The Philippine Blog Awards '09 Mindanao

The 2009 Philippine Blog Awards Mindanao leg was held shortly after the 3rd Mindanao Bloggers Summit on the same venue- at the Pearlmont Hotel, Cagayan de Oro.

It was a long day. I had only 2 hours of sleep the night prior because of some deadlines I had to work on. I could easily opt to curl up in bed right after the summit but I just couldn't afford to miss the PBA Night. It was a rare opportunity to accept the trophy for the Best Beauty Blog Award which was announced in Manila 2 weeks before the Mindanao leg. All along, I was thinking that claiming my precious trophy would take place off the stage. When CDO Bloggers President Chiq Montes came up to me, she said that winners of the nationwide categories had to prepare an acceptance speech. Like an ice cold water that was suddenly poured over my head, it snapped me out of lethargy. I could only blurt out to myself "Crap... But I don't do speeches?!?"

The spotlight-loving theater artist in me stopped adoring the stage after high school. Speaking in public has been a tummy-somersaulting activity for me afterwards. It probably had to do with endorsements, grand rounds and (tor)mentors scaring the hell out of us during med school. I stutter when nervous and puke before a presentation I haven't studied for.

What was more panic-inducing was my look for the occasion. I was dressed casually for the summit without considering my outfit for the awards night.

After all, I was expecting to be in the audience all throughout. I couldn't climb up the stage looking like the beauty blogger who doesn't practice what she preaches. Good thing I had extra clothes and shoes in the car. Putting out the NARS makeup palette from the bag, I worked some magic in an effort to restore some freshness into my exhausted, dried tuna look. With no makeup brushes, I used my hands in applying makeup. No breathtaking eye designs, no mascara, no "donyatic" hairstyle. Just the basics to help me pull through the night.

The dinner that was sponsored by the PBA have been sumptuous but my taste buds weren't working due to my perceived impending doom. The announcements of winners from Mindanao were even a blur until after I delivered the speech. It was a brief one, just a quick thank you speech to let them know I could talk. For the record, I didn't pass out on stage, slipped on stainless steel tiles nor puke before everyone. My blog title would have immediately changed to "The Doctor is Gross" had I lost my composure. My husband was my steady support throughout the day.

Thanks to the Philippine Blog Awards website, I could now share with you the list of the winners even if my memory was hazy that night:

WINNERS OF THE 2009 PHILIPPINE BLOG AWARDS – Mindanao

I. MAIN AWARDS (Nationwide Categories)
Best Business Blog – Negosyo Ideas
Mike Abonitalla

Best Beauty Blog – The Doctor Is vain
The Sissy Blogger With A Bad Case of Stage Fright

II. SPECIAL AWARDS

Mindanao Bloggers’ Choice
DavaoBase

Mindanao Advocacy Blog
Peace Initiatives in SOCSARGEN

Mindanao Destination Blog -
GenSan News Online Mag

Uniquely Mindanao Blog –
Hola Zamboanga

Globe Digital Tribe – Mindanao
angdabawenyo.com
mindanao.com
alleba.com/blog
riajose.com
migsmobile.net
gensantos.com
katherinevlara.com
lylesantos.com
ptlavina.wordpress.com
chiqmontes.com

Chikka Readers’ Choice

Gensan News Online Mag

Congratulations to all the winners and the people behind the Philippine Blog Awards, especially to the President, Mr. Juned Sonido for a job well done. May your efforts inspire more bloggers to raise the standards of blogging in this country. To Chiq Montes of the CDO Bloggers and Bloggie Robillo  of Mindanao Bloggers, congratulations for bringing the PBA '09 here in Cagayan de Oro. To all bloggers who attended the event, it was nice meeting all of you and I look forward to seeing you win the awards next year!

Here are some of the highlights captured through video by Zamboanga's Ryann Elumba: