 and has been involved in Wikimedia Movement since then. He represented the user group at the 2019 ESEAP Wikimedia Strategy Summit held in Bangkok, Thailand. This committee was first chaired by Irvin Sto. Tomas (2019-2020) who was a member of the organizing team of WikiGap in the Philippines which aims to close the gender gap on the internet.
From 5-31 March 2022, the WikiGap Campaign in the Philippines was actively participated by junior and senior high school teachers and community members. On its 3rd year, a total of 89 new articles about women were created by the end of the campaign. The top 3 contributors are: User:Ringer (28 articles), User:Maffeth.opiana (26 articles), and User:Derk29 (19 articles). Eight other participants contributed at least 1 new article about women.
In 2021, in partnership with Developh Community, then PH-WC president Irvin Sto. Tomas introduced the activities of the organization and answered relevant issues related to Wikipedia and the Wikimedia movement.[4] The 1-hour WikiGAP: Closing the Digital Gender Gap discussion via livestream on March 5, 2021 to launch WikiGap in the Philippines.
In 2020, five participants improved at least 30 articles each during the campaign launch and they actively worked to improve the visibility of women in seven Philippine languages namely: Bikol, Cebuano, Ilocano, Kapampangan, Pangasinan, Tagalog, and Waray.
In March 2019, the Philippines started joining the global WikiGap Campaign. Participants focused on creating new articles on LGBTQ and Women related topics thru Translation. As a result, two Community members have made it to the top contributors, internationally.
The Philippines is one of the world’s most linguistically diverse countries, with over 190 documented languages. Many of these regional languages are experiencing a decline in use and there is often a shortage of written material. Documentation of the vocabulary of different Philippine languages is the main goal of the project. Lingua Libre Philippines is a future project of PhilWiki Community which aims to collect audios of the vocabulary of different Philippine languages.
Wikipedia Asian Month is an annual online event that occurs in November and which aims to promote Asian content on Wikipedia. PhilWiki Community has been promoting the campaign since 2015 by running the Bulan kan Asya nin Wikipedia, a local online Wikipedia activity promoting the creation or improvement of the Wikipedia content about Asia except the Philippines.
In 2021, Wikipedia Philippine Month was introduced by the Community as a monthly online event inspired by Wikipedia Asian Month which aims to promote Philippine content in Philippine Wikipedia editions and beyond. It also promotes the creation or improvement of the Wikipedia content about a particular group or groups of people in the Philippines and the region they represent. The monthly activity aims the collaboration among Filipino contributors within the archipelago and in the diaspora and create linkages among Filipino and non-Filipino contributors who support the main objective.
  • Education - Marife G. Altabano serves as the Chair of Education Committee (May 2023-present) and the current Board Treasurer. She is a Mathematics teacher at Cararayan National High School of Naga City Division, and Master of Arts in Mathematics Education student at Bicol University. Previously, Leah B. Banastao, a faculty member of Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, served the committee from 2020-2021. Leah was first involved as a participant in WikiTutorial conducted in 2018-2019 and has actively involved in community outreach activities since then. She is among the first three female members of the PH-WC Board. The committee was also previously held by Irvin Sto. Tomas and Froy Beraña who had given talks on Bikol Wikipedia in various fora and conferences.
On 26 January 2024, around 50 primary school teachers participated in the Wiki Quiz as part of the presentation on the utilization of Wikimedia in class during the 5-day In-service Training of Teachers in Minalabac District. Among the topics discussed in the training were proper citation and relicensing. At the end of the session, outputs were presented and at least 20 teachers signified to participate in the upcoming Wiki-related activities, in the formation of a Wiki Club for teachers in Minalabac and in organizing a teacher's training on Wikimedia next school year 2024-2025.
In 2023, PH-WC relaunched it Education program. The organization believes that Wikipedia, among other Wikimedia projects, belongs in education hence it engages in projects, programs and activities that promote free, responsibly open-content resources and reference materials, through academia among other entities.
On 13 December 2023, thru the Education Program headed by Marife Altabano, PH-WC conducted seminar-workshop attended by high school students taking the subject Practical Research at Cararayan National High School. The activity featured two teacher-Wikimedians who discussed Navigating Wikipedia and Tips on Validating Information, and Proper Citation in Academic Research. The attendees explored the features of Wikipedia thru games and quizzes. More than 20 students among the participants had managed to create a username. During the event, the Wiki Education Philippines logo was officially launched and the CNHS Wiki Club was established. The attendees selected their interim officers with their teacher in practical research as the adviser.
On 25 October 2023, the CBSUA Wiki Education was launched in partnership with PH-WC and Bikol Wikipedia Community. The roots of the partnership can be traced back to 2012, with conferences and training sessions involving CBSUA faculty and students beginning in 2017. An Activity Agreement will be signed between CBSUA and the PhilWiki Community to outline the responsibilities of both parties. CBSUA Wiki Education, a joint program of the International Relations Office of CBSUA-Calabanga and the PhilWiki Community and Bikol Wikipedia Community, marks a significant milestone as the first university-based Wiki community in the Philippines.[5]
From 25-26 October 2023, PhilWiki Community promoted its language preservation and cultural heritage advocacies at the SIRANG Perspectives and Prospect: International Conference on Understanding the Contemporary Landscape Through the Lens of History and Heritage held at Ateneo de Naga University. PH-WC served as one of the partners in the international conference.[6]
In 2020, the Education Team of Wikimedia Foundation conducted the pilot project Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom with the help of PhilWiki Community and two other affiliates in Morocco, and Bolivia. Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom project introduced teachers to the communities and practices behind Wikipedia. It will help both educators and students to develop vital information literacy skills for the 21st century: understanding how information is produced, how to evaluate knowledge integrity, and how to understand biases and knowledge gaps in the information they consume.
A localized toolkit in English and Tagalog language for teachers on how to use Wikipedia to develop information literacy skills was produced and teacher development training was conducted participated by selected teachers in the Department of Education - Division of Pasay. In its initiative project, the Community aims to localize and contextualize the materials produced by the Education Team for its community outreach activities. The project also serves as a venue for teachers to get acquainted with the Wikimedia Movement through Education programs. Initially, the Community aims the localization and contextualization of the modules. PH-WC will scale up the project in coming years in selected DepEd Divisions in the country thru Wikimedia Foundation.
On 20 October 2021, over 200 printed copies of the localized version of the Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom booklets were provided to teachers and students of San Juan National High School.
On 4 September 2021, PhilWiki Community and other stakeholders volunteered for the Brigada Eskwela 2021 at Bikol High School for the Arts and Culture in preparation for the opening of classes. It conducted a dialogue with the school head on a possible partnership along with Parasurat Bikolnon and Kintab Artists Group.
In June 2021, PhilWiki Community distributed copies of Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom Teacher's Guide to Allan B. Fabay, Elementary School Principal I of Manapao Elementary School under DepEd Minalabac, and to Decimo L. Espiritu, Ed.D., Secondary School Principal III of San Juan National HS under DepEd Libmanan on June 1 and June 18, respectively. In partnership with Kintab Artists Group, PhilWiki Community conducted Wiki Loves Art mural painting in the said schools. On June 27, Wikimedians, artists, teachers and volunteers also visited Central Bicol State University of Agriculture for the Wiki Loves Art Mural Painting advocacy and outreach activity, which is part of the #Wikipedia20 global celebration.
On 18 March 2021, ten junior and senior high school teachers attended a meet-up organized by former PH-WC board treasurer Maffeth Opiana wherein she oriented the attendees with the on-going WikiGap Campaign. At least 10 of her co-teachers have participated in past activities organized by PhilWiki Community including the 10th Bikol Wikipedia Anniversary in 2017, Wiki Loves Earth Philippines from 2018-2020, and WikiGap Campaign in 2020.
The Community's first activities in its initial period of recognition from 2015 to 2019 were outreach activities in different educational institutions and involvement of teachers is outreach activities.
On 8 April 2019, at the Hurop-Hurop, Huron-Huron: Usapang Pampanitikang Bikol (Reflections, Dialogues: Bikol Literature Forum) held at Lecture Hall, Humanities Building, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), the PH-WC vice president Froy Beraña talked about the Bikol Wikipedia initiative as an advocacy of the community in promoting and preserving the Bikol language. The forum was sponsored by CBSUA, Sentro ng Wika at Kultura, and Parasurat Bikolnon, Inc. It was attended by around 50 writers, teachers and students.
