Empress Of Drac, A Cebuana Blogger

This is my very first attempt in Video Blogging.  As part of Cebu Bloggers Society Inc.’s election coverage, I conducted a few interviews a while ago, asking feedback from voters about Election 2010.  This is the first video that I uploaded because the guy I interviewed has detailed answers.  I inserted a transcript in this video because there’s a feedback that the audio quality is not that good and also, the language is in Cebuano.

Aside from this video, you can still catch up the latest 2010 Election news by visiting our cebu bloggers homepage.  CBS members are also simulcasting from different social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, Plurk, and Yahoo to bring you the latest Election 2010 updates.  You can also follow me in Twitter to get the latest Election happenings from my point of view.

By the way, here’s the detailed transcript of the video above.

>>What can you say about Election 2010?
It’s not organized and it’s very crowded.
The past elections were more okay since you only have to go inside your precinct’s room and vote.
Now, you have to line up and get a priority number and wait.
>>Any feedback about the PCOS machine?
It’s okay.  Actually, this election is nice if each precinct has its own PCOS machine. 1 PCOS machine serves 5 precincts, the main reason of the delay in voting.
>>What is your overall rating for Election 2010?
Well, it’s okay but I cannot tell if all can cast their vote.  There are some people who plan not to vote anymore because of the slow process.
>>Can you now conclude that the election is cheat-free because it’s automated?
I think it’s difficult for someone to cheat because the ballots are inside the machine.
>>Okay.  Thanks.

Mama Adang with Papa Troy

Happy Mothers Day to my witty, hardworking, understanding, and sharp-humored mother.  Thank you for:

• always being there
• understanding my flaws
• silently supporting my endeavors
• cracking “humorous” jokes
• loving Papa Troy
• cooking the family’s “favorite” dishes
• updating us the latest neighborhood “news”
• loving us unconditionally

My mother gives up her teaching career for US.  I got nothing else to say but THANK YOU.  Thank you, Ma.  We love you.

After a nationwide search that commenced in March and generated thousands of entries, the journey from anonymous to famous is on its homestretch as the top 10 finalists of the PLDT myDSL WatchPad Crew was unveiled online recently.

PLDT myDSL is not just looking for the usual eye-candy as the finalists were chosen based on their unique personalities, love for the internet, and a passion in life ranging from music, sports, the performing arts, and even advocacies relevant to today’s generation. Simply put, these are teens who want to stand out and make a difference.

Two Cebuanas have made it to the coveted circle of young, vibrant personalities from all over the country and with Cebu’s support may just become part of the coolest crew in town joining the ranks of Rhian Ramos, champion drifter Alex Perez, Isabel Oli, Gino de la Peña, Viktor Aliwalas and Steph Henares. The top five with the most online votes will have a chance to become a part of the 5 new PLDT myDSL WatchPad Crew. Public online voting is open until May 23. Read the rest of the press release 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 Son Of Peter

Have you been a victim of these credit card agents who would just suddenly call you at home and would forcefully ask you of your latest ITR copy, telling you that it’s the only lacking document so that your credit card application will be processed?

My first reaction was actually like, Oh, WAIT!  What’s the name of your bank again?  And then I went blank because I couldn’t remember that I applied for a credit card account to that bloody bank.  The very loud agent would then argue that I did sent an application and I should fax the lacking document so that I can start using their instant credit card.  And, I was like stupefied.

And after I hang up the phone, everything just sank in.  How did that bloody agent got all my personal information?  I only have two existing accounts and they are like the best credit cards that I have so far.  And I don’t have any plans to apply for another account because it would be just a waste of money and time.  Handling two credit card accounts is definitely not easy.  It’s just that, I want to maintain a good credit history for future purposes.

Anyways, that’s actually not the first time that a credit card agent tried to lure me to apply to their bank.  I’m just wondering how they get all my personal information.  I think someone is selling data from one company to another.  Something fishy is going on here.  Tsk…tsk.

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.

Webthesurfi Rugs Webdesign are the keywords that we are currently competing to top in the Google SERPs. Clairemont Webdesign spearheaded this contest, which started last middle of March and will end in the 2nd week of April.

This is my very first SEO contest, and I really feel its thrill. My original intention why I joined, is to drive new traffic to my main site. Winning is not really my aim because truthfully, I still have a lot of things to learn about search engine optimization.

When I joined this contest, I was actually thinking that I would learn a lot about SEO since I will do my best to at least put my entry in a higher rank. Thus, it will drive me to be more resourceful and find things that I don’t know about.

At this very moment, I can already tell how those 4 entries made their way to the top. And it’s very obvious that their efforts are much larger than mine, though I believe that I also did a tremendous job so that my entry won’t end up in the bottom list.

One thing I learned about being part in this contest is, if you are wise enough, you can actually mimic the strategy of the other contestants. This, is because of the web’s transparency.

A contestant who is wondering why this certain entry is constantly topping the SERP, would eventually do some analysis and will pull out resources to diagnose it. After the nosing around, if you are really keen to details, before you know it, you already discovered their secrets.

For the first quarter of this year, there are only 3 keywords that won’t get easily erased from my mind…webthesurfi rugs webdesign.

Anyways, have you joined a contest lately?

N.B.: I wrote this post on the last week of March and shared it to my forum comrades.  I posted this now here in my main site to at least push my SERP rank.