Feature:

Bloggers shine in the first edition of the VBS

By Pepin

The 1st Visayas Blogging Summit was indeed a blast! Not only were there an array of informative talks and a showcase of the Ilonggo culture, but everyone got into the true spirit of blogging.

Hundreds of blogger from the different parts of the Visayas flocked to SM City Iloilo Cinema to listen to some of the experts of blogging. Many realized the importance of this endeavor, especially on how it can be a tool for change and an excellent channel for promoting advocacies.

But the summit itself was centered on how bloggers can develop and keep a passion on blogging rather than turning it into a money-making scheme on the web. Many participants raised different questions on how they can commit to their responsibility as “web scribblers” and as “netizens”. Many more would have like their queries to be resolved if only not for the time constraint.

"You must have passion!" 

by Aileen Apolo

Topic: I have a blog, now what?

"Don't change for it, be a part of it!"

by Flowell Galindez

Topic: Blogging for advocacy

"We can form a community that will blog for one nobel purpose"

by Tonyo Cruz

Topic: Social Media and Citizenship: Elections, Ondoy, and Beyond

"With new media, anybody with anything to say can say it anytime he or she wants."

by Ria Jose

Topic: Role of bloggers as new media

"You have to ask yourself, 'Am I contributing something useful?'"

by Jayvee Fernandez

Topic: Blogging Ethics: What's hot and what's not

"Travel is a sensory experience - you have to see, smell, taste, hear, and feel the place."

by Estan Cabigas

Topic: Selling the best of the Philippines through blogging

"If you see anyone violating the copyright law, educate him with the right thing to do."

by Anton Sheker

Topic: How can we protect our intellectual property rights?

"If I have to handle a brand, I see to it that it should be useful."

by Janette Toral

Topic: Impact of blogs and social networking sites to businesses

"You need to blog something with commercial value."

by Fitz Villafuerte

Topic: 101 ways of earning money through blogging

"Having an advocacy on your blog will not only be good for you, but for your community and country."

by Blogie Robillo

Topic: Internet Governance: Implications and Opportunities

"I am a person in constant transition, so are you. Blogging allows us to document the milestones in our lives."

by Lloyd Tronco

Topic: Why Visayans should blog?

While the discussions were taking place, the audience enjoyed free cups of coffee from Bluejay Coffee and Deli, as well as delectable treats of cheese bread and biscocho courtesy of Deocampos Barquillos. There were also a lot of freebies from other event sponsors and from the speakers themselves.

At night time, the Visayan bloggers took part in the first ever Philippine Blog Awards Visayas held at The Venue. Outstanding bloggers in various categories were recognized during a short program prepared by the Iloilo Bloggers Inc. The participants were also treated with a free buffet dinner prepared by the most lavish restaurants located at The Avenue and a giant cake baked by Tinapayan.

On the second day, bloggers witnessed the Ilonggo hospitality and way of life as they tour different hot spots and heritage sites. They also got a chance to taste some of the mouth-watering delights that the city boast a lot.

The event was truly a success, not only because the attendees consist of bloggers from provinces as far as Dumaguete, Cebu, Tacloban, Manila, and the Mindanao region, but it testified that Filipino did not only emerge as masters of web-browsing through the years, but also of blogging.