The iBlog10 Experience (Part 2)

4/9/2014 10:43:02 AM

There are so many memories and learning from Day 1. I know, the question from your mind goes: hey slick, how about the second?

Well, that is something I am gonna tell you for today. No need to worry, alright?

Aside from the almost the same routine as I did on Friday, I dropped by at the Vibal booth once again for much curiosity – in regards to that publishing e-book thingy. Seriously, I seem convinced on that project, and it turned my interest anew in writing (‘coz a few days back I am not just suffering a writer’s block, but also a quarter life crisis-like scenarios).

Well, I just hope I need to hit the right guys and improve from there (‘coz seriously, it seems I am not).

Anyway, moving on… sports blogger Ivan Saldajeno was in the house; and he spoke about the rise of sports bloggers in the Philippines.

Now that is something I can mostly relate into considering that yours truly actually started in this venture by putting my takes on several marquee match-ups in the National Basketball Association. But that was five years ago, though.

Afterwards, Jason Bagio hit the podium and spoke about the goodness of link-building.

After the break, Bien Nillos also told us about why other professionals, such as the ones from the medical field, should go blog. From there, business-minded peeps took over as speakers Genesis Reonico, Sonnie Santos, and Vanj Padilla engaged the participants in discussing about the bloggers as entrepreneurs.

As the afternoon session rolls, all eyes and camera lens were on Mr. Howie Severino as the Kapuso reporter took the spotlight and tackled the future of journalism, as well as how does blogging gets involved into it.

After Severino, it was Lace Llarena’s turn to discuss the impact of Crowdsourcing and Social Media on Business.While outside the hall, bloggers including yours truly took chances in photo ops and even interviewing the now-EIC of GMA News Online.

Then, Christian Blanquera introduced us into a new world named “startups.”

From there, Cebu-native Ruben Licera Jr presented the state of blogging in the countryside; with more emphasis to the central Philippines.

Then there’s nothing but good laugh while you’re learning around with Atty. JJ Disini when he spoke about the internet regulation. I think he just made the issue lighter considering it was quite very heavy to talk about with the advent of those blog-threatening provisions of the Cybercrime Law.

Last, but not the least, the Digital Filipino lady herself was on the podium where she tackled the 20 years of existence of the internet in the Philippines, and answers the questions relating to the future of blogging.

Well, Janette’s talk reminds me of my own thoughts on where the blogging will go from here (aside from hoping there’s an 11^thPhilippine Blogging Summit next year). And perhaps, that is something I will deal with you guys next time.

Anyway, what's an iBlog without a raffle segment? Here are several people who won the prizes. 

I knew that I talk less this time around, but anyway… here are my other thoughts from the second summit day.

·         Good links are hard to find. You just can’t expect that to be found easily on Google, Yahoo, Bing, or any other search engines. It’s like finding a good kind of car, better quality of Wrestlemania video to download, best rap song made by any local underground artist, or even finding a relationship partner – you will definitely have to exert effort to find the best things.

·         Sports will be the best thing on the planet. Of course, I’m bias. Nah, seriously, since most of the blogs comprised entertainment and political items, it’s high time to see more of them covering the emerging popularity of UFC, volleyball leagues, and as well as the always-skyrocketing NBA and other basketball associations.

·         Bloggers will be the new bunch of journalists; and whether you agree or not, they will be. In fact, some self-proclaimed news websites can actually fool you if you would only learn to read between the lines.

·         Cyber issues can never take down blogging. This is the philosophy where I really believe, and all you need to do though is two things: know your boundaries, and fight for a much-deserving right. In fact, there are more provisions which the blogosphere peeps will have to protest about. Though let’s face the fact  that it’s gonna be a long journey ahead.

·         The future is bright. No question about it.

I think that’s all for me for the iBlog10, folks! Looking forward to the 11^th summit which might happen on… okay, I have no idea if that might took place soon (or at least, when).

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions

The iBlog10 Experience (Part 1)

4/8/2014 8:36:03 PM

It was like ten months in the making. And in fact, they just celebrated their ten years in this venture. And when they formally announced the event, I was one of the people who were more excited. Yes, frankly speaking, I was really looking forward for the 10^th Philippine Blogging Summit.

I wasted no time in deciding (since being too patient is not really part of my personality at all): I immediately signed my name there, and bet my money that I could not really afford to miss this big thing in blogging (nah, just kidding on the latter part).

It was Friday morning, around 8:20 in the morning when I finally entered the hallway of the Malcolm Hall inside the Diliman campus of the University of the Philippines in Quezon City. It was quite a lovely sight on a bright, sunny morning; and Kid Rock’s “Celebrate” is playing on my mind (the 2012 track apparently went on to become the main theme of the WWE’s 30^th edition of WrestleMania). 

Then, I hurriedly went to the registration booth and wasted no chance to pick my very viewing spot (you know where it means).

The first people who talked on the iBlog10 were Mrs. Noem Lardizabal-Dado and Mr. Carlo Ople, for the topic “Bloggers as New Media personalities.” 

Though Dado, known as the @momblogger on Twitter, spoke best on her advocacy-in relation to the talk which includes EpalWatch, I learned a lot more on Ople’s part (and I’m not saying this just because I was part of the guy’s social network for I think about four years). What the hell I am talking about? See photo below.

