NWU Geodetic Students Make History with National Surveylympics Win

The Geodetic Engineering Students’ Organization of Northwestern University (GESO-NWU) marked a historic milestone as they clinched the championship title in the Surveylympics – Leveling Competition during the National Geodetic Engineering Summit and Geodetic Engineering Student Conference (NATGESxGESC) 2025, held at the University of the Philippines – Diliman, Quezon City on May 9 to 10.

Hosted by the UP Geodetic Engineering Club, the national event brought together future geodetic engineers, professionals, and educators across the Philippines. This year’s theme, “Avantis: Advancing Sustainability Through Innovation in Geomatics,” underscored the vital role of geomatics in driving sustainable solutions and technological advancement in the field.

One of the highlights was the Surveylympics, where selected teams, including NWU, were tested on their field surveying skills, particularly in leveling —one of the most fundamental tasks in geodetic engineering.

In an interview, Engr. Glorina Curammeng, Geodetic Engineering Department head and coach of the NWU team, recounted the rigorous preparation that paved the way for their victory. “Before heading to Manila, we made sure our students were fully prepared. We started by ensuring they could independently perform first-order leveling. They accomplished that here in school as part of their training,” she shared.

Of the five university teams selected for the final competition, Engr. Curammeng proudly noted that GESO-NWU was the only team that didn’t require a second attempt to complete their task. “We were honestly surprised. At that point, we thought we wouldn’t place at all. So when they won, we were overjoyed,” she added, reflecting on the unexpected win.

Despite the team’s triumph, the journey was not without challenges. With most of the members being first and second-year students, balancing academic demands with intensive training posed a significant hurdle. “Fatigue was the main challenge,” Engr. Curammeng explained.

GESO-NWU prevailed over multiple universities in a tightly contested event that required not only technical expertise but also strategic teamwork and composure under pressure. The winning team was composed of first-year and second-year students: Godfhrey Mediatrix Bonnao, Ephraim Jezreel Lagoc, Jamaica Faye Caronan, and Mark Joseph Tesora.

In a separate interview, two first-year student representatives shared their experience on a national stage. “It was a fulfilling experience to be part of the event,” said Mr. Lagoc. “Winning was such a proud moment, especially after all the effort we put into practice. We were tired, but it was all worth it.”

Mr. Bonnao, on the other hand, reflected on the challenges they faced during their preparation. “One of the toughest parts was managing our schedules. We had to juggle different classes and training sessions, which made things difficult,” he said. “We didn’t expect to win—we just gave our best,” he added.

GESO-NWU’s achievement is more than just a competition win; it signals the rise of a new generation of geodetic engineers committed to excellence and innovation. With the support of dedicated mentors and a vision to elevate field practice, the team’s performance set a new benchmark for what’s possible in undergraduate geodetic education.

The two-day conference marks a milestone in its commitment to excellence. In the end, NWU stood not merely as a participant but as a pioneer in student excellence, making history as the first-ever Surveylympics champion.