A First For Baguio's Growing Community Of Bloggers

It's been a privilege being a part of the first ever Baguio Blog Conference. Last May 19, 2012, a bunch of Cordillera bloggers put together an event that will hopefully help establish a robust blogging community in Baguio City and the Cordillera region in general. Dubbed The First Baguio Blog Conference, the event featured several talks by bloggers from within Baguio and outside of it. Several speakers came all the way from Manila to impart their knowledge on what it takes to become an effective and no-nonsense blogger.

[photo:Dean/watwatworld]

Looking back, I cannot seem to find a rather accurate trail of how I ended up becoming a blogger. However, I knew where the trail started. My own journey into the blogosphere began when I was a not-so-ambitious student within the confines of Saint Louis University. Diego Silang Building, where the College of Accountancy and Commerce used to be located was my second home. I was studying Accounting, a course I absolutely despised yet enjoyed for the challenges it forced upon me. Silang Building was an institution in itself where Conrado Valix is god and a scientific calculator is your most reliable friend.

Facebook wasn't globally available back then. Mark Zuckerberg was still messing with his social network within the walls of Harvard. The social media scene still had Friendster as its ruler. At least, as far as the Asia-Pacific region is concerned because North America and the United kingdom were going all gaga with MySpace. MySpace wasn't too popular in this part of the world so I stuck with Friendster which has become a really crappy gaming site today. Friendster had this feature where you can sort of create an online diary – Friendster blogs. That's where I got started. That's where I learned what a blog is. That's where I wrote my first blog post.

Finding myself among fellow Baguio bloggers and our counterparts from Manila, I say that I've come quite a long way. I never expected to see myself last this long in the blogosphere. Most people quit after a blog post or two. I persevered and here I am.

Here we are, trying to create a spark that we are hoping will ignite a fire and turn folks into bloggers. The First Baguio Blog Conference created such spark, there's no question about that. Now, let us all just wait and see if it will ignite a fire. If things go our way. As planned. As expected.

[photo:Dean/watwatworld]

I noticed that most of the attendees of the conference were students. I heard that several of them are writers for college publications like Saint Louis' White and Blue. I see this as more of a positive than a negative. These students are this city's future bloggers. What separates them from the rest is that they are more likely to blog in order to express themselves and hammer on things they are actually passionate about, not to pursue other agendas.

In blogging, passion is the key to effectiveness and providing value. If you are passionate about something, you know how to talk about it. And the more you know how to talk about something, the more value you can churn out of it.

However, having mere passion won't just cut it. You have to have the skills to push that passion forward. By skills, I mean you should know how to put your blog together and maximize your audience. Search engine optimization. Social media marketing. Community networking. These are just a few of those skills you need to get your blog in front of the right people.

I would not go as far to call myself a successful blogger. Because I AM NOT. I'm a hundred miles away from it. Besides, it really depends on what you understand by the word success. Does it mean getting a thousand unique blog visitors a day? Does it mean getting a payout from Adsense every month? Does it mean getting recognized by a community for what you publish in your blog? Does it mean getting 250 comments on a single blog post? Each and everyone of us have our own definition of success. For some, having a blog set up is in itself a form of success. SUCCESS is a super-broad term.

 

[photo:Dean/watwatworld]

Why Do We Blog?
Blogging started as nothing but the online version of a paper journal. A digital page where you write about what you ate in a restaurant, what you did last vacation, what you watched on TV, what it felt like watching your baby take her first walking steps. It has however evolved into something with “business” written all over it. Let's face it, the most successful bloggers are those who created businesses out of their blogs. Huffington Post. TechCrunch. Mashable. To name a few. These blogs have grown so big that they now employ legions of bloggers.

Listening to the speakers during the First Baguio Blog Conference, you can see most of the reasons why people blog. To build an online reputation. To make money. To share. To communicate with like-minded people. To chronicle their travels. To educate. The list goes on. That's an amalgam of reasons. In short, blogging is a “do your own thing” thing.

The conference was a great start. A great start to things that are hopefully even greater. Cheers!!!

[photo:Dean/watwatworld]

The First Baguio Blog Conference wouldn't have been possible without the following organizers, speakers and sponsors:

Organizers: 
Vincent: http://lakbaybaguio.com/
Katherine: http://www.katherinepe.com/
Ane: http://www.diaryofane.com/ 
Dean: http://watwatworld.com/
Joven: http://www.travextravels.com/
Yam: http://www.yamdangla.com/
Emil: http://asiong32.blogspot.com/

Speakers:
Janette Toral: http://www.digitalfilipino.com/
Antonio Caranzza Jr.: http://www.pusangkalye.net/
Fitz Villafuerte: http://fitzvillafuerte.com/
Azrael Coladilla: http://www.azraelsmerryland.blogspot.com/
Florencio Jusay Jr.: http://www.manualtolyf.info/
Dean Cuanso: http://www.watwatworld.com/
Ane Fallarme: http://www.milkcerealsandchips.com/
Joven Chico: http://www.travextravels.com/

Sponsors: 
Smart
Azalea Residences
Unilab
Sun Cellular
University of Baguio
Solid Hosting Ph
Kubong Sawali
18BC Music Lounge

A Poem By Pen And Paper

"Where are the Igorots, where? 

