A couple of week ago, I was able to join the blog weekend bootcamp which was spearheaded by Davao Bloggers. I had such a blast during the entire affair that it’s hard for me to overstate my satisfaction. So how great was the bootcamp? Let’s just say that the experience was so damn awesome that it inspired me to come up with this poetic masterpiece,
I’ll always remember,
The 21st of September,
When the bootcamp started for thee.
It wasn’t for naught,
As all of us were taught,
A fulsome of blogging techniques.
Okay. I was bullshitting about the masterpiece part. I’d admit to that. However, the part wherein I wrote about how awesome the entire weekend bootcamp? It’s all true.
The Blog Weekend Bootcamp was a 3-day live-in conference with thorough hands-on workshop that delved into the different aspects of blogging. It was a great opportunity for all participants who wanted to learn about current and the best blogging and social media practices. If you’re thinking I’m acting all excited about the event just because I too am a blogger, well, you are dead wrong.
The bootcamp was open to all and bloggers and non-bloggers alike. Enhancing writing skills and introduction to photo and video blogging are just the tip of the iceberg of what the participants were able to take away from the event. We were mentored by people with outstanding expertise and knowledge in the industry- Ms. Janette Toral (Mother of the E-Commerce Law- R.A 8792), Ms. Jojie Alcantara (Journalist, Photographer, PR and Creative Consultant), Mr. Justin Cooke (Chief Idea Generator of Adsense Flippers), Kring Elenzano (Director, Producer, Actress, Host and Vlogger), Roy Ganzon (KBP President-Davao Chapter) and Jay Frank de Jesus (Emerging Media Specialist, U.S Embassy). They have shared their most valuable insights and experiences in their field that. It’s just awe-inspiring knowing how unselfish these bigwigs are. That being said, I would really like to express my sincerest gratitude to these wonderful people.
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| From L-R, Julie, Me, Angel and Aldwin |
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| With Ms. Kring Elenzano |
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| With Ms Jojie Alcantara (photo by Ate Sarah) |
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| With Justin Cooke (photo by Julie) |
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| My first time riding a horse 😛 |
Learning the newest and the latest from the best was one thing that made the bootcamp oh-so special, however, the fun didn’t stop there either. One of the highlights of the 3-day affair for me was the Social Night. The word “social” pretty much sums up everything. It was a literal night of fun and games wherein participants were able to get to know each other. I learned soon after how important that night was for the remainder of the bootcamp as we worked in groups for certain activities. While I’m not some sort of a social outcast, I can be pretty awkward with strangers. Due to a night of fun and games wherein we became more at ease with each other, we participants were more comfortable working and interacting with each other.
So, going beyond the fun and games, the best learning experience I had with the Bootcamp was focused more on learning the ethical aspect of blogging and the usage of social media. Blogging is becoming one of the most powerful media today. How is that so? Let me cite an example, when some news aren’t shown on TV due to certain sensitivity that it carries, you can bet your ass that you’ll find all the details of that news on blogs all over the internet. That’s the ultimate press freedom right there. However, as what has been said so many times. Freedom comes not without responsibility. This kind of freedom gives bloggers power, and what the good old Uncle Ben in Spiderman said “with great power comes with great responsibility”. That is exactly where we are now.
The event was made possible by the support of the U.S Embassy Manila, and the sponsors: SMART Communications, Malagos Garden Resort, Sulit.com.ph, Abreeza Ayala Malls, Crea8tech Solutions, San Miguel Brewery, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., Kaiser Webs Solutions
Online Media Partners: Web Geek, Choose Philippines, Iligan Bloggers Society, Bukidnon Bloggers and Social Media Club, CDO Bloggers, Bukidnon Photographers and Bloggers Society, Cebu Bloggers Society, Soccsksargen Bloggers, Tech in Asia, Living Room and E27- Web Innovation in Asia.