On 25 April 2019, PH-WC conducted an outreach activity in Catanduanes during the Training Workshop on Pagmidbid sa Kultura, Pagdiskubre sa Isla (rediscovering the culture of the island) attended by around fifty (50) social studies both in elementary and high school levels from Department of Education - Division of Catanduanes. The team shared about Wiki Education Program within and outside the Philippines, and Bikol Wikipedia as a learning resource. The participants were encouraged to get involved by contributing local knowledge on Wikipedia and to start local Wikipedia projects for Northern Catanduanes Bikol and Southern Catanduanes Bikol languages.
On 16 November 2018, WikiTutorial was conducted at Central Bicol State University of Agriculture in Pili, Camarines Sur. Twenty (20) content editors participated in the tutorial, meetings and activities among them were educators who learned the basic editing and Wikimedia movement in the Philippines. The first two sessions were also attended by college instructors of CBSUA.
The Community's first activities in its initial period of recognition in 2015 were outreach activities: Offline Wikipedia DVD Distribution to school principals of Minalabac District held at Minalabac Central School in Camarines Sur, supporting edit-a-thons namely the 3rd Waray Wikipedia Edit-a-thon held at Catbalogan in Samar, 4th Waray Wikipedia Edit-a-thon held at Catarman in Northern Samar and 2015 Waray Wikimedia Forums at Greater Tacloban held in Tacloban City and Palo both in Leyte|Leyte province}}, among others.
  • GLAM - Francis Charles Brioso currently serves as the GLAM Committee Chair (May 2023-present) and is on his second term a board member. He was the board secretary from 2022-2023. A senior high school teacher, he organized and participated in Wiki Loves Arts mural painting conducted in public schools and a state university promoting the Movement thru the arts. The committee used to be chaired by Irvin Sto. Tomas (2020-2023) who has been involved with the Wikimedia movement since 2007 as an administrator of Bikol Wikipedia. He was the project lead of Wikipedia Takes Naga (2012), Wikipedia Takes Rinconada (2015-16), Wiki Loves Monuments in the Philippines (since 2018) and two photography exhibits. Thru these projects, the Community has created partnerships with different libraries in the province, namely James O'Brien SJ, Library at Ateneo de Naga University, Iriga City Public Library, and Raul S. Roco Naga City Public Library.
PH-WC launched its GLAM Philippines in 2023. The organization also aims to engage with libraries, museums, among others as GLAM institutions provide the foundation for our verifiable information such as original books and manuscripts. Recently, it held its activities at the National Museum of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of Fine Arts, Museo ni Jesse M. Robredo, Universidad de Santa Isabel Museum, Museo del Seminario Conciliar de Nueva Caceres (Holy Rosary Minor Seminary Museum) and the University of Nueva Caceres Museum.
On December 19, as part of the WikiCommons PH Conference 2023, participants visited GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) institutions namely Museo ni Jesse M. Robredo, Universidad de Santa Isabel Museum, Museo del Seminario Conciliar de Nueva Caceres (Holy Rosary Minor Seminary Museum) and finally, the University of Nueva Caceres Museum which is the second oldest university museum in the Philippines. Around 40 participants, experienced how Wikimedians across the world gather images from GLAM institutions for uploading on Wikimedia Commons. Museum curators were also oriented about the GLAM program.
On September 16, PH-WC launched its first-ever GLAM Philippines, a GLAM outreach activity at the National Museum of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, and National Museum of Fine Arts attended by PhilWiki Community members and invited participants composed of teachers, and culture and Wiki Loves photo contests participants. GLAM Committee chair Francis Charles D. Brioso organized the activity.
Partnership with these institutions means more collaborations toward the promotion of accessible information. It has also collaborated with Kintab Artist Group, Nueva Caceres Heritage Movement and Sumaro Bikolnon cultural organizations in the promotion of local heritage and the arts.
On 4 August 2023, PH-WC sign a memorandum of understanding at Raul S. Roco Public Library with the City Government of Naga. The city public library became the first GLAM partner institution of the organization. Thru the memorandum of understanding, the partnership between the two parties was formalized.
On 4 March 2023, together with the Bikol Wikipedia Community and University of Nueva Caceres, PhilWiki Community organized a forum on Preservation of old publications through Bikol Wikisource attended by BS Library and Information Science, and BS History major students from Camarines Norte State College, Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges, and University of Nueva Caceres.[7]
On 30 June 2019, the Community collaborated with Nueva Caceres Heritage Movement, Kintab Artists Group, Sumaro Bikolnon, Partido State University and the City Government of Naga in celebration of the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day. It sponsored the Spanish Wikipedia Edit-a-thon and the Katood art exhibition which was participated by some members of PhilWiki Community who are also into visual arts.
On 22 June 2019, an edit-a-thon during the Wiki Loves Earth in the Philippines 2019 was conducted by the Community to use the images in the 2019 and 2018 contest on Wikipedia. The activity was held the city public library.
The #1Lib1Ref Campaign Philippines 2019 was a community outreach organized by the PhilWiki Community in partnership with the University of Nueva Caceres e-Library that aimed for one librarian to add one reference source in every Bikol Sentral Wikipedia articles. This campaign was anchored to the #1Lib1Ref campaign supported by Wikipedia Library. The campaign ran from 15 May - 5 June 2019. The opening ceremony for this campaign was held on 18 May 2019 at the University of Nueva Caceres e-Library. Attendees were librarians, library science students and library volunteers from all over the city.
In January 2016, as part of Wikipedia's 15th birthday, Rinconada Bikol Wikipedia Edit-a-thon 2 was organized by PhilWiki Community in partnership with Iriga City Public Library held on 16 January 2016. It is the second edition of editing workshop for Rinconada Bikol Wikipedia after the first one held at Yellow Cab Pizza, Magsaysay Ave., Naga City, Camarines Sur on 5 August 2014 in order to develop the test project. After the awarding ceremony of Wikipedia Takes Rinconada, most of the participants attended a tutorial on how to use the images on Wikipedia which they took during the photography and video hunt last 19 December 2015 to 9 January 2016. The City Government of Iriga thru the City Tourism Office conducted a week-long photograph exhibit and a street photography during the celebration of Tinagba Festival. Sixty-five (65) free-licensed photographs selected from the images of Rinconada landmarks and cultural icons captured during Wikipedia Takes Rinconada were exhibited at the Iriga City Public Library.
  • Outreach - Maffeth Opiana currently serves as the Chair of Outreach Committee (2019-present). She has been involved in Wikimedia movement since 2015 as part of Wiki Takes Rinconada project team. She represented the user group at the 2018 ESEAP Wikimedia Conference held in Bali, Indonesia in 2018. She has led the Wiki Loves Earth in the Philippines in 2018 and 2019 which aimed to increase the collection of free-licensed photographs of natural heritage in the country.
Outreach activities are being conducted by community members to reach more people both online and offline. These activities are done in collaboration with organizations and institutions which helps develop the capacity of the Community. Aside from Wikincs and several photo walks, edit-a-thons have been organized to engage more participants and utilize the images gathered in Wiki Loves photography contests.
From 25-30 November 2021, Pagkarahay 3 Art Festival was held in Naga Ecology Park. It was sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Kintab Artist Group Inc., Isarog Garden Society Foundation Inc. in partnership with the city government of Naga, Metropolitan Naga Water District, and PhilWiki Community. On the part of PhilWiki Community, it conducted Wiki Loves Art Photo Hunt, discussions on Wikipedia as part of its 14th Bikol Wikipedia Day celebration, and Wiknic gathering. The 6-day art festival featured art exhibit, murals, art installations, painting competition, photo walk, Wiknic, traditional games, open forum, art talks and concert. This year's festival has a theme “Kapalibutan: Burabod nin buhay” (Environment: Source of life).
On 30 August 2021, PhilWiki Community took a day off from the on Wikipedia Pages Wanting Photos 2021, WLF 2021 Illustrate Wikipedia articles, and other online activities to get together for the Wiknic Naga 2 held at Naga Ecology Park on August 30, 2021.
In preparation for the Wiki Loves Earth 2021, the user group conducted nature photowalks and photoshoots at Isarog National Park in Tigaon, Camarines Sur on 30 January, and in Siruma, Camarines Sur on 9 April. Batuwanan Island and Siruma South Coastal Area (Vito-Cabugao-Sulpa) would be declared as Siruma Ecotourism Zone by the Philippine Congress later that year. From 22-23 May, five teachers from Cararayan National High School, Camarines Sur National High School, and San Juan National High School participated in a photowalk in Caramoan and Tigaon, Camarines Sur. On 19 June, they also conducted a photowalk at Cabusao Critical Habitat in Cabusao, Camarines Sur after the Wiki Loves Art mural painting activity in Libmanan, Camarines Sur.
On 22 June 2019, an edit-a-thon during the Wiki Loves Earth in the Philippines 2019 was conducted by community members to use the images in the 2018 and 2019 contests on Wikipedia. The activity was held at Raul S. Roco Naga City Public Library.
During the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day 2018 celebration in Naga City, PH-WC conducted a lecture focusing on Wikimedia Commons and a tutorial on adding images to Wikipedia, specifically to the Spanish Wikipedia among other editions. The Spanish Wikipedia Edit-a-thon event was graced by the Honorary Consul of Spain in Bicol who appreciated the efforts by Wikimedians and the organizers in participating in the annual celebration. An awareness on Wikipedia was raised as the editing activity was included in the promotion of the celebration, i.e. event's banners, posters, souvenir magazine and announcements.

