Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3

Last Saturday, October 24, 2009, bloggers from Mindanao  convened at Pearlmont Hotel here in Cagayan de Oro City. It was the 3^rd Mindanao Bloggers’ Summit, a yearly event which was spearheaded by Bloggie Robillo in 2007.

[caption id="attachment_1378" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="CDO Mayor Tinnex Jaraula"][/caption]

The gathering was attended  by bloggers mostly from various parts of Mindanao, while some flew in all the way from Luzon.  The summit  instilled the responsibilities that come along with the power of blogging.  Our websites may not be the mainstream source of information but its influences cannot be understated. The occasion called for ways to change the way people view Mindanao, hence the theme: “ Mindanao, Bag-uhon and Panan-aw." Beyond the insurgencies regularly featured on national TV, we hope to unravel the other side of Mindanao, its beauty that is oftentimes tainted with the ugly circumstances in certain areas. What people don’t know is that in most parts of Mindanao, we live quite normal lives.

[caption id="attachment_1379" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="US Embassy Chief of Mission, Leslie Bassett"][/caption]

Pearlmont Inn's Bayanihan Ballroom was perfect for the event. Its design furnitures in the hallway are consistent with the hotel's Filipino-Spanish interiors. However, the downside of this convention place is its limited parking space.

The summit was graced by key speakers like Cagayan de Oro Mayor Constantino "Tinnex" Jaraula  who welcomed the delegates to the summit, US Embassy Chief of Mission Leslie Bassett who represented the US Ambassador to the Philippines, Kristie Kenney (who sent her greetings through a video),  Atty. Adel Tamano, and Agusan Lone District Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza.

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Atty. Adel Tamano won the attendees’ hearts with his enigmatic presence, engaging talk on leadership and palpable sincerity as he reached out to each one in the room. For the showbiz-inclined, you may know him as Dr. Vicky Belo’s lawyer and the face on Belo’s Ads along EDSA that say “Smart is the New Sexy.” The first Filipino-Muslim scholar of Harvard Law School who gave the validectory address during graduation certainly has a lot more going than good looks. His anti- corruption leadership model as President of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) won me over more than his enviably clear skin ,which was the first thing I noticed (pardon the beauty blogger in me speaking).

[caption id="attachment_1381" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Agusan Lone District Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza"][/caption]

Through videos, Senator Kiko Pangilinan and Liberal Party Senatorial Candidate Neric Acosta extended their inspirational messages to all bloggers and expressed their regrets for not making it to event personally.

Victor Sapar encouraged us to join  Iblog for Peace, a site that aggregates blogs, videos and podcasts of anyone's view on peace.

The afternoon session started with Google’s Philippine Representative, Ms. Aileen Apolo giving the talk on “Blogging for Beginners.” It amazed us to know that she only spends 5-10 minutes each day updating her various blogs. Digital Filipino’s Ms. Janette Toral spoke on blog marketing techniques, an area which I admittedly suck at.  Lyle Santos sparked interests on bloggers who wanted to make money online with his google adsense expertise.

Updates from Mindanao bloggers were given by representatives of each city: Avel "Sexy Bariles" Manansala of Gen San,  Jaime Haw, Jr. of Davao City, Edward Ragpala of CDO, and Ryan Elumba of Zamboanga, where the 2010 Mindanao Bloggers' Summit will be held.  Interestingly, Davao’s Jim Haw is likewise a doctor who trained in Radiology before he decided to quit residency, which leaves me wondering what’s in Radiology that prompts its ex-residents to pursue blogging. Uh, radioactive ideas, perhaps?

[caption id="attachment_1382" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="My Husband and His Lucky Phone"][/caption]

Migs Hipolito was the emcee who kept the atmosphere fun and lively. In between breaks, prizes were given out. I got a cool SMART Communications Netbook bag for publishing the press release of MBS3 on this blog. Alvin Tan from Manila won a 1st Rafting Adventures freebie. Other giveaways were convention shirts, Wordpress and Firefox buttons, Make Your Own Havaianas cellphone pendants and the most coveted Nokia  Ovi cellphones, one of which my husband luckily snagged during the raffle. Other sponsors who made the event possible were: UltraCraft, Syntactics, Majesty Sales Center, Clara's Shoppe, MakatiAve.com, Asterisk Event and Communications and Loreto's Bar and Grill.

Congratulations to the hosts of this year's MBS- the CDO Bloggers, headed by Chiq Montes,  and Bloggie Robillo for uniting bloggers from Mindanao and everyone behind the success of the event.

After capping off the summit, we were set to attend the Philippine Blog Awards 2009 Mindanao leg an hour after. Who were the most influential Mindanao Bloggers and how did it feel accepting the trophy for the 1^st best beauty blog award? Find out on my next post.