iBlog5 Thoughts

Last May 9, the University of the Philippines Internet and Society Program (UP ISP) held the fifth Philippine Blogging Summit iBlog event (or iBlog5). For the last five years, iBlog events has been  putting the issues of new and experienced bloggers forward– from talks about hot to start a blog to more advanced topics such as making money online, the legal aspect of blogging, and blogging’s cultural effects, iBlog has been a good information resource and learning ground for bloggers.

But for me, iBlog means something different. To be honest, I wouldn’t have come to iBlog because of the talks and the speakers (make no mistake, a lof of the speakers are really very good and friends of mine) only. I went there for one thing: fellowship. Despite staying on the event for short period of time, I got to meet friends, reconnected with old friends, and met some new folks. :D

I feel really great that such an event can get bloggers together. With blogger events getting smaller and smaller (due to the focus and targeting of companies, and more independent blogger event organizers coming out), this event is a throwback to the time when blogger events mean more than 40 people who had a blog get together. :P

If rock had its Woodstock Festival, independent film has its annual Sundance Film Festival, the Philippine blogging scene has iBlog. (Yeah, I’m going out on a limb to say that. :P )

Some rough pics I took:

Updated links (Thanks to Janette!):

  • Mae
    Good stuff, yes socializing on these events can become ( and is ) a very powerful thing. It's a shame that people nowadays prefer to use non physical events, I've known times when these events drew large amounts of people. Times have changed.
  • Great idea. Networking is always a great idea, whether you are talking just about blogging, or Internet Marketing as a whole. The only problem is physical events are getting rarer and rarer these days, people prefer webinars, teleseminars etc.
    But, I agree with you, there is nothing like getting together physically and networking anyday....
  • MakeMoney
    I suppose lots of cities could host blogger clubs - where local bloggers could get together at a hotel and discuss blogging issues

    Blogging is a pretty lonely occupation - a once a month get together should be viable
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The Author

Regnard Raquedan

Regnard Raquedan: I'm a web & usability consultant from the Philippines. I help companies build their websites, make their sites easy to use, and ensure they reach their intended audience online via internet marketing.