Relationship with Other Groups

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With Commons Photographers User Group at Wikimania 2023
With Maithili Wikimedians User Group at Wikimania 2023
ESEAP Wikimedians at Wikimedia Conference, 2017
ESEAP Conference 2018
Asia Meetup 2018
Asia-Oceania Meeting, 2019
Wikimedia+Education Conference 2019
ESEAP Strategy Summit 2019
Movement Strategy Global Conversations, 5 December

Located in the Southeast Asian region, PhilWiki Community is a member of the East Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Regional Cooperation (ESEAP), a regional collaboration composed of nationalities & Wikimedia affiliates of Indonesia, Taiwan, Australia, Korea, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. Membership also include nationalities and informal communities of Brunei, Cambodia, Japan, Laos, Macau, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, and Timor Leste (East Timor).

In December 2023, the User Group in collaboration with Commons Photographer User Group organized the 3-day WikiCommons PH Conference 2023, a national conference of contributors on Wikimedia Commons, held at Avenue Plaza Hotel, Magsaysay Avenue in Naga City, Bicol. This conference brought together participants from different Wiki Loves photography contests, photography enthusiasts and heritage advocates with the aim to strengthen collaboration and better understand the issues faced among the contributors, and to look for solutions.

The organization has actively participated in different regional conferences and regional meetings since 2016:

PhilWiki Community was first represented internationally by Ramon Olaño at the Wikimedia Conference 2016 and 2017 with Irvin Sto. Tomas. In 2018, Sto. Tomas and Steven Fung participated at the Wikimedia Conference 2018. From 5-6 May 2018, Maffeth Opiana and Irvin Sto. Tomas represented the PhilWiki Community at the inaugural ESEAP Wikimedia Conference 2018 held in Bali, Indonesia.

Last June 29-30, 2019 - Froy Beraña and Marvin Molin participated at the Wikimedia ESEAP Strategy Summit 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand. The conference aimed to bring ESEAP voices to the global conversation on Movement Strategy. Community leaders discussed the most relevant strategy topics for the region across thematic areas and the Wikimedia movement’s future.

There have been several informal collaborations with members of other affiliates as well:

Likewise, the community members extended moral support to Sinirangan Bisaya Wikimedia Community during the 2015 Waray Wikimedia Forums at Greater Tacloban; to Wikimedians of Nepal and Maithili Wikimedians User Group, organizers of Wikicamp Nepal 2018; and to Viresh Raj Sah of Hindi Wikimedians User Group, organizer of WikiSammelan 2019, in solidarity.

