Presscon? No, make it a bloggcon
Looks like 2007 is a groundbreaking year for local bloggers as more of them (us!) are attending events previously exclusively reserved for the traditional media or the press.
Don’t know if it’s an advantage for me since am both a mainstream writer and a blogger. I have to admit though that it feels surreal being accustomed to formal press conferences all these years, and then seeing my fellow bloggers invade the scene little by little. I know that some bloggers have made a stand and feel icky about accepting a free lunch from rah-rah publicists. Still, it appears that we will not be able to resist an invite or two, especially if it’s laid out on a buffet table filled with sinful chocolate goodies 
What is clear is that bloggers are now on the “media directory” of certain PRs. The question of whether bloggers should keep an open mind, or stick to their independence is a contentious issue that’s subject to much debate.
In the meantime, this writer and a few probloggers had the lunch organized by web service provider Aryty to attend. Aryty (pronounced the same as “all righty”) is a service that lets residents of the US and Canada send e-load to mobile phone users in the Philippines via text or the internet. More about this in an MB article soon.
Anyway, had to take some pictures of the event as I normally don’t see laptop-toting, WiFi induced peeps in formal presscons.
There’s Mike Villar and his brand-new white Mac.
Also, Jayvee Fernandez and his black Mac.
Award-winning WordPress designer Gail de la Cruz-Villanueva, Aryty CEO Nils Johnson and Jayvee check out the Aryty website.
Me, Mike and Gail.
Special thanks to the lovely Karla Maquiling of PinoyCentric.com for facilitating my attendance. I would have loved to devour the buffet at the Circles Event Cafe of Shang-ri La but I was in a fish mode that day. The good thing about a $20 lunch which you don’t have to pay from your own pocket is that you CAN afford not to eat it all … if at all
Blogging since 2004 and recently married to Mr Z. I can't live without coffee....and brown sugar.
UNFLATTERING!
Hey Mikey… if THAT is unflattering, is there anything more flattering than that??
dumaan lang! ahaha galing din ako sa isang presscon ng isang araw, dapat kmi ni anton diaz, dunn di sya sumipot, kaya ayun, feeling uneasy dn ako kasabay mga biggies ng media.
Hi Annalyn,
Nice meeting you po. Sayang ‘di tayo nagkakuwentuhan.
Btw, do you have relatives in Marinduque?
Hi Eric, anong presscon yun… Travel-related ba? Next time don’t feel awkward..they’re just as humanas you and me.
Hi Ederic.. oo nga, but I hope to next time. Had to rush back kase still had to report for work. Nice meeting you from across the table anyway:)
Hi, Annalyn! You’ve been tagged. Visit Tops 2 Bottoms to see the instructions!
Ok thanks Sasha..will answer it soon:)
Thanks for joining us!
Nils
Hi Nils. Thanks for the invite, and also for the free load.:D More power to Aryty!
Not only here in the Philippines but around the world haven’t heard this the Most FAME blog just started this year and has a 5 thou US price
Hi Annalyn !
Thanks for visiting my site! Hope you don’t mind if I link you up!
I’m so glad that bloggers are starting to be included as potential media by PR companies here in our country, it’s putting blogging into a whole new level!
Sophie, thanks a lot too. Yes, it’s good news indeed. Do I see make-up samples on your way soon?
ajay, presscon ng Philtoa yun para sa 18th Phil travel Mart on september
I usually check out your blog out of an interest in Filipino food. My own blog is about the payments industry – totally unrelated. However, because of this post I have discovered Aryty, a cross between overseas remittance and (prepaid) mobile topup, two usually separate mobile payments applications. This is neat and I will definitely feature Aryty on my blog. Maybe you could let them know!
Thanks John. I forwarded this comment to Aryty CEO already. But somehow your email addy isn’t working. You don’t really look like Spam to me
I’ve been called a lot of things, but not Spam! Yes, I mistyped my email so perhaps you can lift it from this comment.
After reading your entry, a thought came into my mind… Are there any blogcons here in the Philippines?
The pinoy blogosphere is growing by the minute, i think it is time for us to have our own nationwide blogcon.
Just a thought.
There was one “blogcon” before Karlo.. but it was more of a party and rather limited. Yes I agree, a blogcon of national proportion should be organized:)
If one were to organize such an event, can we say that it is feasible?
Hmmm… judging from the current state of the pinoy blogosphere, I think that holding a “blogcon” may be a huge hit.
Blogcon anyone?