Empress Of Drac, A Cebuana Blogger

The official list of registered participants was already released by the Secretariat Committee yesterday.  Double check if you can find your name in the final list (the list is arranged alphabetically by name).  Read more notes and instructions here.

Be sure to be there on time.  The first 50 walk-in registrants will receive special prizes.   This is part of the event’s Early Bird promo.  Be there in SM Trade Hall as early as 7:30AM.  SM’s Gate 5 will be open by then.  Read the Entrance Instruction here.

Don’t forget to bring your wifi devices.  SM Trade Hall area is a wifi zone.  Spread the news about Visayas Blogging Summit 2011 by using #vbs2011 as your twitter hashtag.  You can also use it as a marker if you are posting in Facebook and other social networking accounts.

And, DON’T forget to CHECK-IN the moment you arrive in the venue.  Let your friends know that you are attending one of the country’s largest social media summits by checking in at Visayas  Blogging Summit 2011 in foursquare.

Lastly, don’t forget to bring with you notebooks and pen.  Chris Ducker, one of the featured speakers at theBlogWorldExpo in Los Angeles, USA this year, is VBS 2011’s Keynote Speaker.

Excited much?  Check VBS 2011 website to learn more about the people behind the event.

See you. (:

N.B.: Also, get your cameras ready all the time.  Miss Earth Candidates will be dropping by at the summit at around 11 AM.

I would like to apologize for this very late thank-you post.  I was preoccupied with lots of stuff in the past few days that I only manage to update my blog today.

Last 2nd of May, World Bloggers’ Day 2011 was successfully celebrated by bloggers from around the world and I’m so proud to tell the whole blogosphere  that it was made possible through the efforts of World Bloggers’ Day - Cebu Team.  This team is composed of Cebu Bloggers Society, Inc. members who selflessly contributed their time in making the online and offline WBD events successful.

I would like to especially mention Bjorn Bernales, CBSi’s new VP for Content Management for his huge contribution on this project.  Without him, I can’t really tell if the event will be pushed through.  Organizing an event is a very tedious task and it’s very difficult to find people who will stick with you all the way.  Bjorn is responsible in scouting sponsors and he has also helped me in setting up the official World Bloggers’ Day website.

I’m so thankful and would love to work again with the following people in the next World Bloggers’ Day events to come.

Jim Villaflores - The one who is responsible for the overall World Bloggers’ Day designs - logos, banners, photo-wall, and the likes.  He’s the graphic artist behind World Bloggers’ Day 2010 & 2011.  The official WBD logo is his original design.  Jim is a very efficient person.  Though he’s busy with his work, he still manages to squeeze the designing task and can promptly implement changes at an admirable speed.  It’s definitely rare to find someone who can work wholeheartedly without expecting anything in return.

Michelle Maglasang - Mikyu is CBSi’s former VP for Content Management.  This little woman left a strong impression on me.  Despite being busy in school (she’s graduating from college during the event preparation), she still manages to insert WBD-related writing tasks in her schedule.  She’s very prompt in publishing and editing Press Releases.  She’s in-charged in proof-reading all the contents of the World Bloggers’ Day website.

Milafel Hope Dacanay - Lemski is one of the best writers in the Cebu Bloggers Society, Inc. family.  Aside from being the main Press Release writer for World Bloggers’ Day 2010 - 2011, she’s also the one who’s responsible in every PR article CBSi releases every time the organization has an upcoming event.  CBSi owes a lot from her.

Ken Michael Jon | Gezelle Mae Tapangan - Ken & Gezelle are CBSi’s newest members who took part in the preparation of World Bloggers’ Day 2011.  Both of them are in-charged in writing themed articles for the World Bloggers’ Day website.   Ken is the author of the article “The Roles of Blggers“.  On the other hand, Geezelle is the one who wrote the article about the history of blogging (unpublished).  Ken is the official event photographer during the actual World Bloggers’ Day - Cebu event.

Dr. Narciso Tapia - Dr. Buboy is the one in-charged in scouting for sponsorship and in the finalization of the World Bloggers’ Day Audio Visual Presentation - Offline and Online versions.  His WBD-Cebu event Invocation is really cool.  Attendees and speakers asked for a copy of the “Bloggers’ Prayer”.  Doc Buboy is a very meticulous person which is actually a blessing because he’s now the newly elected CBSi Auditor.

