"Every child, woman and man should possess licence to speak or sing in his or her true voice."- Joyce Maynard, At Home in the World (Picador USA) Today is my 10th Anniversary as a blogger. And that quote is the one I shared from my first blog post. Here's a screen capture: and here's the link. And here's the full resolution copy of the screen capture: LINK. Then and now, blogging has been a fulfillment of my dream to write... attempts at getting my thoughts, feelings, and ideas out into the world. Not because I think people can learn from me or that I have something profound to share but because I really just want to write, to speak, to share. In the 10 years I have been blogging, I have published a lot of posts, started a lot of blogs, met a lot of new people, started a lot of projects, and had countless experiences. One thing remains constant, though, I blog because I want to blog. Yes, I do blog for causes, partners, clients, and sponsors. I blog when people invite me to events or when companies ask me to but only when I like what I am…
Tag: blogging
My 29th Year Part Deux
Despite the illness, the challenges of my house arrest, and the extra safety and health precautions I have to take, I am very grateful to be alive. There was a change in me. and people noticed. I gained a ton of weight, around 20 lbs. And then there was less drinking, less night outs, less stress, and less work. While I was sick, I had to skip a lot of events and was given less workload. While resting, I pondered on a lot of things like love and relationships, forgiveness, letting go and moving on, and many other things about life and dealing with its challenges. This was when I accepted that I couldn't control a lot of things in my life and I accepted it, not quite wholeheartedly, but there was acceptance. I realized that there was really nothing else I'd like to do more than to write. And I told myself I was going to be ok as long as I can write and share my crazy thoughts to the world. I was allowed to go to Metro Manila with the Avatar Media Team for WordCamp Philippines 2010. I delivered the opening remarks to the event and was…
State of the Philippine Blogosphere
The last of the major blogging events for this year was the BlogFest Soccsksargen held at General Santos City on December 11, 2010. It was successfully organized by the Sox Bloggers in only 3 weeks. Avel Manansala gave me the task of opening the BlogFest with a talk on the "State of the Philippine Blogosphere." I had a hard time gathering my thoughts and inputs while I made my presentation. I depended on Ratified data and the input of many Filipino bloggers before I finalized my talk. Here is the slide show presentation that accompanied my talk: State of the Philippine BlogosphereView more presentations from Avatar Media. I divided my talk into three parts focusing on current trends, the development of blogging communities, and the landmark blogging events of 2010. 30 minutes is definitely not enough to summarize how vibrant and controversial the Philippine Blogosphere has been in 2010. I refused to focus on the controversies and divisive issues and highlighted the best moments of the Filipino bloggers and Philippine blogs. Surprisingly, the theme of my talk coincided with the theme of the Philippine Blog Awards 2010, which is "Beyond Blogging." Most of the other speakers during BlogFest also emphasized…
VBS Talk: The Role of Bloggers as New Media
I was anxious to present my talk at the Visayas Blogging Summit. I was tasked to talk on the Role of Bloggers as New Media, a topic I am familiar with but haven't done a presentation about yet. I was a bit nervous but I think I delivered well. I hope. I was glad that a couple of participants asked questions after my talk, and several approached me after the event. Somebody event quoted me during the PBA Visayas Awards Night 2010. Here are the slides I used for my talk: The Role of Bloggers as New MediaView more presentations from Avatar Media. Hope you find it useful and informative. Madamo gid na salamat sa organizers, participants, and other speakers of the very successful First Visayas Blogging Summit! :) Live. Love. Learn.
So, You’re Not a Professional Eh?
I have often been asked why I consider myself as a professional blogger. They think I've become a millionaire from my blogs. Errr... SO NOT TRUE! My earnings are just enough to keep my blogs running. So why do I call myself a professional blogger? I consider myself a professional blogger because of the discipline, level of dedication and commitment I have for blogging. And yes, because I oblige myself to blog well and properly. I believe you do not become a professional blogger by virtue of the amount of money you earn from blogging. Professionalism is in the way you conduct yourself and the amount of work you put into whatever it is you are doing. There is nothing wrong with not being a professional blogger. If you don't want to be or to be known as a "professional blogger," then by all means do as you please, blog as you want. A blog is what you make of it. That's the beauty of blogging. You are free to express yourself, blog about whatever you want to blog. And yes, even blog as recklessly as you want. And you probably won't get punished for it. I don't have any…
I’m Attending the Cebu Blog Camp 2010
I was in Cebu months ago but I was mostly confined to the hotel. Hence, the boring photo of me in the business attire. But I'm going back there next weekend and I am very, very, very much excited. Aside from the promise of good food and great company, I will be attending the Cebu Blog Camp 2010. The theme of the event is "Blogging, Expressions, and Opportunities." And not just that, I will be a speaker, too. My good friend, Winston Almendras is one of the organizers of the event and he has invited me to be part of the program. I will be talking about "Blogging in the Community, for the Community" with emphasis on the "essence of utilizing blogging for community building." Interesting. I will be speaking in behalf of and based on my experiences and insights with Davao Bloggers, Avatar Media, and as a Diyosa Blogger. LOL with me people! I expect to have a nerve-wracking but insightful good time as a speaker. I hope to impart my insights and gain inputs from the participants as well. Other speakers of the events are Mica Rodriguez, Aileen Apolo - de Jesus, Evanjohnn Mendoza, Janette Toral, Juned Sunido,…