Who they say wears G-strings flaunting their buttocks, 

While painting the town red literally with “muma”? 

All I can see are finely dressed good looking men and women, 

With sturdy feet that flaunts their uniqueness from commons."

- a stanza from Pen and Paper's "Where Are The Igorots"

I'm a Politician, Therefore I'm Rich

A headline on the May 13, 2012 issue of the Baguio Midland Courier proclaims “Vergara is Richest of CAR Solons”. The guy got 48.782 million PESOS under his name. And we're talking about a net worth here padle. To put it simply, the dude is rich. His stash is the biggest among the Cordillera's congressmen. Ifugao representative Teodoro Baguilat has the smallest stash with 2.118 million PESOS. It's funny how the BMC article referred to him as “the poorest” congressman. Dude's got a couple of million to his name. You don't get to call somebody with a couple of million bucks poor?

It's not that there's anything wrong with being a politician and being rich at the same time. But you know how it is like in this country. Year after year, we are making it to the list of the most corrupt countries in the world. It doesn't matter where this country ranks in the list. First, fourth, fifteenth, it doesn't matter. Ours is a corrupt nation. Period. So it's damn easy for the “citizens” to think and believe that they are being screwed by those who call themselves “public servants”. Just watch the evening news on TV. Holy cow dung. Every time politicians are on the news, they are either impeaching or accusing each other for corruption.

This reminds me of something. What's the name of that politician who was crying out loud because congressmen in Pinoy movies are always portrayed as sleek haired agents of corruption. Congressmen in the movies are merciless scumbags, they have private armies, they look like goons. Sometimes, they look gooner than their goons. Douchebags. To that politician being pissed off by these portrayals, Y U MAD BRO?

This is not to say that Vergara, Cosalan, Bernos, Dalog, etc. got their millions from the “kaban ng bayan”. Maybe they did. Maybe they didn't. We do not know. Only them know. Let's hope it's the latter.

Disclaimer: This article had been republished on the Saving Baguio website (savingbaguio.tk). I am not nor is this blog connected/affiliated/associated with Saving Baguio.

Igorot Paintings for Sale

Click here to view the original listing on ayosdito.ph.

Save 182 Vs SM Baguio: War of the Stores?

Conrado R. Banal III, a columnist for the Philippine Daily Inquirer has written a piece today (May 16, 2012) that you will find either outrageous or interesting depending on your stand on the SM Baguio issue. What Banal implied in his article is that the Save 182 group aren't actually fighting for the trees, they are fighting for Baguio stores (SM's competitors). Banal is basically saying that Save 182 is a group fighting SM disguising itself as an environmental group.

Here's a quote from the article:

But is the environment the real reason behind the noise over those 182 trees?
From what I heard, some astute business groups could be behind the so-called protest. One name, whose family is associated with a chain of retail establishments, was mentioned rather frequently in the rallies. The leaders never failed to thank, profusely, the same person for some valuable donation to the protest groups now tagged by media as the 182 Group.

If you ask me, these claims by Banal are just outrageous. He's got a few interesting points but I just don't see Save 182 as a "bayarang grupo". 

Follow the link below to read the full article  by Banal.
http://business.inquirer.net/59871/store-wars-attack-of-the-clowns

Michael Bengwayan Being Recognized By Reader's Digest As An Environmental Hero: Is It True?

On April 30, 2012, ABS-CBN's Bandila aired a news report about Michael Bengwayan being heralded by Reader's Digest as an Environmental Hero. In ABS-CBN's news website, the video of the report had the following blurb accompanying it:

"Itinanghal ang environmentalist na si Dr. Michael Bengwayan bilang Environmental Hero ng international magazine na Reader's Digest ngayong taon. Siya ang nakadiskubre ng alternatibo sa LPG, nagdala ng Macadamia sa Baguio at iba pang halamang tumutubo lang sa ibang bansa, at isa sa mga nangunguna sa pakikipaglaban para sa environmental issues sa Baguio. Ang astig na environmentalist sa pagba-Bandila ni Maira Wallis."

Bengwayan has been honored by an influential international magazine as an environmental hero. Save 182 celebrated. Links to the video were shared and reshared on Facebook (and probably on Twitter) by supporters of the group. Save 182 is the group that is on the forefront of the movement opposing SM Baguio's expansion plans which will affect the survival of nearly 200 trees. The leaders of Save 182 include Karlo Marko Altomonte, Cheryl Yangot, Bishop Carlito Cenzon and of course Dr. Michael Bengwayan. It's partly because of them that Save 182 has the strength that it has today.

