When I launched the gerryruiz photoblog on September 25, 2007, I only had the faintest idea of what “blogging” was really about, nothing much except that it was a web log – some sort of a journal.
And I thought to myself, hey, wouldn’t it be nice to post photos in lieu of a diary-type journal? It would also serve as a repository for my budding digital photo files – photos taken with a point & shoot Sony Cybershot (and a good back-up in case my drive crashes again!)
I had no idea then where it would lead me to, nor did I expect that the passion on photography would eventually consume me in due time…
The photoblog also served as an outlet for me for the creative itchiness I would feel time and again. I was simply posting at will with no regularity at all – only when I felt like it and when something would come up which I thought would be interesting to share with my small circle of internet friends.
Hence, when Eric Dee, aka Byahilo – an established and known blogger based in Manila – urged me last June to join him and attend the Visayas Blogging Summit set for end of November in Iloilo City, my interest was rekindled. It was a chance for me to get to know more what blogging really is about and how the more established and known Filipino bloggers do it.
A planned historical and cultural tour around Iloilo during the summit was the clincher! Great photo ops!
Hence I booked early to avail of cheaper airfares and had my mind set on attending the Visayas Blogging Summit in Iloilo on Nov 27 & 28.
And so the time finally came – I flew to Iloilo last Friday, November 26 for the Visayas Blogging Summit.
The whole day summit was held at Cinema 2 inside Iloilo’s SM City. Had the chance to meet fellow bloggers from Iloilo, Bacolod, Roxas, Cebu and some coming from Manila. Great time comparing notes and having extended exchange of ideas!
(Above) Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog delivers his welcome address
Marie Claire Bretaña Ponsaran, president of Iloilo Bloggers, Inc.
A performer of the Dinagyang Festival during the Opening Ceremonies.
And the topics and resource speakers were pretty cool!
- “Blogging 102: I have a blog. Now what?” handled by Aileen Apolo
- “Blogging Advocay” by Flowell Galindez.
- “Social Media and Citizenshp: Elections and Beyod” by Tonyo Cruz
- “Role of Bloggers as New Media” by Ria Jose
- “Blogging Ethics: What’s Hot and What’s Not” by Jayvee Fernandez
- “Selling the Best of the Philippines through Blogging” by Estan Cabigas
- “How can we Protect our Intellectual Property Rights?” by Anton Sheker
- “Impact of Blogs and Social Networking Sites to Businesses” by Janette Toral
- “101 Ways of Earning Money through Blogging” by Fitz Villafuerte
- “Internet Governance: Implications & Opportunities” by Blogie Robillo
- “Why Visayans should Blog” by Lloyd Tronco
Above: Aileen Apolo
Flowell Galindez
Tonyo Cruz
Ria Jose
Estan Cabigas
Anton Sheker
Janette Toral
Fitz Villafuerte
Blogie Robillo
Lloyd Tronco
Capping the day’s lectures was the Philippine Blog Awards Visayas – a much waited yearly awarding event held to recognize the best blogs in the Visayas region! And, oh, did I mention I was among the nominees for the Best Photo Blog category??? 
We all trooped to The Venue for the announcement of winners and the awarding ceremonies…
(From left) Estan Cabigas, Blogie Robillo, Jayvee Fernandez, Fitz Villafuerte and Anton Sheker
Juned Sonido of the Philippine Blog Awards
And the winners are… (drumroll)…
- Best culture and arts blog: Michael’s Shades of Blue
- Best food and beverage blog: Flavours of Iloilo
- Best lifestyle blog: Ilonggos.net
- Best tech blog: Tech Source
- Best personal blog: The Rookie Blogger
- Best travel blog: Ambot-ah
- Best photo blog: gerryruiz photoblog
Whew! Blew me away! What a way to cap the day!
Thank you, thank you all!
View hi-res photo gallery & slideshow >>>
keep it up sir gerry!! I was really hoping na ang idol ko in photography ang manalo as best photo blog!
ika nga ni BYAHILO…. IKAW NA! (meaning ikaw na ang meh hawak ng titolo!)
Hahaha! Thanks for the encouraging words! Even if I don’t get the hits you guys get in your blogs, ok na sakin yun!
congrats! great pics and great blog!
Thanks, Noel!
na te-teary eyed ako pag binabasa ko tong post mo! haha you really deserve to win the award. see you at the 2011 VBS! I hope someday tacloban na din mag host!
hahaha kasalanan mo kasi, eh! Thanks for the encouragement and the inspiration!
Nice to meet you po! Your camera is awesome!
Thank you, Aileen! Pleasure’s mine! Thanks for sharing with us your experience in the blogging and internet scenes.
Thank you Gerry for the great coverage. Congratulations to all the organizers and supporters of this event.
My handout can be accessed at http://www.slideshare.net/janettetoral/impact-of-blogs-and-social-networking-sites-to-businesses-visayas-blogging-summit
Welcome, Janette. Thank YOU for sharing with us your thoughts & ideas during the summit – really meant something to me.
Appreciate it much!
Congratulations po!
Let’s keep in touch. Looking forward to more great things from Tacloban and Eastern Visayas,
Thanks, Tonyo! Sayang, didn’t get the chance to talk to you again and pick on your brains hehe. Yeah, will keep in touch! Thanks again!
yehey… thanks sa good news!!!
Really good blog.
Congratulations!
Thank you, ma’am!
Wow Sir Gerry! Congratulations!
Salamat po!
Congratulations! Keep shooting.
Thanks, Bert!
Aba, congrats gid, gerry!
Salamat gid hin madamo!
Congratulations hin duro, Gerry! It would have been nice to see you. I was at SM City Friday but not at the Blogging Summit.
Thank you! The summit was held Saturday, Nov. 27.
When I was at the Blog awards, I was really ecstatic for a photo op w/ your Sir. hehe Bute nlng pinagbigyan nyo ko. Congrats po! And keep the photos coming!
Hey, the pleasure’s mine! Thank you, too!
Hi po!
My blog, “Michael’s Shades of Blue” was nominated and in fact, won the “Best Culture and Arts” blog although unfortunately, I failed to attend the awarding for two reasons:
1. I am in Saudi, and
2. I did not receive any invitation.
I knew that I won’t be able to come even if I received an invitation. But then, I could have sent a proxy… Too bad, no one represented me there, and I did not even know I won until a friend had chanced upon http://asiancorrespondent.com/tonyo-cruz-blog/winners-of-the-2010-philippine-blog-awards-visayas and told me everything.
With your blog, I got the picture of how the awarding went on and felt like I was there…
However, another question came up to me: Who received my award??? Did someone came up and received it?
I wrote PBA about this but until now, I still have to receive a reply. I am very happy and proud to have received my first blog award. But where is my trophy?
Anyway, salamat sa imong blog…. and Congratulations po!
-Michael Juha-
“Michael’s Shades of Blue”
Hi Michael!
Congratulations!
Cheers!
In most likelihood, your award is still with the Iloilo Bloggers, Inc., the organizer of the event. I would therefore suggest you contact them directly by googling Visayas Blogging Summit.
gerryruiz
Idol Gerry!
Congratulations for winning the newly varnished, wifi-ready netbook.
Hehehe thanks, Alvin. They forgot to install OS & apps!
Congratulations Mano Gerry….
Proud Waraynon….Keep it up!!
Damo nga salamat, Edmond!
I really like your blog and i really appreciate the excellent quality content you are posting here for free for your online readers. thanks peace claudia.