Ruben Rallos | Jaysee Pingkian - Sir Ruben Rallos is the best graphic designer in the CBSi Family.  He’s the one responsible for the org’s ID design and has contributed his WBD-Philippines logo for World Bloggers’ Day 2011.  On the other hand, Jaysee has helped a lot on the graphics-related tasks in the last few events of the org.  At a very young age, Jaysee has a raw talent in web and graphic design.  He’s currently a member of the org’s Board of Trustees.

Ruben Licera - Sir Ruben is CBSi’s mentor and adviser.  He helps the WBD-Cebu event financially.  He’s the one who bought the hosting & domain service for wordlbloggersday.com and worldbloggers.org.  He also shouldered some of the expenses for the WBD-Cebu offline programme.  Though he’s not always present in every CBSi activity (he’s a very busy man), he always finds time to join major and important events of the organization. One thing I learned from him is that, we should not judge other people according to our standards or perspectives because we don’t have any ideas what they are going through.  Every individual has his own reason why he ch0oses to act indifferently and we have no right to bring him down just for the fact that our expectations towards him/her are not met.

Orville Tadle - The homegrown SEO guy of the CBSi family.  Despite his busy schedule he finds time to do some onsite optimization for the WBD website.  Thank you so much, Sir Orvz.  Orville is currently the head of Cebu SEO, an organization of SEO specialists all over Cebu.

Fleire Castro | Bert Padilla - Thank you so much, guys for the support.  Though you are originally tasked to scout for sponsors, I’m still thankful for the support you give for World Bloggers’ Day.  Thanks Fleire for encouraging the Illigan Bloggers to join WBD 2011.  Bert, we can work for a better WBD next year since we already have you as the VP for Committee on Ways & Means.

Mark Monta | Kevin Ray Chua - Mark, CBSi founder and my WBD co-initiator; and Kevin, the newly elected CBSi president, are the ones in-charged in checking the venue set-up and logistics.  Mark’s natural leadership skills and amicability proves to be very useful in times of “crisis”.  Kevin, on the other hand, has extended his full support to WBD by promoting the event both offline and online.  The organization has high hopes for the next three years to come having him as the org’s leader.

I hope I didn’t miss any team members.  Anyway, I would like to congratulate Mr. Ronnell Padillo, CITs Supreme Student Council President, for a job well done. Despite the short notice, he managed to host the 5-hour World Bloggers’ Day program well.  Can’t imagine how the program would continue without his help.  Thank you so much, Nell.  You’re the best!

Also, before I will end this post, I would also want to thanks Mark Razonable for the effort he exerted during the offline registration process.  Thank you so much, Mr. Tambay.  Until next time. (:

In my next post, I will be posting some photos of the offline WBD events held in some key locations.  So long and happy blogging. (:

Three short yet very productive and life changing years…

As I browse through some CBSi people’s 3rd anniversary posts, the very common thing that they mentioned there is on how the organization changed their lives and that how proud they are being part of the society.  These testimonials alone are sure proof that Cebu Bloggers Society, Inc. is a very influential group and aside from accomplishing its main goal of promoting Cebu through blogs, it has played other very important roles - a life changer and an inspiration to its members and those non-members who wanted to become part of the organization.

We celebrated our 3rd year of being together yesterday at PAGCOR Casino Filipino Parkmall.  Thanks to Mr. Renato Z. Osmeña, Jr., Satellite Manager of PAGCOR Parkmall for allowing us to use their very new event hall.  For the record, Cebu Bloggers Society, Inc. is  its very first “event users”.  The hall doesn’t even have a name yet.  A big thank you also to Mr. Francis Daniel Maning of Holister Cafe for the overall help in setting up the venue.  The Holister Cafe is located inside the PAGCOR building in Parkmall, Mandaue City.

More photos of Cebu Bloggers Society, Inc. 3rd Anniversary Celebration here.