However, the report about Reader's Digest's recognition of Bengwayan as an environmental hero is now a huge question mark. Grace Bandoy, out of curiosity contacted Maricarl Garcia who works for Reader's Digest about the report. Bandoy posted a screenshot of Garcia's response on Facebook along with her own take on the issue. The full image is republished below (w/ permission from Bandoy). 

The response from Reader's Digest is clear. There was a misunderstanding. Dr. Bengwayan was never officially recognized by the magazine as their Environmental Hero. At least not yet. There's a line in the response about an interview not having pushed through. Has it been rescheduled? Will Bengwayan be still a part of the mentioned HEROES issue? Nobody knows. But as of this time, Reader's Digest is clearly stating that they haven't recognized Bengwayan as an environmental hero as ABS-CBN reported. The magazine is even mulling of a retraction statement.

[UPDATE]: It’s confirmed. Dr. Bengwayan has not been voted or awarded a Reader’s Digest Asia Environmental Hero award. In a statement on their Facebook Page, RD Asia has the following to say:

"Contrary to reports, Dr Bengwayan has not been voted or awarded a Reader's Digest Asia Environmental Hero award. In fact, we have no such awards programme currently or planned.

Earlier this year Dr Bengwayan was interviewed by a freelance writer working on a project for Reader's Digest Asia magazine. That interview has not been used and is not scheduled for publication."

So this all comes down to faulty and inaccurate reporting by ABS-CBN News Baguio.

The media has the responsibility to check their facts before they feed them through the channels. ABS-CBN lost grip on that responsibility when they blindly reported on something that isn't based on facts and reputable sources. Was it too hard to give the Reader's Digest Philippine offices a call? Grace Bandoy was able to easily communicate with the magazine. How come that ABS-CBN didn't even seem to try? The Save 182 vs SM Baguio is a very sensitive matter. In the struggle, people are getting hurt both emotionally and physically. One small wrong information can cause bigger problems. Problems wherein the burden will be held by the receivers of the wrong information, not by those who disseminated it.

As to Michael Bengwayan, he is an environmental hero. Whether he is recognized by Reader's Digest or not, he is behind an advocacy that is beneficial to the city. He is doing something that most of us are either too lazy or too scared to do. He is passionate about his work. He is driven. I believe that he is truly fighting for the betterment of Baguio. I've followed his articles and his blogs. Sometimes, I don't agree with his ideas or his methods of protest but I look up to him. This city needs more people like him. 

I disagree with Bengwayan on a lot of things. I also disagree with some of the ways that Save 182 conducts itself. But we are all hitting on the same nail, albeit we are using different hammers. We are all for a better Baguio. At the end of the day, that is all that really matters.

I've conversed with people who have varying takes on Bengwayan's motives. Some say he is just a kulang-sa-pansin guy. That he is hitting on SM as a publicity stunt. Some would say he is probably planning on becoming a politician and he's using the Save 182 movement to build his “name brand”. These are of course theories. People are entitled to their opinions as they say. I can't read Begwayan's mind. I don't know if he's fame-hungry. I don't know if he's planning to become a politician. All that I know of him is what he's doing NOW. And that is fighting for the trees, fighting for the environment, fighting for Baguio City. Things that every Baguio resident should be doing.

Lesson from the story: Don’t believe everything that you see and hear from the media. Be a practitioner of critical thinking.

Bontoc Jeepney Accident

I can only find two news articles regarding the jeepney accident that happened in Bontoc yesterday (Sunday, May 13). One from GMA News and one from the Inquirer website. The two stories have different details. GMA says the fatalities were 11 while Inquirer says it's 18.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council website is down so I can't access their report about the accident.

Here are the names of the fatalities as reported by GMA:

• Sherleene Benis
• Mary Anne Camfoli
• Chuwarey Arokod
• Jonalyn Sallongen
• Teresa Aronchay
• Chagon Chamkas
• Adelene Domakyon
• Helen Lachika
• Chanda Chamkas
• Delia Sumilao, and
• Melvin Aronchay.

Here are the names of those injured and brought to the Bontoc District Hospital:

• Jessica Sumilao, 10
• Myrna Lapa-an, 23
• Isagani Falisong, 13
• Zenia Maskay, 14
• Luisa Waking, 34
• Raquel Lapa-an, 21
• Jacqueline Baganan, 48
• Abraham Mang-osan
• Jane Falisong, 33, and
• Stevensol Paraan

According to the reports, the jeepney which was carrying about 30 people feel off a ravine that's about 100-150 meters deep. The jeep was reportedly on it's way home to Dalican, Bontoc when the accident happened.

[Update]: ABS-CBN is saying that Antonio Dulawan, the driver of the jeepney escaped while GMA is saying that he is under the custody of the police.

[Update]: Here's an updated report from ABS-CBN: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/05/14/12/11-die-jeep-plunges-mt-province-ravine

*This article will be edited as more updates come in.