There are around 10 days left in 2010. Needless to say, it has been a good year for me. Despite everything bad or scary that happened, I am happy to be alive. Career-wise, I am very happy with everything, even if it has been challenging. For the first time in 20 years, I won't be celebrating New Year with my relatives. They're all going to Hong Kong. The New Year Celebration might be different for me this year in both good and bad ways. On one hand, it will be a bit lonely. On the other hand, I can think of a new way to enjoy it. Might go out of town. But this post is not about that. It's about 2011 and how epic it's going to be. Why do I say that? Because I want it to be epic. Career-wise 2010 has been a landmark year in the sense that I was able to accomplish a lot as a blogger and writer. Moreover, new doors and opportunities opened for me. As a person, I overcame hurdles I never thought I'd have to hurdle. And while there were relatives and friends who helped along the way, it was a…
Because I Have to Say These
It has been a rough few months and a brutal year. On the other hand, it has been a challenging and fulfilling one career-wise. With my recent life-threatening illness, I felt that life has not yet gotten tired of giving me more shiz to be emo and angry about. Then again, after more than a month of struggling, I am happy and very grateful to be alive. And yes, I have gotten a bit mellow and is more accepting of how things are. I can easily let go of things now. Despite the challenges and hurdles, I was perfectly happy. That is until last weekend. It was off to a good start until certain things were said. And yes, those might have been in jest, but it's never a happy moment when somebody tells you that your dead father, the one you never really knew, was a very good and kind person and they wonder why you're not a good and kind person. HARSH! And to be told over and over again that your struggle to stay afloat and live a happy life alone can be solved by swallowing your pride and apologizing to somebody who has hurt you so…
State of the Philippine Blogosphere
The last of the major blogging events for this year was the BlogFest Soccsksargen held at General Santos City on December 11, 2010. It was successfully organized by the Sox Bloggers in only 3 weeks. Avel Manansala gave me the task of opening the BlogFest with a talk on the "State of the Philippine Blogosphere." I had a hard time gathering my thoughts and inputs while I made my presentation. I depended on Ratified data and the input of many Filipino bloggers before I finalized my talk. Here is the slide show presentation that accompanied my talk: State of the Philippine BlogosphereView more presentations from Avatar Media. I divided my talk into three parts focusing on current trends, the development of blogging communities, and the landmark blogging events of 2010. 30 minutes is definitely not enough to summarize how vibrant and controversial the Philippine Blogosphere has been in 2010. I refused to focus on the controversies and divisive issues and highlighted the best moments of the Filipino bloggers and Philippine blogs. Surprisingly, the theme of my talk coincided with the theme of the Philippine Blog Awards 2010, which is "Beyond Blogging." Most of the other speakers during BlogFest also emphasized…
Alone
Alone by Joni Angeli Nuenay is the poignant story of the widower who lives alone, with his children living and working abroad. The story is simple, the film is straightforward. Technically, it could have done better. But it succeeded in telling a story and did so effectively. I don't cry when I watch movies, but I teared up a bit after watching this film. Nuenay succeeds in delivering a tired old story with minimum melodrama and angst but with maximum impact that pierces through the heart. It is a story a lot of Filipinos can relate, young and old. The story of man a struggling to survive alone, with his loved ones away from him. The message is shown subtly without much tears and no hysterics. And yet we feel the loneliness, the pain, and the short sweet moments of joy. The film succeeds in story-telling. And Nuenay is truly deserving of the Best in Screenplay Award. But perhaps, it would have failed without the natural delivery of Best Actor Roger Gonzales. It seemed like Gonzales was not even acting at all. The simple story matched well with Gonzales' heartfelt acting to give the audience a melancholic story. What it…
Ang Sipyat
I was fortunate to have been part of the jury of the 6th Mindanao Film Fest. And together with film historian Teddy Co of the NCCA and local filmmaker Rudolph Alama, I watched, critiqued, and chose the best among the field of contenders. It was an enjoyable task, but very much taxing. I liked one of the films very much. It was, in fact, my personal favorite. (Obviously, I was outvoted. Hehe!) The film is Director Ronald Gary Bautista's Ang Sipyat which he made in collaboration with his brother and student Leo Jeorge Bautista under the production outfit Studio Beta. The film won Best in Sound in the 6th MFF and was a strong contender in most categories. Ang Sipyat (The Error) is the story of a famed thief who made the mistake of victimizing a girl. His victim, it turns out, has two siblings who are skilled in martial arts. The story seems simple enough. Shallow, in fact. But upon watching the film, as cliche as it sounds, there is more to it than the summary says. The story has a slight but not off putting twist. Can't tell you more coz it would spoil the fun of watching…
Acceptance Speech: Top Video Posts and Podcasts for 2010
Last Sunday, I was awarded by the Philippine Blog Awards with the Top Video Posts and Podcasts for 2010. I was not able to attend the awards ceremony but my friend, Winston, accepted the award for me. The award is for Podcast 6: Being Friends with the Ex. Here is the speech I was supposed to deliver when I accept the award: Thank you to the Plurkers, Facebook friends, and blog commenters who inspire me with new topics and issues to discuss! Thank you to my relatives and friends who listen to my endless blabbing! I share this award with my badet friends Kring and Poyt. I also share this award with the boys and men who broke my heart and help me get insights for good podcast topics. Daghang salamat! Thank you to the Philippine Blog Awards, Inc for recognizing the best and brightest of the Philippine blogosphere! I know what you're doing isn't hard and it's not for personal gain of profit. Many, many thanks! I would also like to thank my colleagues at Avatar Media, Davao Bloggers, and Mindanao New Media who inspire me everyday to be a better blogger and person! May we continue to work…