Criteria for Recognition

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Every organization that applies for recognition as a Wikimedia Chapter or Thematic Organisation must meet nine criteria:

  1. Diversity of Activities
  2. Planning and Evaluation
  3. External Partnerships
  4. Aligned Mission
  5. Geographic or Thematic Focus
  6. Legal Structure
  7. Open Governance
  8. Active Contributor Involvement
  9. Capacity

In evaluating an applicant against these criteria, the Affiliations Committee is required to confirm that the applicant organization has demonstrated the two-year record of programmatic activity required of all potential Wikimedia chapters by the Board of Trustees, as well as the capacity to successfully carry out programmatic activities and operate as an independent Wikimedia chapter in the future.

Diversity of Activities

[edit]

See Key Programs and Activities

Edit-a-thons

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Maffeth Opiana tutors a participant in WikiGap Philippines in 2020. She was among the Top 10 contributors in the WikiGap Challenge organized by the international team.

The flagship programs of PhilWiki Community for Diversity are the WikiGap Campaign and Wikipedia Asian Month. PhilWiki Community aims to engage diverse participation in projects, programs and activities that promote free, responsibly open-content resources and reference materials through cost-effective, creative and innovative projects and partnerships with libraries, museums among others.

The main objective of the WikiGap Campaign is to reduce the gendergap in Wikipedia by creating more articles about women and encouraging interested individuals particularly women and LGBT members to participate in the activities. The campaign runs every month of March during Women's Month. Increasing the quality and quantity of contents on prominent women in Wikipedia increases the gender awareness in the society.
Bulan kan Asya nin Wikipedia 2019 banner
Wikipedia PH Month logo
Wikipedia Asian Month is an annual online event that occurs in November and which aims to promote Asian content on Wikipedia. PhilWiki Community has been promoting the campaign since 2015 by running the Bulan kan Asya nin Wikipedia, a local editing activity promoting the creation or improvement of the Wikipedia content about Asia except the Philippines. In 2021, Wikipedia Philippine Month was introduced by the Community as a monthly online event inspired by Wikipedia Asian Month which aims to promote Philippine content in Philippine Wikipedia editions and beyond. It also promotes the creation or improvement of the Wikipedia content about a particular group or groups of people in the Philippines and the region they represent. The monthly activity aims the collaboration among Filipino contributors within the archipelago and in the diaspora and create linkages among Filipino and non-Filipino contributors who support the main objective.

Offline activities

[edit]
Presenting the Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom program of WMF Education Team to primary teachers in Camarines Sur

The organization believes that Wikipedia, among other Wikimedia projects, belongs in education hence it engages in projects, programs and activities that promote free, responsibly open-content resources and reference materials, through academia among other entities. Its very first activity in its initial period of recognition as a user group was the Offline Wikipedia DVD Distribution to school principals of Minalabac District held at Minalabac Central School in Camarines Sur in 2015. PhilWiki Community has also distributed hard copies of Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom Teacher's Guide and printed copies of localized version of the Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom Booklets to teachers and junior high school students.

Engaging teachers in various Wikipedia-related activities has been one strategy of the user group not only in promoting awareness in the academia but also involving them in the Wikimedia movement. Junior and senior high school teachers as well as college instructors have attended WikNics, meet-ups, and activities organized by PhilWiki Community including the English and Bikol Wikipedia birthday celebrations, Wiki Loves Earth photography walks, WikiGap Campaign, localization and contextualization of Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom - Teacher's Guide Module, among others.

In partnership with Kintab Artists Group, PhilWiki Community conducted Wiki Loves Art mural painting in Manapao Elementary School and San Juan National High School. Wikimedians, artists, teachers and volunteers also visited Central Bicol State University of Agriculture for the Wiki Loves Art mural painting advocacy and outreach activity, which is part of the #Wikipedia20 global celebration. PhilWiki Community and other stakeholders volunteered for the Brigada Eskwela 2021 at Bikol High School for the Arts and Culture in preparation for the opening of classes. It conducted a dialogue with the school head on a possible partnership along with Parasurat Bikolnon and Kintab Artists Group.

Photography contests and exhibits

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Opening of Wikipedia Takes Rinconada photo exhibit in 2016
Wiki Loves Monuments Philippines awarding ceremony in 2018

PhilWiki Community has organized and supported various photography contests within the Wikimedia movement. Photography contests encourage new contributors and help increase the quality and quantity of images used in illustrating articles.

Wikipedia Takes Rinconada was a photograph and video scavenger hunt inspired by Wikipedia Takes the City conducted in the City of Iriga and in municipalities in the 5th District of the province of Camarines Sur. It aimed to capture landmarks and cultural icons of the district collectively known as Rinconada which is home to over 500,000 Rinconada Bikol speakers. The contest ran for 21 days which started on December 19, 2015 and ended on January 9, 2016. Almost 2,000 images and videos were uploaded at Wikimedia Commons. The city government of Iriga thru the City Tourism Office proposed to conduct a week-long photograph exhibit and a street photography during the celebration of Tinagba Festival. Sixty-five (65) free-licensed photographs selected from the images of Rinconada landmarks and cultural icons captured during Wikipedia Takes Rinconada were exhibited from February 4 - 12, 2016 at Iriga City Public Library in Iriga City, Camarines Sur. The exhibit would be permanently displayed in the library. Local Wikimedians and new volunteers were also given free access during the Tinagba Festival grand street parade on February 11, 2016. On 28 November 2015, Wikipedia Takes Naga exhibit was held during the 150th birth anniversary celebration of Tomas Arejola at Fish Cove, Abella St., Naga City, Camarines Sur. The activity was part of the promotion of Wikipedia Takes Rinconada.
Wiki Loves Monuments Philippines aims is to improve and increase the available media of the built heritage in the Philippines through a national photography contest. After 5 years of hiatus, the Philippines was back in organizing a national competition. New shots of historical landmarks and new photographs of previously not covered historical and relevant sites were added on Wikimedia Commons. Three editions were organized and supported by the Community members.
Wiki Loves Earth Philippines is an national photography competition which aims to promote the natural heritage sites of the Philippines. The year 2018 was the first edition of Wiki Loves Earth in the Philippines when PhilWiki Community members decided to organize the photography contest and held a series of photo walks.

Organizational meetings and celebrations

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Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the City Government of Naga and the PhilWiki Community, 2023
Wikipedia 20 celebration

Since its foundation, the Community has grown from strength to strength as evidenced by the numerous activities it has organized and participated. These are results of several organizational meetings and collectives efforts of its members. PhilWiki Community conducts a monthly physical and virtual meetings to discuss organizational matters, concerns in project organizing, among others. Social activities such as celebrations build strong relationship among the members.

Over the years, PH-WC Board and the members have approved some important resolutions, and documents relevant to its mission and to the growth of the Community:

Social media promotions

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PhilWiki Community takes advantage of the social media in promoting its activities to a wider audience. It also maintains project-specific pages for Wiki Loves Earth, Wiki Loves Monuments, Wiki Loves Folklore, Bikol Wikipedia, Bikol Wiktionary, Bikol Wikisource, and Wikidata.

