NAMRIA celebrated the 120^th year of Coast and Geodetic Survey in the Philippines and the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) event with activities held virtually throughout the month of September 2021.  The celebration of the two events were under the leadership of NAMRIA Administrator, Usec. Peter N. Tiangco, PhD and Hydrography Branch (HB) OIC-Director, Cdr. Antonio G. Valenzuela, Jr.  The activities were spearheaded by HB officials and staff.

The month-long celebration included a social media campaign, maritime quiz bees, and hydrography-related webinars.  These activities were conducted to raise public and agencywide awareness on coast and geodetic survey, maritime, and archipelagic concerns.

Official poster for the events 

All throughout the month of September, the Facebook page of the Client Service Unit of the NAMRIA HB @NAMRIAMaritime posted trivia, interesting facts, and other information related to hydrography, nautical charting, and survey-related practices.

NAMRIA interesting facts on Galathea Depth posted on the NAMRIA Maritime Facebook page on 01 September 2021

A virtual Maritime Quiz Bee was also held on 22 September 2021 in two editions: one for the other Branches of the agency and another for HB. The Branch Edition was participated in by two teams each from Support Services Branch (SSB) and Geospatial Information System Management Branch (GISMB), and one team from Mapping and Geodesy Branch. The questions for this edition were focused on general maritime information. Team SSB1 composed of Norelius G. Baloran, SN3 Marissa S. Rosales, and SN3 Gemavill M. Retardo was declared Champion. Team GISMB2 composed of Rosalyn D. Sontillanosa, John Richard R. Bongalos, and Lady P. Smith; and team SSB2 composed of Blessie Marie M. Panganiban, Reychelle D. Borlagon, and Ma. Jesabel M. Ramos garnered the first and second runners-up awards, respectively. 

2021 Maritime Quiz Bee Branch Edition participants

The HB edition was participated in by all branch divisions along with three teams from the survey vessels. The questions revolved around six categories, namely: General Information, Nautical Charting, Hydrography, Physical Oceanography, Seamanship and Navigation, and Maritime Affairs. Team Survey Support Division (SSD) composed of Lt. Dionesio C. Gato Jr, Ens. Mary Genevieve C. Borbon, and Ens. Robin C. Bolor was declared Champion, with team BRPH Ventura composed of Ens. Joshua Bren G. Ebrada, Ens. Janine Ann D. Magmoyao, and P/Ens. Joshua M. Alarin and team Nautical Charting Division (NCD) composed of Ens. Clarizza Mae B. Biong, Engr Henry A. Coldes II, and SN3 Katrina R. Valentin finishing as first and second runners-up, respectively.

  2021 Maritime Quiz Bee HB Edition participants

NAMRIA agencywide webinars were also organized by the four divisions of HB. The Physical Oceanography Division (POD) started the MANA Mo 2021 Webinar Series on 17 September 2021 with a seminar entitled Physical Oceanographic Observation Operations.  This was followed by a webinar from SSD entitled Bathymetric Information System held on 20 September 2021. Refresher on Municipal Waters for Field Survey Teams webinar by Maritime Affairs Division was also conducted on 23 September 2021. NCD ended the webinar series with an S-57 to S-1O1 Migration learning event held on 29 September 2021. 

       SSD MANA Mo "Bathymetric Information System" webinar

Incidentally, NAMRIA survey vessels also participated in the nationwide simultaneous dressing of ships and blowing of horn on 20 September 2021 as part of the nationwide kick-off ceremony of the 22^nd National Maritime Week.

         BRP Hydrographer Presbitero, a participant in the nationwide simultaneous dressing of ships and blowing of horn for the 22^nd National Maritime Week