98 days to go and I dedicate this day to a dear friend.
The second blogger seminar I was ever invited to was the Notre Dame of Marbel University (NDMU) Blogging Seminar organized by bloggers I met in a bloggers event here in Davao. It was 2008 and we had just founded a bloggers organization in Mindanao. I was teeming with enthusiasm and idealism. In that NDMU event, one of the persons I met was a blogger whom I was already following through his blog Dust Dadiangas. Back then, we has an audience member who was generous enough to drive me back to General Santos City from Marbel.
The blogger is Avel Manansala who is no longer Mr Dust Dadiangas. And who, more importantly, is no longer just an audience member in blogging events. After the NDMU blogging seminar, Avel and I participated and collaborated in many other events and projects. Primary of which is the establishment of Mindanao New Media. He was also a big supporter of the Davao Food Appreciation Tour (DFAT) since it’s first year. In not so many words, Avel supported Davao Bloggers, Avatar Media, and events by these groups ever since I met him on February 2008.
It’s 2012 and nothing has changed. Except he is more popular and more influential than ever. This blogger, despite all odds, has wielded his influence to create, solidify, and develop Soccsksargen Bloggers. Undoubtedly, he is the godfather of blogging and bloggers in Soccsksargen. Take note… of an entire region, not just of one city or town. He is that awesome.
Committed to the mission of providing balanced and complete information about his region and the entire of Mindanao, Avel has forged on to be a powerhouse influential bloggers who has not aspired to forward his personal goals, but that of contributing towards the growth of Mindanao.
While we began with me as lecturer and him as audience member, I believe I am now his admirer and supporter and him my inspiration. I shall never forget that awesome moment I met Avel when he instantly became my friend, supporter, and inspiration.
On the occassion of his golden birthday, I dedicate this space for him and him alone… without any agenda or motive other than to give praise to a person who has inspired me in so many ways.
Dear friend,
I might have missed your golden birthday but in my heart, there will ALWAYS be a special place for you and all your plans, projects, and events. While I rarely say it, I sincerely love you and I cherish our friendship. I will be forever eternal that we are always on the same side.
I wish for you good health, a fulfilling career, and an ever loving partner (which you already have and undoubtedly deserve). Kung saan ka masaya dear… suportahan taka. I may not always be physically there for you, but I will always support and love you.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AVEL aka MR BARILES! 🙂
Love lots,
Your Ate Ree 😉
PS I’m crying while I blog this. Ma-drama lang. Haha! :-*
This is sooooo touching!
Thanks Mare! 🙂 Sana mabasa niya, hehe…
I want to tell you a secret.
The very reason why I was able to go on and pursue blogging all throughout these years was that I was so enamored with you after hearing you talk in Koronadal City. You made everything sound so easy about how much fun you have had doing it and earning some loose change in the long run.
You were so engaging that immediately after, I subscribed to most of your blogs (you have 20 blogs then) and made you my inspiration.
Driving you back to GenSan after the seminar was a highlight in my newbie blogger life and having you there in the passenger seat, up close and personal, and further enthralled by your amusing tales on your blogging adventures, almost made me fell in love with the Diyosa Blogger.
Four years after that day, I am still here, doing the same things you are doing and more… being a Mother Hen to other Sox bloggers just like what you did with your Davao Bloggers.
Don’t thank me Ree.
If you did not travel more than four hours that eventful day in February 2008 to Koronadal City from Davao to give that rousing talk, then I would have not pursued blogging as passionately as I am today.
For that, and for the encouragement you have showered on me since then, and for treating me and my brother Orman, as your own, I am eternally grateful to you.
Tagay!!! 😀
Awww… More power to you and Orman.
TAGAY NA! 🙂