At first glance, the thought of initiating a worldwide event is like a vagary.  People are raising their eyebrows, some are pessimistic, and some don’t even give a deal.  The main point here is that, we successfully initiated something which would result to a global impact later on.  We don’t need to expect a lot because this is the first, and though we have some failures, we surely can learn from it.

I wanted to congratulate Cebu Bloggers Society Inc. for successfully launching the very first World Bloggers’ Day event at Parkmall Cebu just a while ago.  It’s actually the very first time that all blogging communities around the Philippines made representations for each group.

The event started with an Invocation led by Willand Cuna (CBS member), followed by a welcome address by Miss Ma. Carla Estella, PR Officer of Parkmall, Cebu.  This was followed by the presentation of the blogging communities from around the Phillippines by Mark Monta, founder of Cebu Bloggers Society Inc..  Three blogging communities sent in their presentations: Manila Bloggers’ Network (headed by Azrael Coladilla), SOCKSARGEN Bloggers (headed by Avel Mananzala), and Davao Bloggers (headed by Ria Jose).  And, of course, Cebu Bloggers Society Inc. had also presented a short AVP about their organization.

After the blogging community presentations, Mark Monta presented the newly elected CBSI officers to the public.  The following are Cebu Bloggers Society Inc.’s newly elected officers.

President - Vernon Joseph Go
VP for Content Management - Michelle Louise Maglasang
VP for Corporate Affairs - Agnes E. Jimenez
VP for Education - Jerry Gervacio
VP for Marketing - Michael Sinjin Pineda
VP Membership - Clarence Andrew Mongado
VP for Ways and Means - Mark Monta
Treasurer - Bryan Karl Yuson
Secretary - Wilhelmina Sarawi
Auditor - Jorich Ponio
BOTs for Special Projects
- Gerrymie Tampus
- Guada Conception Esmena
- Mark Alessandrew Abitona
- Prince Ryan Gilig
- Ruben Licera Jr.
Ombudsman/Legal Counsel - Atty. Ethelbert Ouano

The presentation of officers was then followed by the unveiling of Parkmall’s monthly blogging contest.  Agnes Jimenez, the Events Coordinator, presented the contest’s guideline and mechanics.  This blogging competition is open to all Cebu-based bloggers.

The bloggers then enjoyed a sumptuous dinner prepared by Parkmall’s best food tenants.  The event ended with the awarding of the blogger of the day, the one with the best cast-away outfit, and a closing remark by CBSI’s new president, Mr. Vernon Joseph Go.

A lot of raffle prizes were also given during the event.  By the way, Ricky dela Cruz of Rabsing.com, won the best cast-away outfit contest.  Atty. Ethelbert Ouano and Doyzkie Buenaviajie were the men of the event (emcees).  Thanks a lot to Parkmall’s Marketing Team, headed by Madam Judith Letty Sellner for the major support and sponsorship.

N.B.: Before ending this post, I would also want to give special thanks to the special team behind World Bloggers’ Day’s online launching.

Graphics and Design - Jim Villaflores
Press Release - Bert Padilla
Post & RSVP - Michelle Louise Maglasang
Article - Milafel Hope Dacanay
Wikipedia Release - Jerry Gervacio (to be published later)
Others - Mark Monta, Agnes Jimenez

Photos will follow later.

Photo by Wantet

Tired of the sandy and sunny beaches? Wanted a total relaxation away from those noisy beach goers and drunk party animals? Then, you have an alternative escape - Hidden Valley Mountain Resort.

Hidden Valley Resort is one of Cebu’s untarnished mountain destinations.  It is located in Barangay Lamac, Pinamungajan, which is about 2 hours from the city. It is 8 kilometers away from Lutopan, Toledo and 14 kilometers away from Poblacion, Pinamungajan.

Hidden Valley is surrounded by mountains and forests, which made it an ideal vacation spot for people who yearn absolute relaxation and peace of mind.

Photo by Wantet

The resort is managed by Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LMPC).  For bookings and reservation, please contact 032 516-0450.

N.B.: Hidden Valley is the official resort of Tsinelas Associaton and Cebu Bloggers Society Inc. Computer Literacy Outreach this coming 24th and 25th of April.