Thoughts on Philippine blogging
I attended the first Philippine Blog Awards awarding ceremonies last night at the RCBC Plaza in Makati. As a finalist, I am allowed to bring along a guest so I asked Ayeen to come with me, right after our semender ‘picnic’ at the La Mesa Dam ecopark.
It was my first time to attend any bloggers’ event, convention or gathering. I felt quite uneasy at first, especially since everyone else seem to have already acquainted themselves well with each other. It’s quite an insecurity of mine. Unlike many of the notable and well-linked bloggers now, I’m probably one of the few who barely gets to comment on other people’s blogs. And it’s not because I’m a snob, as I’ve heard somewhere, I do lurk around all your blogs, but my lack of online correspondence is really just a function of me being very very preoccupied with various things offline. Hehe.
I didn’t win the best personal blog award, Shari Cruz of Misteryosa.com did. She’s a fellow Mass Comm student in UP Diliman, and a fellow “activist” though she has apparently retired from it. Congratulations to you, Shari. Congratulations too to Ederic of Ederic @ Cyberspace for winning the Pinoy Ako blog award. He’s a online friend who’s also from UP Mass Comm. Congratulations too to my Upsilon brod, Ivan Henares of Ivan About Town, who won the best travel blog award. Congratulations to all the winners! I’m sorry I don’t memorize all of your names and URLs, I’m sure everyone’s links are in the PBA website anyway.
Congratulations to the event’s organizers. Everything seemed to have went very well. It was also nice to finally meet for the first time the people behind all those notable blogs. Hindi na lang ako magne-name drop para walang magtampo kung nalimutan ko as of the moment and URL or name. Hehe.
So, my thoughts. My attendance in the blog awards simply reinforced what I believe the situation of the ‘blogosphere’ is. Almost all bloggers in the Philippines today are still middle class and upper class urban Filipinos, most of whom are in Manila. And in lieu of the facts that the Philippines is a largely rural country, and a vast majority of Filipinos are still without internet access, I honestly believe that this so-called “Philippine blogosphere”, (and this may run in contrast to how other present Filipino bloggers perceive things), is barely Philippine or Filipino at all. With our pride and energy as bloggers, should also come the humility of realizing that “we” bloggers are not that much relevant. NOT YET, at least. I don’t even think the internet will play much of a role in the upcoming local and national elections without our dependence on mainstream media. This passion and hobby of ours is still a very ‘burgis’ preoccupation, really. But this should not stop us from pursuing greater relevance and inclusive reach.
For now, I still dream for a more dynamic and representative blogosphere that showcases in as much as it exposes the common Filipino’s life and the real Philippine situation. And for the mean time, present bloggers like me, and you who’s reading this now, should continue blogging, reading blogs, aspire for better things to come, and do something (aside from blogging) about the things around us.
[POST-SCRIPT, 20:44] I did not bring my bulky camera with me to the event, so I had no pictures to show. Fortunately, there were tens of other bloggers with their photo equipment that night. I was able to snatch two photos here, one from Chris Haravata of In Retrospect… and Karla Redor of Rockersworld.com.
hi, bikoy. pinromote ni ynna sa’kin ang blog mo.nice!:) kelan ka pa naging Upsilonian? so… Brods pala kayo ni Chito.:D
ahihihi nakita kita nung blog awards, kyalang ambilis mo maglakad magpapa kodak sana ako. bwahaha
May I invite you to my feature story on the Blog Awards? Names and URLs included; with this, now you have mine.
Four words, Bikoy.
You should have won. =(
Maybe in 5-10 years. That’s one of what we were talking about a couple of hours ago.
hi bikoy! i was there at the blog awards too! ang cute mo with your immaculate white shirt and tie! you should smile more often though…
nahiya lang akong lumapit sa isang celeb blogger like yourself. love, your fan — migs.
hayaan mo bikoy hihikayatin natin ang masang blogista ng sambayanang pilipinas na mas maging aktibo. tama ka ituloy natin ang ating mga nasimulan hindi lang para sa pansariling kapakanan kundi para na rin sa bayan
ayos ba? 
I smell sedition.