Planning and Evaluation

[edit]

See Board Meetings
See Membership

PhilWiki Community participated in the Movement Strategy prioritization events for the user group to identify what is important for implementation in 2021. From November 3 to 16, 5 board members, 4 regular members, and 4 community members participated in the discussion. As a result, the top recommendations marked as the most important are: Improve User Experience, Innovate in Free Knowledge, Ensure Equity in Decision-making, Invest in Skills and Leadership Development.

On what human capacity and / or financial resources do the user group need to work on implementation, the user group responded: Dedicated staff coming from the community to do certain tasks which is beyond the capacity of our editors and volunteers in order to maintain the good status of Philippine Wikimedia Community as a non-profit organization; legal, medical and economic relief support in times of persecution, health risks, natural and man-made calamities including the threats of climate change; office space with essential facilities for trainings and regular meetings in order to fully operate as a non-profit organization; local funding in order to support its initiatives, individual's and other organization's projects, programs and activities that promote free, responsibly open-content resources and reference materials in English and Philippine languages; scholarships in short-term courses such as management and leadership skills training, event's management and organizing, media and communication.

At the PhilWiki Community Year End Meeting held on December 18, 2020 at Blackscoop Cafe in Naga City, with 3 board members, 4 regular members and 3 community members in attendance, the 2021 Annual Plan 2021 of activities was finalized and formally adopted.

  • Movement Strategy prioritization events map
    Movement Strategy prioritization events map
  • PhilWiki Community Year End Meeting
    PhilWiki Community Year End Meeting
  • Word cloud
    Word cloud

Through a series of consultations among its Community members in the past couple of weeks, the 2022 Annual Plan of activities of PhilWiki Community has been finalized. With 43 members, to date, the organization aims to achieve new targets through its programs namely Capacity Building, Outreach, Education, Diversity, Advocacy, and GLAM.

On 2 June 2021, the Community was asked What do we want to achieve in the next 6 months as one Community? Twenty-one (21) members responded and this word cloud was created to represent their responses.

From 26 September to 30 November 2021, the 2021 Community Engagement Survey was conducted among PhilWiki Community regular members and community members thru Google Form to learn the capacity and engagement of the members in the organization and in the movement.

External Partnerships

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We have had several partners in the academia, government and non-government organizations through various GLAM and Outreach activities, namely: 1Lib1Ref in the Philippines, Edit-a-thons at Libraries and Universities, Wikipedia Takes the City Photo Exhibits, and Wikipedia Loves Rinconada, Wiki Loves Earth Philippines and Wiki Loves Monuments Philippines.

University of Nueva Caceres
Ateneo de Naga University
Central Bicol State University of Agriculture
Department of Education - Division of Catanduanes
City Government of Iriga - Iriga City Public Library
City Government of Naga - Raul S. Roco Naga Public Library
  • University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City - 1Lib1Ref Philippines Campaign 2019 was held at the University Library in partnership with the academic institution where around 30 librarians and library science students got acquainted by proper referencing on Wikipedia. Six years earlier, Open Web Day UNC was organized by Wikimedia Philippines and Bikol Community (the predecessor of PhilWiki Community), in partnership with the university and the Bicol Region Librarians Council (BRLC). More than 30 participants coming from different parts of the Bicol region attended the event which aimed to improve articles in Wikipedia especially on the Bikol language edition.
  • Ateneo de Naga University in Naga City - several activities were held in partnership with the university. The most recent one was the 10th Bikol Wikipedia Anniversary in 2017. In 2012, Open Web Day ADNU was organized by Wikimedia Philippines and Bikol Community (the predecessor of PhilWiki Community), in partnership with the university and the Bicol Region Librarians Council (BRLC). Library information science students, librarians and professionals attended the workshops held at James J. O’Brien S.J. Library.
  • Central Bicol State University of Agriculture in Pili, Camarines Sur - WikiTutorial 2018-2019 was conducted in various venues including the university. Twenty (20) content editors participated in the tutorial, meetings and activities during this period along with educators who learned the basic editing and Wikimedia movement in the Philippines. CBSUA also served as a partner during the 10th Bikol Wikipedia Anniversary in 2017.
  • Department of Education - Division of Catanduanes in Virac, Catanduanes - As part of its Outreach Activity in Catanduanes, the PhilWiki Community shared about Wiki Education Program within and outside the Philippines, and Bikol Wikipedia as a learning resource at the Training Workshop on Pagmidbid sa Kultura, Pagdiskubre sa Isla (rediscovering the culture of the island) attended by around fifty (50) Social Studies teachers both in elementary and high school levels from Division of Catanduanes. Participants were encouraged to get involved by contributing local knowledge on Wikipedia and to start local Wikipedia projects for Northern Catanduanes Bikol and Southern Catanduanes Bikol languages.
  • Provincial Government of Catanduanes and Catanduanes State University (CSU) in Virac, Catanduanes - Wiki Loves Earth Philippines outreach activity was conducted in the province on 18 May 2018. Wikipedia promotion was done at a writing workshop organized by the university and the provincial government. The team discussed Wikipedia particularly the Central Bikol edition and also invite the attendees to participate in Wiki Loves Earth Philippines. Later, photo walk with some of the workshop participants was conducted at Binurong Point with assistance from the Office of the Governor and the Tourism Office.
  • City Government of Iriga and Iriga City Public Library in Iriga City, Camarines Sur - Wikipedia Takes Rinconada aimed to aims to capture landmarks and cultural icons of the district collectively known as Rinconada which is home to over 500,000 Rinconada Bikol speakers. The city government supported the activity which led to follow-up activities. The Rinconada Bikol Wikipedia Edit-a-thon 2 was organized at the Iriga City Public Library on 16 January 2016. It was the second editing workshop for Rinconada Bikol Wikipedia after the first one held at Yellow Cab Pizza, Magsaysay Ave., Naga City on 5 August 2014 by the Bikol Community in order to develop the test project.
Wikipedia 15 was celebrated through a tutorial on how to use the images on Wikipedia which Wikipedia Takes Rinconada participants took during the photography and video hunt from 19 December 2015 to 9 January 2016. The City Government of Iriga through the City Tourism Office proposed a week-long photograph exhibit and a street photography during the celebration of Tinagba Festival. Sixty-five (65) free-licensed photographs selected from the images of Rinconada landmarks and cultural icons captured during Wikipedia Takes Rinconada were exhibited from February 4 - 12, 2016 at Iriga City Public Library in Iriga City, Camarines Sur. The exhibit would be permanently displayed in the library. Local Wikimedians and new volunteers were also given free access during the Tinagba Festival grand street parade on 11 February 2016.
  • City Government of Naga and Raul S. Roco Naga Public Library in Naga City - On 7 June 2019, formally requested a working space at Raul S. Roco Library thru Naga City Mayor John G. Bongat. The community formally register a non-stock, non-profit company in the Securities and Exchange Commission on 18 June 2019. An edit-a-thon was then conducted by PhilWiki Community members to use the images in the Wiki Loves Earth in the Philippines 2018 and 2019 contests on Wikipedia. The activity was held on 22 June, 2019 at the city public library.
The city government has been a partner since June 2012 when Bikol Community organized Wikipedia Takes Naga in celebration of the 5th Bikol Wikipedia Day along with Ateneo de Naga University, Parasurat Bikolnon and Wikimedia Philippines.

