BDJ Passion Series: The Love for Fashion and Writing

I believe that a simple planner could do lots of difference, not only to an individual, but also to the whole community. 


On a personal note, I've been using my Belle de Jour Power Planner for four years now. They made my life organized. They gave me a sense of control in managing my life. They hold all my thoughts and feelings, my secrets, my fears and the all the great moments that happened.

With the help of my planner and the love to jot down each and every details of my day-to-day living, it lead me to involve myself into blogging. I believed that I have learnings that's needed to be read and shared. There are certain questions in my mind that's needed to be answered and I thought it would be great getting anyone's share of their views and opinions. I have friends but it would be fun  having my set of friends online. I may not be able to see them personally but I will definitely get to know them thru their comments and messages.


Blogging releases the stress in me (a bit!) and freeing my mind from the whirlwind of thoughts. And it's satisfying to see all your thoughts in writing, just how marvelous you are coming up with those things in mind. It surprises me.


Good thing, Belle de Jour came up with an event that is "for bloggers only.." Having heard of this, I didn't let the moment pass to send in my details and answer their question on why I love to blog. Belle de Jour didn't fail me. I got the slot!

I was surprised to have experienced fashion and writing in a single event. Both were my passion . What added to my surprise was having seen Tricia Gosingtian (triciawillgoplaces.tumblr) and Ana Santos (sexandsensibilities.com) do their share of talks on fashion and writing. I so adored these two gorgeous ladies. I never thought I would have the chance to see them in person, but heard of their name often in the fashion world, online, magazines and blog world. 


Tricia talked on the art of fashion blogging. I love her way of blogging by incorporating pictures (mostly of herself). That is called photo blogging. I can tell Tricia's a very strong-willed person, she never let every opportunity pass her. I admired her for using blog to make fashion friendlier. Her vision is to see people able to dress themselves like the mannequins we often see in boutiques.

She also discussed the essentials of creating a blog. It must have a design, content  and brand. Let people become aware of your individuality and value. Incorporate sophistication on your layout. Cater to a specific demographic.


She relayed that by blogging you get to enjoy some perks. You build personal relations with brands, rare opportunities like mingling with celebrities and other who's who in the society and freebies!


As a fashion blogger herself, she did end the talk by giving helpful styling tips for this year. People can play on color blocking, prints, 60's and 70's inspired and minimalism. This I've got to try!


Ana Santos was a journalist by education and profession, a sexual health activist and the founder of Sex and Sensibilities (an advocacy for health-related issues especially of the reproductive health). It's good to know that she used blogging as an instrument to spread their advocacy. 

Ana talked on finding our writer's voice. To define, a writer's voice is an individual's style of writing. It is what we hear as a constant track in our head.


She revealed that in order for us to find our writer's voice we must start writing. When writing, we have to be experimental. We need to know our writing style. We should not be a victim of our own words. Write what you feel. 


Observing ethics in writing is also a must. Let us respect our readers. Be careful with our choice of words. In turn, we'll build reputation. According to Ana, reputation is like virginity: Once you lose it, it's gone forever!


I may say that for us bloggers, to ignite our passion for blogging, we must remain passionately curious!


My big thanks goes to the girls of BDJ for bringing this kind of event. I believed we were gathered there not only to meet our fellow blogger BDJ girls, not only to plainly sit there and listen, not only to enjoy the freebies but to participate in the discussion, share our views and opinions, and to imbibe the spirit of a true BDJ girl in fashion and in writing.

BloggersFest

Reposting from Manila Bloggers Network..

What: Blogger Fest 2011
When: April 16, 2011
Where: Event Center, Thunderbird Resorts Rizal in Binangonan, Rizal
Time: 11am-6pm

Bus transportation pick up : 9am (venue TBA)
Target attendees : 200 Bloggers

attire: smart casual

FREE ENTRANCE

About the Bloggers Fest 2011
You are invited to the attend and join in our 1st Blogger Fest event this April 16, 2011. The objective of the event is to have a venue for a FREE mentorship about blogging and also networking with all Pinoy bloggers and companies. The event was inspired from the global event Blogger Fiesta Manila last September 2010.

Learn the basics and advance tips and tricks on blogging, our co-bloggers will be there as speakers on different topics and will share their experience and give tutorials on how to have a successful blog site.

Event partners and sponsor will be there to exhibit and do demo on their products,brands and gadgets.

On ground workshop and one on one consultation with co bloggers and groups will take place in different venues, so choose your topic in different niches.

