iBlog 7: The Philippine Blogging Summit

The Banner says it all.

I did not know anything about iBlog—The 7th Philippine Blogging Summit until a friend had sent me the link. She had plans of going and she told me she’d had the two of us registered. I was quite hesitant to attend the event since my friend had decided not come. It was an early Friday morning, and in all honesty, it’s quite difficult to get up that early, but I was glad to have found my way at the Malcolm Hall in UP College of Law, UP Diliman.

It's my first time, so I wouldn't wanna miss this event.

It was sponsored by GMA 7.

It was my first time to attend the iBlog Summit and coming to the event alone gave me jitters. I was able to personally meet people from the blogosphere—those  I used to only read about. I was delighted to see Mommy Rubz Ricafrente of Pinay Mommy Online (she was seated a row behind me), Ms. Janette Toral of the Influentialblogger.net, Ms. Josephine Bonsol, Mr. Jonel Uy of Nomnom Club and Let’s Go Sago among others. 

Beautiful bloggers like Daryll Villena and Ia Adam Lim smile at my camera.

The first day of the event was intended for entrepreneurs wanting to understand how to tap blogs as venue to promote their products and services. Topics during the first day were Public Relations Success through Effective Social Media Management by Ruben Licera Jr., Blogger Etiquette by Earth Rullan, Be the Blogging and Social Media Champion in your Company by Regnard Raquedan, Blog Traffic by Melvin Dichoso, Organizing Blog Contests by Jayson Biadog, GMA News Online editor Howie Severino shared about his blogging and journalism experience, Earning from Blogging and Offline Marketing for your Blog by the husband-and-wife-tandem of EJ and Ginger Arboleda, Ten Power Blogging Tips by Carlo Ople, and the challenging question: Are We Ready for a National Bloggers Association or Professional Bloggers Association? By Ms. Janette Toral. 

Mr. Jayson Biadog talks at the lectern.

Newbie blogger Ian Christopher with his famous elephant hat.

Guest speaker: Award winning journalist Mr. Howie Severino.

For day two, Roby Alampay had a talk about creating TV5’s Interaksyon website, Blogging 101 by Jonel Uy and Jinkee Umali, Podcasting 101 by Adrian Jeric Pena, Dealing with Writer’s Block by Roy Dela Cruz, Blogging for Advocacy by Sonnie Santos, Grace Nicolas, and Ivan Henares, Blogging with Traffic without SEO by Fitz Villafuerte, Your Blog and Facebook by Mon Macutay, Building a Discussion  Community by Michael Rubio and Blogging, Social Networks, Online Relationships as Support System by Ria Tirazona.

One of the topics discussed: Blogging in the time of Facebook.

One of the speakers I truly enjoyed listening to, Mr. Roy Dela Cruz .

I had really enjoyed Carlo Ople’s talk. He’s generous enough to share his knowledge with the audience, his “walang basagan ng trip” was surely a hit among us. I’d say the same thing with Fitz Villafuerte. He had us glued to our seats and he truly had a rapport with the audience.  I also liked the way Roy Dela Cruz had his talk—simple, straight-to-the-point but with a really good sense of humor. It was like watching a stand-up comedian onstage because he would inject humor in his own unique way. And of course, Ms. Janette Toral had left us with a challenging question to answer whether we are indeed ready for a National Bloggers Association or Professional Bloggers Association. 

On the second day, the UP Concert Chorus rendered three intermission numbers.

One of the most memorable things, I've met Mommy Rubz Ricafrente of Pinay Mommy Bloggers.

Yourstruly with the Binalot mascot.

Another photo opp I couldn't pass, having this pic with Ms. Janette Toral of influentialblogger.net

I won an iBlog blue shirt during the first day raffle. I have learned a lot from the iBlog Summit and I was lucky enough to have gained new friends.  What’s more? I was able to meet people I never knew I’d shake hands with personally.

My badge and the t-shirt I had won from the raffle.

With new found friends, Ian, Daryll and Momo.

That night, I’ve brought home with me more than just knowledge on blogging per se, I was truly happy I went to the iBlog Summit, because far more than the experience, I learned camaraderie and was able to gain new friends as well. These are iBlog7 memories I’d be keeping in my heart forever.