I think everyone will agree with me when I say that the year 2007 has been a year of blog events for the Philippine blogosphere. Being a blogging newbie that I was, this has also been the year when I started going to offline blog events and meeting other bloggers in the flesh. In a sense, my blogging world expanded and I realized that there’s more to blogging than just being able to write my thoughts online (and yeah, of course, there’s blog traffic rush too).

And since bloggers being humans really, we tend to form our little communities, both online and offline. With formation of such communities, it is expected that there will be some skirmishes here and there, some bouts of misunderstanding, and a little argument everytime somebody talks about a debatable issue. It could be particularly energy draining, having to sustain your sanity in such hair-splitting situations, especially when people are getting so pumped up with emotions. But then, again, things like these are expected to occur and I think it’s healthy. We just have to go through it like rational beings that we are. Learn, grow, and most importantly, to remember to actually have fun (it’s what we always forget, I think, being so immersed in the complicated web of things).

It would be nice to look back at such memorable events, both online and offline. I have compiled some of the blog events of the year and the controversies that had been playing in the blogosphere (if I do forget an event or a controversy, just leave a comment and I’ll add it up! I won’t pretend that I’ve been to every blog event because I haven’t. Hehe):

BLOG EVENTS OF 2007

1. Blog Parteeh! 2007 – is purportedly the largest Philippine blogger meet-up ever. It was held last January 27 in the afternoon at Classica Tower 2 condominium poolside in Makati. Must be a 150+ bloggers who attended and it’s actually the first blog event that I went to (so I was a blogger event virgin then, haha). I won a Bubbagump GC back then, which is still a Bubbagump GC now. And I remember being mildly surprised that Benj (that was Benj, right?) didn’t actually have slash wounds on his arm and that Jester really does wear a jester hat. Haha.
2. The 2007 Philippine Blog Awards night – this was held last March 31 and the first ever in Philippine blogging history. It was really a fun night, though I regret not having gone to the after party (damn hospital duties!). This event also has its share of controversies. More on this later.
3. iBlog3 – It was the 3rd Philippine blogging summit held at the School of Economics Auditorium in U.P. Diliman last April 13-14. Speakers were the popular, experienced bloggers of the country who talked about blogging ethics, niche blogging, politics, photoblogging, and more. I wasn’t able to go, though, because of my damn back pain. Now, I’m just looking forward to attending iBlog4, if there will be one.
4. Taste Asia Blogger Food Fest I – This was held last July 3 at Taste Asia in SM Mall of Asia. There were about 160+ happily fed bloggers then who got crazy with the chocolate fountain and the cliquebooth, hehe (and lots of beer too!). And this event taught me to always bring my calling cards because one just never know when a raffle is going to be held. Or rather, I’m just forgetful even when constantly reminded to bring something because there’ll be a raffle. Haha. And who would forget the Virgin Bloggers’ Circle? Continue reading ‘2007: The Year of Philippine Blog Events and Controversies’