PhilWiki Community engages in various activities in the promotion of free knowledge using different platforms. As part of its inclusive and pluralistic focus, the organization is currently has engagement with various civic and non-government organizations:

Phil-Spanish Friendship Day celebration, 2019
Pagkarahay Art Festival 3, 2021
Brigada Eskwela, 2021
Wiki Loves Monuments Philippines, 2018
  • Sumaro Bikolnon - As part of its community outreach activities, it has engaged with organization which share a common interest with PhilWiki Community. It has collaborated in various celebrations such as the Mariano Perfecto Day in commemoration of contributions of the "father of Bikol and Hiligaynon literature", 150th Tomas Arejola birth anniversary celebration, and Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day celebration held in Naga City. Sumaro Bikolnon is a cultural organization which advocates the promotion of Bikol history and culture. Founded in 2007, its current president is Ramon Olaño who happens to be one of the board members of PhilWiki Community.
  • Nueva Caceres Heritage Movement - NCHM is a heritage and historical organization which advocates the preservation of built heritage and local history of Bikol. Founded in 2015, it is a vibrant group of architects, writers, and enthusiasts who are passionate in the preservation of local heritage. In 2015, the organization supported Wikipe Takes Rinconada. Likewise, PhilWiki Community has engaged in a number of activities organized by the NCHM.
  • Kintab Artists Group - Kintab Artists Group is a network of visual artists, writers and other artists which promotes different forms of artistic expressions. In 2019, the group conducted an art exhibit participated by some members of PhilWiki Community who are also into arts. Wiki Loves Art is a future project of PhilWiki Community which aims to collect and digitize newly-created art works on portraits of notable people in the field of arts, history among others, living and historical, and add them on Wikipedia articles of notable people who do not have free-licensed images, whose existing or extant photographs are not in public domain, whose portraits can only be produced through artistic expression.
  • Artletics, Inc. - On 1 to 3 June 2018, at a workshop conducted by the art group based in Cavite, a lecture on Wikimedia Foundation Grants to the participants composed of artists and cultural workers was done by Irvin Sto. Tomas. He also promoted Wiki Loves Earth Philippines contest to the attendees who are from Cagayan, Cavite, Laguna, Camarines Sur and Albay provinces. Promotional leaflets and stickers were handed out to the participants after the talk. Possible collaborations which came up include an editing workshop among writers in Cavite and participation in upcoming activities namely Wiki Loves Monuments and Wiki Loves Art.
  • Parasurat Bikolnon - The regional writers organization was a partner back in June 2012 when Bikol Community organized Wikipedia Takes Naga in celebration of the 5th Bikol Wikipedia Day.
  • United Architecture of the Philippines - On 21 August 2018, Architecture students of Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology (BISCAST) in Naga City led by Froy Beraña, Maffeth Opiana and Ian Kennth Orasa conducted a photo walk within Camarines Sur. The whole-day activity in Camarines Sur which had a theme LITRATO: Capturing The Historical Growth Through Synergy of Cultural Diversity covered the towns of Calabanga, Bombon, Magarao, Canaman, and Naga City.

Aligned Mission

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As a recognized affiliate organization, the Philippine Wikimedia Community (PH-WC) is a free, open and vibrant organization of Filipino volunteers and content editors from the Philippines and all over the world, who believe in the mission and vision of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.

In the articles of incorporation of Philippine Wikimedia Community Inc., as a non-stock, non profit organization, it aims to initiate, promote, participate, create, organize, develop and engage in projects, programs and activities that promote free, responsibly open-content resources and reference materials, in English and in different Philippine languages through cost-effective, creative and innovative projects and partnerships with local government units, government agencies, academia, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.

The Philippines is one of the world’s most linguistically diverse countries, with over 190 documented languages. However, under the 1987 Constitution, only Tagalog (officially called ‘Filipino’) and English are recognized as the country’s official languages. As a result, many of these regional languages are experiencing a decline in use and there is often a shortage of written material.

PhilWiki Community (PH-WC) aims to promote and increase the daily use of Philippine languages and deploy Wikipedia as a resource and medium for the dissemination of open knowledge and learning through these languages. It represents and supports the activities of the various Philippine Wikipedias, among other Wikimedia projects, in the country’s most widely-spoken but nevertheless marginalized languages including, Cebuano, Waray, Ilocano, Bikol, Kapampangan, Zamboanga Chavacano and Pangasinan, as well as the national language Tagalog (Filipino), and projects which are still in incubation namely Aklan, Capiznon, Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, Maranao, Miraya Bikol, Pandan Bikol, Rinconada Bikol, and Tausug. By giving these regional languages an internationally recognized and prestigious platform for their users, our Community hopes to raise their profiles and remove any stigma attached to speaking and using them.

In less than five years since its foundation, PH-WC has grown from strength to strength as evidenced by the numerous activities it has organized and participated in all over the Philippines to further its aim of promoting the nation’s many languages and cultures, as well as the growth of the various Philippine Wikipedias. As part of its inclusive and pluralistic focus, the organization is currently presiding over various outreach programs aimed at reaching out to marginalized groups in the Philippines. It always welcomes volunteers and participants who share our broad vision and encourage everyone with an interest to take part.

Geographic Focus (Chapters) / Thematic Focus (Thematic Organizations)

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Map of the Philippines showing the activity of Philippine Wikimedia Community: location of members in green, and location of past outreach activities in lime green (as of October 19, 2019)

The organization which is based in Naga City focuses its activities within the national borders of the Philippines. Likewise, it also focuses on the cultural and linguistic diversity of the Philippines.

Since its recognition as an affiliate organization, offline activities have been conducted in Metro Manila and in sixteen (16) of the eighty-one (81) Provinces of the Philippines.

Community outreach activities for Wiki Loves Earth in the Philippines 2018 were conducted in Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon. On its 2nd edition, photo walks were organized in Batangas, Catanduanes, and Masbate. For Wiki Loves Monuments 2018 in the Philippines, provinces covered were Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Quezon Province, and Quezon City.

In its initial period of recognition were outreach events: Offline Wikipedia DVD Distribution held at Minalabac Central School, Minalabac town in Camarines Sur, supporting edit-a-thons namely the 3rd Waray Wikipedia Edit-a-thon held at Catbalogan in Samar, 4th Waray Wikipedia Edit-a-thon held at Catarman in Northern Samar and 2015 Waray Wikimedia Forums at Greater Tacloban held in Tacloban City and Palo town both in Leyte province, and Wikipedia Takes Rinconada launched in Iriga City, Camarines Sur.