Hmm, I guess I wouldn’t say the Philippine blogosphere is “barely” Filipino. It IS Filipino - just not very representative of Filipinos all over the country. At least that’s what I think
Congrats on the nomination, though
Glad to have met you last night as I lurk your blog occasionally. To have a dynamic and well represented blogosphere needs reliable and affordable internet connection.Government plans to make the internet accessible to the provinces especially VoIP technology. There is the barangay program to install a satellite and provide reasonable rates. I have not updated myself on the progress of these technologies. A lot of filipinos still use the internet cafe to go online as it is the more affordable means. Around less than 300,000 filipinos use broadband internet. Internet connection is relatively expensive for most filipinos.
In the meantime, the present mix of bloggers can pave the way for quality content so that when the time comes, these future bloggers have an idea on their blog niches.
ATHENA: oi athena. kumusta. oo, since feb. hehe. ittext na lang kita kung anuman meron
HENEROSO: sayang naman. dapat tinawag mo pangalan ko. mahiyain din kasi ako. hehe
FRANK: sure
SHARI: ano ka ba, be happy with your win! with or without any awards naman we’ll all go on and blog. your award is a simple reward for your efforts
PINOYBLOGOSPHERE: ayos!
MIGS: you shouldve said hi! btw, i emailed you a longer reply
BENJ: lol. mahilig ka sa isyu :p
MARS: thanks for your input and congratulations
NOEMI: I agree. the present limitation/exclusivity of philippine blogging is really just a manifestation of larger situations in our country.
Just a thought, are there bloggers who think that they’re THAT relevant? Ummm… They might need professional help if they honestly believe that. I think the whole ‘blog influence’ theory is vastly overrated. Hordes of bloggers couldn’t even push Howard Dean better than a dismal and far third place finish in the Democratic Party nomination process.
It was nice to meet you Bikoy. I didn’t know you were that short. Wehehehe. Kidding. Don’t hurt meeeee.
BENJ: you also don’t know how mean i can get…
congrats po sa lahat.
actually, isa rin ako sa mga bloggers who will feel insecurity gaya ng naramdaman mo if I was there in that awards night. tumaas man ang popularity ng blog ko but I don’t still have friends from the blogosphere except Yuga who owns the hosting company na naghost ng blog ko….
anyway, we still have time to change our style.
Although si Shari nanalo congrats pa din bro. Your site is as great as hers. Cool nga ng suot mo kagabi, parang hindi ka tibak! lol.
boss! nice meeting you last nite. sabihin mo kay ayeen may blog na rin sya regularly ahehehe
next time naman!
woooh. your blogging has come a long way though.
You are my favorite blogger.
same with Heneroso, I’ve seen you at the awards night and at the after party.
With regards to the Philippine Blogosphere, a lot of blogs kept springing out since they’re bored with summer. Some of these (not pointing anybody) were actually senseless, a bit retard, but well - deserve minutes of scanning.
And as you have said..
True. But at least, Bulacan could be reached by the Internet.
we love you
even if you didn’t win, I STILL LOVE YOU bikoy.
epal ka tagaCAL girl.
hihi. yun lang mssbe ko. *pang-asar look* hihi :p
mwah!
blogging = one of a nerd/loser’s favorite hobby.
Asim naman ng comment sa taas! Pabongkang ka nga sa bakla, chos!
Anyway, gusto ko rin sanang magpa-picture sa ‘yo kaya lang hindi kita mahagilap (at puno na pala ang digicam ko’t wala akong ma-delete…kainissss).
Salamat sa dalaw nga pala. Natuwa ketch, kahit hindi ka nag-comment (hmpf! charito!).
BIKOY: ayan, nag-comment na ‘ko ha. hehe
[…] Lumabas sa GMANews.tv ang report tungkol sa Bloggies, at may “thoughts on Philippine blogging” entry sa blog niya si Bikoy. […]
astig! kahit na hindi nagwagi, wagi ka pa rin. Hehe. Ayos na ang maraming bumibisita sa blog mo at least reward na yan.
Go bikoy.net!
BIKOY: salamat hyro. kita-kits pagdating mo sa bago mong kolehiyo!
it’s ok, next time sama ka sa amin ni Shari sa kakavolunteer sa blogging events,,haha! I remember you, ikaw lang yung smiling face na naalala ko upon rgistration
BIKOY: hi liz. syempre bilang ikaw ang nasa reg table, isa ka rin sa mga una kong natatandaan. sige, subukan kong makatulong sa susunod na pagkakataon.