Yes, if you want to be a damn good fella in the new media, just simply follow his five steps.

And… oh, it was the only time I met Mr. Ople in the flesh.

After the first hiatus, Jinoe Gavan, Azrael Coladilla and When In Manila’s main man Vince Golangco spoke in regards to Bulding Communities Through Blogging.

They all have respective yet similar points in the topic though. I’m gonna let my captured photographs do the talking this time around.

Though Golango’s “10 Steps To Create A Writing Portfolio” really caught my attention. Yes, and why wouldn’t anyone since we used to read those Thought Catalog-like posts anyway (i.e. top 10 things about blah blah blah).

What are those? Simple: #1 – Start Writing; and #s 2 to 10 – Keep on Writing. I think Vince said it best with that hilarious meme on the wide screen.

During the lunch break, I managed to bump with the booth of Vibal Foundation, and found out they were now offering services of creating e-books for the indie authors like yours truly. Also, during the two-day event, they had three promos. 

I has yet to listen to their presentation later that day though.

After their afternoon talk, several personalities such as Grace Bondad Nicolas, Jonel Uy, Boris Joaquin, and Fitz Villafuerte on F199 Jobs spoke about the side of Bloggers as the Digital Marketers. Afterwards, it was Joeff Solas,  Mannix Pabalan, and Brad Geiser’s turn to hit the stage and tackle the Bloggers as Part of Internet Marketing and Advertising.

But I admire Geiser’s style in delivering his talk though.

Since then, Tonyo Cruz and Francis Acero spoke about what are the capabilities of bloggers in shaping your own personal opinion and national advocacies.

And before the day ends, I also managed to drop by at the GMA News’ booth, where they are raffling several prizes, including a Samsung Galaxy Note. However, I managed to score an 8GB USB. Not bad!

Now, after an ‘information overload’ Friday, what are my other thoughts for iBlog10? I can tell you a few of them, like:

·         Don’t write just to be the most-Googled site. Who cares if you’re the most searchable site if everything you have there is just a mere piece of crap? SEO can really help you, but there’s more to life than digging most of your blogging life on that aspect; as more people from the blogosphere will slap you with these truthful words: “Content is still the king.”

·         Content still matters the most. This is where people will recognize you; and at the same time, the marketers are really after. No one of them will give a shit on your catchy name or design. You know what I’m saying? MESSAGE, dudes: And another thing:

·         Being viral won’t make you famous. It’s just a number. Popularity is just a title; and a real talk tip for you: both items (viral and popular) are just temporary. It won’t last a long run. It’s like asking: “who cares if you got a thousand page views when in fact all you have right there is nothing but (I’ll say it again) a mere piece of crap?”

Well, the only exception to this rule: that’s if you are making money through this venture (I mean, for real). Otherwise, better yet…

·         Go for good. I mean, create a good post – something that people is really worth reading at all; and something that will really sell in a long run.

·         “Stand up for something of your own.” At the modern times, your blog is your own voice. This is where you are stating and entitling your own opinion the most. This is also the venue where your principle in life lies. So, you better know your worth.

·         Find the right guys. Especially if we’re talking about creating or joining a community group in the online shores.

You just can’t blend with the other type of people just to say “Hey, I’m part of this (name) group!” (believe me, I tried). And I’m pretty much sure there will be a lot of peeps out there who has the same interests and niches like you do.

·         Take care. It actually sounds sweet, right? But I am more pertaining to your blog – the brand that you own right now. You should also take care of your readers. And also…

·         Show up. This applies for bloggers who used to attend the events but did not managed to put up a single blog post about them.

You know, you have been trusted to write something about them in return, regardless of whatever time period it might took you. I’ll quote an article I read from a blog entitled Knowing Ropes: “If invited by a PR in an event, they are hopeful that you’ll blog about them. If you won’t, then better not go.”

·         Stay consistent. Just keep on creating a post. Don’t settle for viral alone. Write something that your readers can relate.

Anyway, next on the list will be the part two of my #iBlog10 experience. Stay tuned! Meanwhile, you can check out the entire album containing other images I took during the Day 1 of the 10th Philippine Blogging Summit in my Facebook page

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions

Monolith Fun Run 2014 Launch at Cowboy Grill Quezon Ave. Branch

4/2/2014 10:50:00 PM

Here’s something I spotted over last month. Well, that was the evening of March 12 to be exact.

Monolith has launched their fun run for a cause. It will happen at April 27, Sunday, at the Mall of Asia grounds in Pasay City.

The construction and development firm will also aim to raise funds for the benefit of the survivors of typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan). To do so, you can register at the respective race categories posted.

Yours truly was lucky to be part of the pool of photographers and bloggers (alongside friend SailorStarCatcher who happens to be a runner also) along with their staff when they formally conferred at that Cowboy Grill branch in Quezon Avenue-Delta area in Quezon City.

Meanwhile, as Monolith presented their event to us, so was the Cowboy Grill. I mean, on what their business is really about. Plus, their dinner seemed to suit my stomach more (takaw mode lang eh. Hahaha!)

But anyway, maybe if there’s a place to check out if we’re talking about the less noisier side of nightlife here, I think I found a potential choice! Anyway, since it’s summer, maybe I should take a breather here soon!

Author: slickmaster | © 2014 september twenty-eight productions