Join in our on the spot contest and activity

Do networking and meet with other bloggers

Enjoy the luxurious venue at Thunderbird Resort Rizal.
Have fun, relax and enjoy while learning only at Bloggers Fest 2011.

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I can feel the excitement.. again! After having attended the iBlog: 7th Philippine Blogging Summit, I am looking forward to attend every event that deals with blogging and other blog-related activities. I am thinking of taking my passion for blogging to another level. I am now actually taking this seriously. And maybe, just maybe, start earning something from it (I'm not asking for much though..)

So, when I learned this event from (who else?) Marq, I never had second thoughts of joining even if it entails travelling from Manila to Binangonan, Rizal. Pero okay lang, first time ko pupunta ng Binangonan. Learning + travelling = fun!

I know I will get to see familiar faces (those I met from iBlog7) from participants to speakers. I'm now dying to pulling the days until the 16th and readying myself to get  submerge into another level of learning, esp of blogging!

iBlog: 7th Philippine Blogging Summit

This is not just any ordinary blog-related event hosted by some pretending-to-be-bloggers.. They're the best of the best, the cream of the crop..


And the fact that this is their 7th time to host such magnificent event only proves that this is really something to look forward to. I'm really at loss for words as to how to describe it, the place, the people (both organizers and participants) and the topics discussed.


It's a 2-day event. Day 1 (04.01) discussion targeted the use of blog as a medium to promote fellow bloggers/entrepreneurs' products and services. Day 2 (04.02) discussion is for everyone who has great interest on blogging. More on knowing Blogging 101 so everyone (of any age, gender, religion) was encouraged to join.

We're the very first to arrived, more than 2 hours prior to the schedule.. Okay, we're excited! We wanted to avoid long queues, avoid being seated afar and avoid getting none of their freebies. It didn't occur to me that blogging is a serious thing. And that there are people who really take blogging to a higher level, seriously! Not until I witnessed the people who joined iBlog. Most of them were from the corporate world, some even holding higher position. Nahiya naman ako tumabi. Though there are some students but not the likes of pa-cute lang. 

Event started around 9am. Everyone's seated and equipments' were set up. People began to open their laptops, some only have notebooks (I'm one!) We're not just there to listen but to participate as well. You will be oblige to surf the net, post your thoughts on your FB wall and Twitter account, raise your questions and share your views and opinions. And I am so liking it!

There was never a dull moment from the speakers. Even the host played his part. There were no stupid questions asked. Speakers gladly interacted with the participants. At the end of their talk, they were handed down tokens of appreciation from the organizers. I still wanted more of their talks, pero syempre their time's very limited. Considering some didn't make it, like Ivan Henares (idol ko pa naman sya!). I didn't mind the time, the topics presented got a hold of my interest. Im glued. 

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9:00 – 9:15 Welcome
9:15 – 9:35 Sponsor Keynote: Roby Alampay, Interaksyon TV5
9:45 – 10:15 Blogging 101 (Jonel Uy & Jinkee Umali)

BREAK

11:00 – 11:20 Podcasting 101 (Adrian Jeric Peña)
11:30 – 11:50 Dealing with Writer’s Block (Roy Dela Cruz)

BREAK

1:00 – 1:15 Intermission Performance UP Choral
1:15 – 2:00 Blogging for Advocacy (Sonnie Santos, Grace Nicolas, Ivan Henares)
2:15 – 2:35 Blog Traffic without SEO (Fitz Villafuerte)

BREAK

3:15 – 3:35 Your Blog and Facebook (Mon Macutay)
3:45 – 4:05 Building a Discussion Community (Michael Rubio)
4:15 – 4:35 Blogging, Social Networks, Online Relationships as Support System (Ria Tirazona)

Raffle, Group Picture

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To top it all, I had FUN.. I enjoyed listening to the talks. I learned lots about blogging, and it made me wanna take it to a higher level, maybe having my own domain and start making money out of it. I met lots of no-nonsense fellow bloggers and heard their thoughts on making the blog world be known to everyone. I adored the speakers and those who dared ask questions (esp the witty Mike Abundo, u got me!) for they show cleverness and interest to uphold blogging amidst the many other social networking sites. The food didn't leave us starving and craving for more, we're so full til the end. I loved the freebies, most esp the iBlog shirt (which I've won from the raffle). 

It's hard to pack our things up when it ended. We wanted more. The event was concluded with our group picture. I can't contain my happiness. I can't wait for the next iBlog8. 

**** PusangKalye and Chinchan: thanks for the pictures.