For the very first time, I stepped in together with 200+ bloggers in Thunderbird Resorts in Binangonan, Rizal. Last year, I was able to stay for three days and three nights at Thunderbird Resorts Poro Point in San Fernando, La Union. I enjoyed my stay in the Santorini-like resort that’s why when Azrael asked me if i can be a speaker to the Bloggers Fest 2011 event, i immediately said yes! 😛

My topic for the Bloggers Fest 2011 is ‘Sharing Your Story Through Personal Blogging‘. It is a topic that I am comfortable with and to be honest, I created the slide a few hours before going to the bus pick-up point in Makati. I decided to keep it short and straightforward.

With me to the venue is my high school bestfriend Maire, whom i am pushing to be an active blogger since she writes well and she also takes good pictures. Sayang naman ang talent kung hindi mae-expose! 😛 I saw familiar faces in the pick-up point, but wow, there are so many newbies! It is a good sign for the Philippine Blogosphere. I think majority of them consider it as their first blog event ever. It means they really want to learn and explore on what’s out there.

We arrived in the Thunderbird Resorts Rizal Event Center a bit late. I saw some of my blogger friends and seeing the photobooth made me really smile. The venue is really nice that’s why i got nervous a bit. I also saw some of Thunderbird Resorts’ marketing staff like Nica and Jerico, whom i first met in Poro Point last year. They were busy preparing for the Extraordinary Video Contest Awarding. I would have joined if I was in the country during the contest duration. The prize is quite tempting. Lucky winner!

Instead of having the Extraordinary Video Contest Awarding first, the organizers decided to pursue with the buffet lunch first. I lack sleep so might as well compensate with food yumyum 😛

Now let’s go to the serious part of the day. The first speaker of the day is Azrael Colladilla, where he gave a lecture about the Basics of Blogging or Blogging 101. I observed that some of the attendees were taking down notes. I am the second speaker of the day and if i’m not mistaken, my talk lasted for 10-15 minutes only. Personal Blogging is something that I truly enjoy even if i branched out to different niches already. I see to it that there’s a personal touch in every entry i make (not unless if it is an advertorial hehe).

Azrael and I were being asked by some bloggers about random tips and one has something to do with the current controversy in the blogosphere. Instead, we diverted that part to Flowell, who hosted the show with Ohmski (these two can apply as stand-up comedians once they leave their current jobs LOL).

Jonel Uy talked about SEO and all the technical/money-making stuff related to blogging. SIR Anton Carranza Jr. of PusangKalye.net gave his own insights about Photoblogging. It’s only now that I found out that he used to work as an instructor… well, he works as an online tutor to Koreans now, but i am all praises when I was able to talk to one of her students. I also remember the first time I met Anton in November 2009, where he approached me during the iBlogMini when i discussed about Blogging 101. Now he’s one of the resource speakers. He is definitely on the right track as far as blogging is concerned 😀

Of course, we alloted extra time for the photo booth provided by BaiCapture:

Now the workshop part! The bloggers were divided into groups: Food, Events, Music and Photography. Where did I go? I went to the Photography session wherein the Young Photographers Philippines partner up with a blogger as their model. Cesar and I went supposedly as models. We ended up taking model-modelan pictures of ourselves LOL.

We went back to the venue and I went to Kuya Fitz’s table. He is selling some Pinoy Blogger shirts. Too bad I wasn’t able to get one because my shirt size is no longer available 😐 I’m quite excited for his new venture since three shirt designs will be released soon! They are Food Blogger, Tech Blogger and Travel Blogger. Nice! 😀

After more than an hour, the forum pushed through with four other speakers: Arvin Ello, Fitz Villafuerte, JP de Leon and Marlon Guzman. Too bad they had to rush with their discussions. At least they were able to pull it off 😛

As usual, the night ended up with a group pic. We even recorded a video screaming ‘Wish You Were Here’ with big smiles in our faces.

I saw a number of bloggers who looked familiar. Some i know by name, some by face. Too bad there’s no time much for networking. Oh well. We’ll see each other in future events!

All in all, i had a great Saturday! Thank you so much to Manila Bloggers Network, Thunderbird Resorts and all the sponsors of the event. Thank you also for the bloggers who paid attention to my talk. Sa uulitin! 🙂