For me, events like iBlog (held at the auditorium of the UP School of Economics) are not only for learning purposes. It is more of a chance to meet and exchange ideas with bloggers offline. As such, I am presenting my observations about the people I met at iBlog.
The first people that I saw were Pierre and Ajay, before the program for the first day had started. (Actually, the first person I saw at the registration was Atty. Noel Punzalan, aka Atty. Punzi). I really wanted to introduce myself, but my inherent shyness prevented me from doing so. A mistake. Anyway, when Mam Janette delivered the invocation, I was hoping that it would not cause controversy. Directly in the row infront of me were Dean Jorge Bocobo and Atty. Punzi. I also saw Shari with her brother.
Off-topic, but we Pinoys really have problems with our concept of time.
At lunch, I met Josh of chickenmafia.com and Dhon of islandboyinthecity (that’s a long one). And courtesy of Juned, I finally got to chat with DJB. The fact that he’s entertaining the idea of voting for Richard Gomez surprised me, and hearing his reasons why surprises me still.
After the first day ended, some of the participants (me included) went to the University Hotel for some drinks. I was seated together with Juned, Mam Noemi Dado, Jeff, and Eugene. Mam Noemi was one of the speakers of the day, and her blogging success is inspiring; her goal is inspiring too. From now on, I will read her blog; who knows, someone might need comfort, and at least I would know what to do.
I was looking forward for the second day, which included top-heavy topics. As I arrived, I saw Mam Ellen Tordesillas, who introduced me to Ms. Yvonne Chua (formerly of PCIJ) and Wilson Chua (president of Bitstop). Then I saw MLQ3, and to this day I chide myself for not introducing myself to him. Ditto with Ricky Carandang (it’s nice to know he got his domain name back, I hope he blogs again soon).
During the afternoon break, I also failed to introduce myself and congratulate Alecks Pabico, one of the bloggers behind the PCIJ blog, the winner of the Philippine Blog Awards for News and Media Category.
The second day session was an abbreviated one, due to lack of time (I don’t like to blame anyone, but read the off-topic comment above for the reason why).
For me, the best presentations were by Marcelle Fabie and Dean Francis Alfar (not in any order). Both of them had their audience at the edge of their seats. I really think there are born communicators, born teachers, and born teachers-communicators.
Hopefully, the presentations slides will be available soon.
Thanks to Atty. JJ Disini, Mam Janette Toral, and the volunteers for such a great program, and hopefully I’ll see all of them (and meet new ones) at iBlog4.
And please remind me to chain my shyness outside the venue when iBlog4 is on. Thanks.
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Missed at iBlog 3:
Jove Francisco
Victor Villanueva (Bikoy; I really wanted to ask him a question)
Julius Rocas (Four-Eyed Journal; thought I saw him, but apparently he was not there)
Sasha (apparently she was there)
Sayang. I was with Juned for most of day 2. Next time
Hey, nice meeting you too! From what I’ve seen of your blog so far, you tend to write about politics and current affairs?
See you at the next blogging event! 🙂
Thank you for taking time to participate in iBlog3. Glad to hear from you during the open mic session. I also missed Jove as the election beat takes a lot of media’s time to attend the event.
Hello, Arbet. Thanks!
The reason why I failed to attend the summit: “someone’s husband is still recovering and confined at the St. Luke’s Medical Center (wink) (wink)”
Too bad, I really wanted to be there in UP.
Hi Janette! Congrats to you and the whole team!
Hi, Eugene, you are right. If that’s not your stuff, you can hop on to the other blog he he.
Hi, Mam Janette. It was a blast. Looking forward for iBlog4. I would like to make some suggestions, how can I send them to you?
Hi, Sir Jove. I thought someone’s husband is a private citizen (hence those 40+ libel cases)? What’s the media coverage? He he. Wrong timing he he.
Thanks all for dropping by my little corner in the cyberspace.
Hi, Atty. Punzi, I’m sorry. Spam Karma marked your comment as spam. Bad Spam Karma, bad.
Yeah, see you next time.
hi arbet. what was it you wanted to ask? 🙂
Hi, Bikoy, sent you an email.
Hello,
I am Jerome Herrera. I am the owner of Pinoy Penster Community, a website for Amateur and Professional Filipino Writers. I was wondering if we could exchange links. This will give your blog/website a wonderful opportunity to be exposed to our hundreds of visitors everyday. If you are interested, please email me at jeromeherrera2006@gmail.com. Pinoy Penster Community is located at http://penster.fyi.ph
Ellen Tordesillas? It rings a bell. Oh yes, she banned me from her blog. The reason? I made a retaliatory post to a blogger who earlier insulted me
I never insult people. But if someone insults me, I don’t hesitate to return the favor.
The funny thing is, that post which contained insults to me was retained, while my retaliatory post (and my name eventually) deleted!
Before deleting my retaliatory post and my name, I complained to her. Instead of reprimanding the offending blogger, she had the gall to tell me that if I don’t like the way she runs her blog, Im free not to visit.
I could understand her refusal to sanction that particular blogger – she’s the source of half of the million hits of Ellen’s blog!
Its obvious she’s not practising what she preaches. I thought she’s the champion of free expression. Yet she engages in censorship in the blogosphere, of all places! Isn’t that ironic?
She has demonstrated that she is no different from her favorite person, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
It was so nice seeing you again, Mr. iPod winner #2. :p
You’re luckier than me, you got to talk with some people I actually admire. Well, at least I got a pic taken with Dean Alfar, haha!
Hi, Shari, at least you got a pic taken with Dean Alfar he he. Me, I don’t have a camera, so I have no evidence that I was there.