The controversy engine is now chugging! haha. It was only a matter of time.
BIKOY: you saw it coming naman, and you have full grasp of your stand. you can handle it.
Bikoy, nice to finally meet you personally! Brod mo pala bandmate ko, si Don S, kasama yata nya si Ivan nung awards, nakausap ko sila sa phone eh. =)
BIKOY: hi markku. nice to meet you personally too!
i saw you too at the blog awards and at the afterparty. i’m with the gang of heneroso. i’m glad seeing a famous blogger there!
congrats being one of the finalist, nab it next time from shari.
BIKOY: Thanks billycoy. I hope to get to know you better on the next bloggers’ convention/gathering/whatever. Hehe
Ah, ikaw pala yung blogger behind Bikoy.net. It’s nice to know the faces behind the blogs.
Congratulations for being a finalist. Who knows, you might get the trophy next year. Me, I’m fine with the iPod ha ha ha!
BIKOY: Hi Arbet. I’ve actually been following your blog for some time now, ever since the Gloria Garci tapes scandal. Anyway, you do know how envious a lot of the PBA attendees of your win? Hehe
Being in the finalist is a great achievement already. Thanks again for doing the interview.
You may not have won this year, but there’s always next year.
BIKOY: Thanks, Jhay. It was a pleasure answering your survey. It was a great idea to do it, actually. Keep it up.
@Bikoy - Hi! I hope you don’t think that bloggers are irrelevant. We are relevant! Very much so that the other parts of the industry are recognizing the importance of blogs. That’s the main reason why I helped out in the Philippine Blog Awards, to show our support to the community. There is a bigger picture and it may take time, but I am sure it will all tie-up together especially with the support and help of Pinoys like you.
BIKOY: Hi Aileen. Yea, I understand. I was just thinking, relevant to whom? Just among oursleves (as bloggers)? To just a sector of the small Filipino internet users? To a few business establishments? I am perhaps seeking relevance to a greater number of Filipinos, in light of so many issues in our country. Perhaps I was seeking to deflate our collective ego as a community, because some of us dare call ourselves THE Philippine blogosphere, THE new media as if we are that capable of effecting change in our society, some of us think that we are the new breed of opinion leaders that can sway popular sentiments. We need a little humility and reality check here. Within a reality that an overwhleming majority don’t even have regular internet access, I believe we are not relevant. for now, at least.
@Empress Maruja - Aliw ako sa iyo!
Grabe ka na lang BIKOY, dami mong naachieve..ituloy-tuloy mo lan yan….bright future ang nakikita ko for you…achieve lang nang achieve…
It’s nice to hear you were reading my blog, thanks.
I was made aware by Jayvee or somebody else that some people might do an ambush after I got the iPod, so I did the most sensible thing - went home immediately. Missed the post-awards party, what a bummer.
Linked your blog. I hope you don’t mind.
My further thoughts are too long to put in here. You can visit my new blogsite dedicated to blogs:
The BlogFather
On effecting change in our country Bikoy, yes we are! Would the Malaysian government issue a statement not to trust blogs if bloggers aren’t that influential? I remember my blog being quoted in a national daily without me knowing it which is why I’m extra careful with what I write in the blog. I make sure when I rant about or lambast something or someone, I have documents with me to back me up.
BIKOY: [emphasis mine]
p.s. While the overwhelming majority don’t have regular internet access, most policy makers and mainstream media do. So what you say can sway public opnion through them.
BIKOY: Exactly.. Blogging is still heavily dependent on mainstream media to be “relevant” or influential.
Upsilon brod? Does that mean you’re in a fraternity?
Just a bit out of character if you really are.
I used the Malaysian government as an example that bloggers are a potent force. And Malaysian bloggers are also heard around their country because mainstream media follow what they are saying. So they are “relevant” because of mainstream media too.
Check out this post of Abe: and
Check out this post of Abe: Blogging is a privilege, not a right
i was sitting right next to shari when you and your friend left. the scene went something along the lines of:
jeff: shari, si bikoy ba yun?
shari: oo
jeff: kilala mo sya? *hampas sa muka ni shari* bakit di mo ko pinakilala! gusto ko ng picture!
shari: next time
BIKOY: hahaha!! sige sige sa susunod
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