Historically, it conducted outreach activities which covered Pangasinan, Baguio City situated within Benguet, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

[edit]

The Articles of Incorporation of the Philippine Wikimedia Community states:

FOURTH: That the term for which said corporation is to exist is 50 years from and after the date of issuance of the certificate of incorporation;

FIFTH: That the names, nationalities and residences of the incorporators are as follows:

NAME NATIONALITY RESIDENCE
Irvin P. Sto. Tomas Filipino Canaman, Camarines Sur
Froy P. Beraña Filipino Iriga City
Anthony B. Diaz Filipino Camaligan, Camarines Sur
Maffeth C. Opiana Filipino Naga City
Ramon O. Olaño, Jr. Filipino Naga City

SIXTH: That the number of trustees of the corporation shall be 5; and the names, nationalities and residences of the first trustees of the corporation are as follows:

NAME NATIONALITY RESIDENCE
Irvin P. Sto. Tomas Filipino Canaman, Camarines Sur
Froy P. Beraña Filipino Iriga City
Anthony B. Diaz Filipino Camaligan, Camarines Sur
Maffeth C. Opiana Filipino Naga City
Ramon O. Olaño, Jr. Filipino Naga City

Further, the Articles of Incorporation states:

EIGHTH: That Ramon Odarve Olano has been elected by the members as Treasurer of the corporation to act as such until his successor is duly elected and qualified in accordance with the by-laws, and that as such Treasurer, he has been authorized to receive for and in the name and for the benefit of the corporation, all contributions or donations paid or given by the members.

NINTH: That no part of its income is distributable as dividends to its members, trustees or officers subject to the provisions of the Corporation Code of the Philippines on dissolution. Provided, That any profit obtained by the association as an incident to its operation shall, whenever necessary or proper shall be used for the furtherance of the purposes enumerated in Article II, subject to the provision of Title XI of the Corporation Code of the Philippines.

Open Governance

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The Philippine Wikimedia Community, Inc., an affiliate organization established as Philippine Wikimedia Community User Group or PhilWiki Community (PH-WC), is a free, open and vibrant organization of Filipino volunteers and content editors from the Philippines and all over the world, who believe in the mission and vision of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. Individuals who are interested in taking an active role in the working group, can signify their intention to join the group.

Active Contributor Involvement

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Active Contributors - Username (Tenure; Edit count)
  • User:Arius1998 - Registered: 01:02, 25 September 2011 (12 years ago); Total edit count: 6,040
  • User:Bumbl loid - Registered: 10:41, 20 July 2011 (12 years ago); Total edit count: 2,101
  • User:Daragang Nagueña - Registered: 10:41, 20 July 2011 (8 years ago); Total edit count: 2,101
  • User:Derk29 - Registered: 03:18, 24 May 2021 (2 years ago); Total edit count: 2,502
  • User:Filipinayzd - Registered: 11:21, 28 June 2009 (14 years ago); Total edit count: 39,291
  • User:Franz710 - Registered: 01:05, 19 February 2014 (9 years ago); Total edit count: 2,575
  • User:Geopoet - Registered: 04:28, 18 February 2009 (15 years ago); Total edit count: 2,264
  • User:Herbert Kikoy - Registered: 06:00, 18 February 2015 (8 years ago); Total edit count: 823
  • User:Jay Bolero - Registered: 13:40, 23 May 2022 (20 months ago); Total edit count: 19,092
  • User:Jordz - Registered: 11:31, 10 April 2008 (15 years ago); Total edit count: 3,191
  • User:Josefwintzent Libot - Registered: 01:07, 5 November 2017 (6 years ago); Total edit count: 1,362
  • User:Jp2593 - Registered: 12:14, 6 April 2013 (10 years ago); Total edit count: 3,102
  • User:Kurigo - Registered: 10:58, 21 November 2020 (3 years ago); Total edit count: 1,622
  • User:LeahLhey - Registered: 03:39, 31 May 2018 (5 years ago); Total edit count: 619
  • User:Lsj - Registered: 11:53, 3 May 2009 (14 years ago); Total edit count: 103,973
  • User:Katimawan2005 - Registered: 08:52, 9 April 2008 (15 years ago); Total edit count: 13,997
  • User:KamiLily - Registered: 11:04, 1 May 2023 (9 months ago); Total edit count: 388
  • User:Korean Rail Fan - Registered: 07:20, 20 April 2015 (8 years ago); Total edit count: 9,762
  • User:Marife.altabano - Registered: 06:11, 8 March 2020 (3 years ago); Total edit count: 604
  • User:Maffeth.opiana - Registered: 02:01, 14 July 2014 (9 years ago); Total edit count: 6,504
  • User:MarvinBikolano - Registered: 02:38, 19 December 2015 (8 years ago); Total edit count: 2,099
  • User:MysteryMrHandsome - Registered: 09:36, 30 May 2019 (4 years ago); Total edit count: 1,326
  • User:Nothing7898 - Registered: 08:40, 13 May 2015 (8 years ago); Total edit count: 537
  • User:Ringer - Registered: 06:26, 22 August 2009 (14 years ago); Total edit count: 24,960
  • User:PogingJuan - Registered: 05:54, 22 May 2016 (7 years ago); Total edit count: 3,027
  • User:Ranieljosecastaneda - Registered: 00:07, 17 May 2018 (5 years ago); Total edit count: 559
  • User:Sheena Aloner Registered: 09:36, 25 November 2023 (2 months ago); Total edit count: 219
  • User:ShiminUfesoj Registered: 03:53, 8 February 2018 (6 years ago); Total edit count: 17,115
  • User:Steven*fung - Registered: 13:36, 17 March 2015 (8 years ago); Total edit count: 327
  • User:Wakowako - Registered: 06:09, 16 June 2012 (11 years ago); Total edit count: 4,460

Below 300 contributions

  • User:Alvin Casitas - Registered: 14:17, 31 October 2022 (15 months ago); Total edit count: 13
  • User:Animasola13 - Registered: 12:48, 23 May 2018 (5 years ago); Total edit count: 0
  • User:ChisoyWasabe - Registered: 08:07, 26 November 2017 (6 years ago); Total edit count: 41
  • User:Crisgomez72 - Registered: 110:48, 13 January 2019 (5 years ago); Total edit count: 1
  • User:DearPaulPH - Registered: 05:02, 16 April 2013 (10 years ago); Total edit count: 184
  • User:Iravillanueva - Registered: 05:51, 5 May 2018 (5 years ago); Total edit count: 79
  • User:Jessartcam - Registered: 12:42, 30 June 2020 (3 years ago); Total edit count: 43
  • User:Kabu Sawsaw - Registered: 16:53, 12 October 2021 (2 years ago); Total edit count: 97
  • User:Magbantay - Registered: 14:13, 16 August 2014 (9 years ago); Total edit count: 117
  • User:Magindara13 - Registered: 05:20, 9 March 2019 (4 years ago); Total edit count: 0
  • User:Pintor51 - Registered: 10:51, 13 January 2019 (5 years ago); Total edit count: 1
  • User:Shenalyn2018 - Registered: 06:09, 29 December 2017 (6 years ago); Total edit count: 116
  • User:Tubanismo - Registered: 02:32, 8 August 2017 (6 years ago); Total edit count: 68

Capacity

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See PH-WC Reports
See PH-WC Equipment and Resources
See PH-WC Community Capacity Map

Since 2015, PhilWiki Community members have initiated and organized projects as individuals as well as a team.

  • Ramon Olaño, Jr. (User:Ringer) spearheaded collaborations namely the Mariano Perfecto Day in commemoration of contributions of the "father of Bikol and Hiligaynon literature", 150th Birth Anniversary of Tomas Arejola, and Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day Celebration held in Naga City. The Community collaborated with Nueva Caceres Heritage Movement, Kintab Artists Group, Sumaro Bikolnon, Partido State University and the City Government of Naga in celebration of the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day.
  • Maffeth Opiana (User:Maffeth.opiana) has been the project lead of Wiki Loves Earth Philippines since 2018. She is also among the members who lead the Wiki Gap Campaign Philippines, Wiki Loves Folklore Philippines, and Wiki Loves Fashion Philippines. She is the first Filipino woman to complete the 100 Wiki Days Challenge. She has received multiple rapid grants since 2018 to present.
  • Irvin Sto. Tomas (User:Filipinayzd) has organized several projects including Wikipedia Takes Rinconada, 10th Bikol Wikipedia Day, and Wiki Loves Monuments Philippines from 2018-2020.
  • Marvin Molin (User:MarvinBikolano) is the project lead of Wikipedia Pages Wanting Photos Philippines 2021, his first rapid grant, and has been a team member of Wiki Gap Campaign Philippines.
  • Maricris Gomez (User:Crisgomez72) has organized and supported Wiki Loves Art mural painting advocacy and outreach activity of PhilWiki Community through linkages with other visual artists and individuals.
  • Joseph Ciudadano (User:ShiminUfesoj) has been actively adding content on Bikol Wikipedia since 2018 and he is the youngest admin. He was a beneficiary of a laptop from the Hardware Donation Program.
  • Leah Banastao (User:LeahLhey) serves as the Chair of Education Committee. She was first involved as a participant in WikiTutorial held at Central Bicol State University of Agriculture conducted in 2018. Ever since, she has been involved in community outreach activities. She is a faculty member of CBSUA wherein she organized the Wiki Loves Arts mural in her campus, and participated in WPWP and WLE editing activities. She is among the first three female members of the PH-WC Board.
  • Zyra Hila (User:Zyrahila) has joined in photography walks, editing sessions and helped in creating promotional designs for Wiki Loves Folkore Philippines.
  • Francis Charles Brioso (User:Kabu Sawsaw) has was first involved as a participant in Wiki Gap Campaign in 2020. Ever since, he has been involved in community outreach activities. He is a faculty member of San Juan National High School wherein he organized the Wiki Loves Arts mural in his school, distributed over 200 Reading Wikipedia in the Classroom booklets, and participated in photography walks.
  • Roderick Sumalinog (User:Derk29) joined the 13th Bikol Wikipedia Day and has been actively joining outreach activities namely photography walks, editing sessions and Wiki Loves Art mural painting.
  • John Paul Collantes (User:Jp2593) has been actively adding content on English Wikipedia, Bikol Wikipedia and Wikidata since 2013.
  • Raniel Jose Castaneda (Ranieljosecastaneda) has been an active contributor on Wikimedia Commons since 2018. He is an award-winning photographer both in the national and international level. He won the Wiki Loves Fashion Philippines in 2021 and 2022, and Wiki Loves Earth Philippines in 2021. He recently joined PhilWiki Community and participated at the WikiCommons PH Conference 2023 wherein he gave a presentation on bird photography.
  • Alvin Casitas (Alvin Casitas) is an award-winning photographer and is newbie contributor on Wikimedia Commons. He won the Wiki Loves Monuments Philippines in 2022. He recently joined PhilWiki Community and participated at WikiCommons PH Conference 2023.
  • Jesse Alegre (Jessartcam) is an award-winning photographer newbie contributor on Wikimedia Commons. He won the Wiki Loves Monuments Philippines. He recently joined PhilWiki Community and participated at the WikiCommons PH Conference 2023 wherein he gave a presentation on landscape photography.

Rationale for Recognition

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An organization which applies for recognition as a Wikimedia Chapter or Thematic Organisation is required to clearly articulate how recognition will enhance its ability to further the charitable mission of the Wikimedia Foundation and the global Wikimedia movement.

The PhilWiki Community User Group has been growing since its formation in 2015 as a small community of editors and volunteers. The organization will be celebrating its 10th year on June 1, 2025. Thru the activities, programs and projects of the User Group, many of its members have become project proponents, community organizers and community leaders themselves. Our network of institutional partners as well as Wikimedia affiliates and communities have been flourishing as well.

We have attracted participants and new volunteers to the movement from different sector of the society, and we have also retained prolific contributors from specially from Wikimedia Commons thru the Wiki Loves photography contests. We have established partnerships with GLAM institutions and strengthening our linkages with the local governments are among our strategies. We have also started establishing Wiki Clubs in a university and in the basic education.

We believe that the User Group has promising potential of establishing more communities and partnerships in the near future. As one of the developing communities in the East, Southeast and the Pacific region, getting a status of a chapter will boost our capacity to further promote the minorities, bridge gender knowledge gaps, and to support the underrepresented communities in the region and beyond. The recognition will benefit our organization in many ways, such as enhancing its ability to build partnership and attract funders and volunteers being a legal entity with a long track record and networks of organizations.

References

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  1. ↑ PhilWiki Community promotes language preservation and cultural heritage advocacies at ADNU. Education Newsletter
  2. ↑ Kintab Artist Group, Inc. holds 2nd Pagkarahay Art Festival amid the pandemic by Ana-Liza S. Macatangay. Philippine Information Agency. Published on March 10, 2021
  3. ↑ Abogado Juan - Hapot mo Simbag ko. LENGGWAHENG BIKOL, NAGHIHINAGDAN? PHILHEALTH: SUMPAY BUHAY O DAI? (You Tube) August 29, 2020.
  4. ↑ WikiGap: Closing the Digital Gender Gap YouTube. Uploaded on March 6, 2021
  5. ↑ CBSUA Launches Wiki Education in Partnership with PhilWiki Community and Bikol Wikipedia Community. Education Newsletter
  6. ↑ PhilWiki Community promotes language preservation and cultural heritage advocacies at ADNU. Education Newsletter
  7. ↑ Wikisource promotion at UNC Museum GLAM Newsletter
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