*Jozzua Notes from a Business and Marketing Strategist/Tactician

You, Pinoy Blogger, the New Power

The Philippine Blog Awards

Looking a the winners of the 2008 Philippine blog awards last Sunday, I see a lot of new bloggers (and recognize many of the old ones. It is refreshing to see this push through.The first blog awards was held on March 2007. This time around, the event was on a September, on the third quarter of 2008. A full year-and-a-half later.

You'll also notice that the organizers lacked one notable blogger -Abe Olandres, who was very prominent in the first awarding ceremonies. It appears Abe is quite busy now and is now more focused on his blogging business. I, for one, understand how that is. I used to blog daily. Now, with all the work I do at the office, I hardly have time to write anything.

What you probably don't know is that there was once a "blogging mafia" - well that's how I fondly recall it. We used to regularly bunch together for evening rendezvous and videoke sessions. I sincerely miss those days. We'd blog about the what's going on around. We'd have fun. In our own way, we were also influencing what's goes on, at least on the Philippine Tech scene.

These days, it seems we're a bit more serious. I consider thePhilippine Blogging Awards a something like an Eraserheads concert reunion. It was a get-together of old friends. (Even though I wasn't there - Sorry guys. Ateneo-Lasalle game took priority). It goes to show that, if you REALLY want it, you'll find a way. On that, a hat tip to the event organizers.

From Coy:

The blogging awards came just after the latest "blogger feeding program" (as Aileen jokingly puts it), Oktoberfest for Bloggers. I missed this one, but I was present (and was a speaker) at Wordcamp Philippines 2008.

Filipinos Are Online Social Animals

These events reinforce the notion that Pinoys are social networkers. We love to interact, both offline and online. The internet has provided a venue to efficiently connect. We have have proved willing lab-rats for this live social experiment.

It is anyone's guess where Philippine blogging will lead to. One thing is certain, more and more Pinoys are blogging. More and more people talk about what's on their minds. We are all nurturing the seeds to a different kind of revolution. As kids become techno-savvy and internet access gets even cheaper, online democracy grows stronger.

The Strength Of Bloggers

Eventually, bloggers will be a new power block - the new El Shaddai or Iglesia ni Cristo of the political arena. Every time we move as one, we'd get things done.

Need evidence? Just consider what Philippine bloggers have, through one way on another, achieved:
- Paypal in the Philippines
- Western Union Payments on Adsense
- Blogging Awards, Events

Tess has a nice summary at what has happened last year (2007). Look at that at you'll see what I mean.

Yes, you bloggers have contributed to that. Just talking about the issue, just BLOGGING about it, give you power. It is the power of spreading ideas.

And you know what? Government, businesses and the old media should take notice. There is a new animal around. Something that the old politicians don't control. It's lurking the social and political jungles ready to pounce on new issues.