Nuffnang Blog Awards, Here I Come

 

December 16 is a special day to a lot of people.

Payday for the working class. Start of the Filipino 9-day Christmas midnight mass.  And do you care to know that it’s the birthday of music genius Ludwig Van Beethoven?  Well, there’s a Yahoo group for fans of this great composer with a current membership of 500 plus.

For bloggers like me, especially for Nuffies, it’s OUR DAY! Come 16 December 2011, 500 bloggers from around the Asia-Pacific region will flock to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards 2011 in Putrajaya Marriott. The Awards aims to not only honour the region's best bloggers, but also to bring together blogger communities from across Asia-Pacific. The Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards is brought to you by Volkswagen Malaysia and Putrajaya Marriott.

It would really be a blast to be part of this amazing event for many reasons.  Here’s my top 3 Ys on why I want to attend the Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards 2011:

You just have to be there.  It’s like the Christmas day of bloggers where all people seem to be jolly and gifts and freebies are everywhere.  It’s the time of the year when we raise a toast and give recognition to the finest bloggers of this side of the world.  So many faces, so many races different voices, different choices--- bloggers of all sorts of shapes and sizes will gather in one momentous event.  And I want to be part of the festivities and witness the The Event at first hand!

Yodel on top of at least one of the Petronas Towers.  It there is one place that I want to see if I’ll be granted a chance to go on an overseas trip, it would be Kuala Lumpur to see the majestic Petronas Twin Towers--- the world’s tallest twin buildings.  The main reason why I want to see this pair of 1500-feet skyscrapers is that I wanted to experience the same joy and excitement that my late brother Jimmy felt when he visited Malaysia a few years ago.  I can still remember the smile on his face whenever he talks about his trip to the country, the awesome towers and the friendly people.  I know with this chance, I can relive some of the great memories my Jimmy told me… breath the same air, walk the same ground and be amazed with the same wonders he got to experience before he left us.

Yell out my blog’s name while walking on the red carpet. This year has been a very great year for me as a blogger for the reason that I have won numerous blog contests and online promotions.  But of all the victories, I am very proud most of my four winnings in the many blog contest conducted by Nuffnang Philippines this year.  I have also won two of their blog contest last year. And I just hope the cherry on top of this very fruitful year is the chance to walk on the red carpet of the Nuffnang Asia-Pacific Blog Awards 2011, meet fellow bloggers from other countries and learn a thing or two from the best of the best.

You see, this yuppie can yank a yammer of a list of why I am yapping and yowling for a yellow ticket to the coolest blog awards of the year.  But yeah, I don’t want to sound that I’m like yelping--- yet.

Happy Blog Day to us!

 

August 31 is a special day to many people.

Payday to the working class. Landladies day to make rounds to their apartments for rent. Springboard to the so-called "Ber" months thus the start of the Christmas season for Filipinos--- the longest in the world. It's also Richard Gere's birthday for those who care.

For bloggers like me, it's OUR DAY! In celebration of the International Blog Day 2011, I am talking part to Nuffnang Philippines call for recommendations of six (6) blogs from all over the world that might interest others who have yet to stumbled upon them.  And so, here's my list:

www.oddee.com - A blog on oddities

On days that I feel like blogging but nothing seems to be worth posting, i turn to this site for inspiration, not necessary to repost an interesting topic but to get some ideas from some of their entries like 10 weirdest dish, unfortunately placed ads and my favorite, famous people who look like pets. It was a LOL experiencing reading the list that includes Taylor Lautner to a Llama and Tina Turner to a Chow Chow.

www.korkedbats.com

This is more than just the usual sports site that offers scoreboards and athlete's profile. It features more on the lighter side of sports and even ran stories on planking and classic movies like Mighty Ducks and others. They also search for sports geeks who does the extraordinary like the guy who built a Dirk Nowitzki statue using 41,000 pcs. of Lego blocks.

www.shortstoriesblog.com

As the blog's name suggest, expect each entry as a stand alone story that ranges from fiction to true stories and humor to romance.  One entry was even less than 100 words. Some tales end with a question that will let you decide for the ending. I find this very clever and creative from someone who describes himself as a poet, struggling blogger, entrepreneur, speaker and an accomplished songwriter someday.

www.bloggerfather.com - A Blogger and a Father

Sometimes while reading posts here, I feel like saying that this is my blog. Being a daddy blogger my self, I can relate to the views, adventures and misadventures, and little troubles that this American dad experiences everyday. There are times I would subconsciously just nod while browsing his rants. Click his Credential tab and you'll see the "cutest" achievements of his life.

www.bgr.com - Boy Genius Report

The blog uses the tagline "Full of rumor and leaks, and are almost always right." And they have proven it with the many exclusive never before seen photos and what to expect to upcoming gadgets and products.  They also have an informative and useful reviews and buying guide section.

www.thebitterblog.com - The bitterest blog on the net

Get to know Joey, someone who claims to have never had a single pimple on his face that's why he laughs at people who have lots of them.  Wether you'll agree or not, you'll find his topics worth reading like his post about worthless congratulations, break-ups and tips to the just got single again. Don't forget to read the Bathroom protocol for men (e.g. Guard your package and no talking during the exit of fluids)

I hope you can also share your favorite blogs in the comment section so we can all discover more wonders in the cyberspace.  Again, happy blog day to us!

Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs for 2011 Writing Project

Influential Blogger by Ms. Janette Toral continues with its annual quest to find the emerging influential blogs. Now in its fifth year, all bloggers are invited to send in their nominees so those who truly deserves will be recognized.

Below is my list of nominees based on my taste. Actually, these blogs have influenced me in one way or another:

1. Mommy Survival Guide. Parenthood, relationships and other things in between shared through great posts based on experiences and stuff stumbled upon the net.

2. Certified Foodies - For the Love of Food! . This blog is sad to have started with the purpose of hopefully encouraging people to go back to their kitchens and cook. One will also be encouraged to eat more with the food adventures shared here.

3. Kwento ni Toto. I just love the blog's name. I share some of Toto's views and stories especially about fatherhood, me being a parent as well.

4. 7107 Reasons. Be forever proud proud of our country with 7000+ more reasons from this innovative and clever blog.

5. BLOG-PH.com is an up-and-coming lifestyle blog which is quite making a buzz in the local blogosphere. Why? Well, check out and discover for your self.

6. Foodtrip. No need to explain. If your hungry and is on a look out for a new dining tables to feast, you can get some good tips from this site.

7. Purple Plum Fairy. The blog was created in Feb. 1, 2010 but the site actually took off in eight months later with it's first post. Won a blog contest from Nuffnang early this year and feature freebies from time to time.

8. Mapagbigay ka ba? An advocacy blog for people who are looking for individuals or organization to help. The counterpart of the contest blog Mapanghingi ka ba?

9. Lakwatsera Mom. A mom's journey to what ever life has to offer. She's everyehere thus living up to her blog's name.

10. Girl Kuripot. Who doesn't know Boy Kuripot? Well, his tag team partner in real life has also ventured with a contest blog for her self.

This year's search would not be possible if not for the support of the following sponsors: Cyber Monday Deals, TRIbeca Private Residences, How To Videos, Palawan Beaches for Sale, Green and Natural Lubes Philippines, Philippine data center, Philippine online shopping, Singapore Jobs, Roomrent.ph and Pinoy Party Food.

Pizza at Yellow Cab is great as their crew

When I like something, I either make a shout out about it on my FB wall or tweet a line about the experience. But if I really really like about it, I blogged about it.

Last May 8 (yup, eight days ago and if not for Blogger's last week vacation mode this could have been posted a little earlier), my wife celebrated Mother's day with me and our 2-year old son Charles Anthony in a place where she least expected.  Our previous celebrations were held in restaurants where you'll feel that it's only us in that place.  But this year, we had a pizza party with dozens of screaming fans watching the Pacquiao-Mosley fight live at Yellow Cab - People Support in Makati City.

I know it's not the place that she has in mind but it went out fine because (1) Manny Pacquaio won (as expected), (2) we gained new friends, (3) we got FREE lunch and other goodies and (4) the crew at the Yellow Cab are so accommodating especially that friendly waitress who even played with my son (the only uninterested individual in the fight).

Thanks for the treat Yellow Cab Philippines, Nuffnang Philippines and PLDT My DSL Watchpad.  

What are your New Year's Resolutions to be a Better Employee?

A former officemate visited me at my office three days before 2010 ends. We did talk about a few things and what had happened to our lives within almost a year that we have not seen each other. From silly stuff like his new pair of Supra to more serious topics like career plans and new year’s resolutions.

Hmmm… new year’s reolution…

I don’t remember if I did give him a serious answer when asked about it but he sounded sincere with his words when he promised himself not to be tempted on spending like crazy every time payday comes.

Being one curious soul, I wanted to know what my other colleagues and friends want to change in their ways for the coming year 2011 by asking them personally and posting this question on the Facebook wall:

What’s your New Year’s resolution to be a better employee?

I even instructed my friends to note if they want to have their name withheld if I intend to include their responses in this article but they all agreed to have their name published so here are some of the notable answers I got from them:

“I have resolved that in 2011, I'll make sure my desk is clutter-free at the end of the working day. “ - Geoffrey Galias, High School Teacher

“To be more organized, follow my set time table, be more friendly and to strictly work on my budget allotted for the day.” - Rhea Mee Paragsa, Admin Staff

“I want to go back to weightlifting and have an active lifestyle. After all, a healthy worker means better productivity in the workplace.” - Renato Del Rosario, Accounting Specialist

“Hopefully I won’t get plenty of absences next year.” – Toni Cunanan, Project Coordinator

“More patience for my patients.” – Trish Sunga, Nurse

“I just hope I can still perform the best that I can if I will get more work load next year” – Noel De Ocampo, Utility Personnel

“I will add more alertness on my work when I am on duty.” – Christopher Barbosa, Security Guard

After getting those inputs from other employees, I am beginning to recognize some improvements I need to apply in my work habits in order to be more effective in my job

All of a sudden, I feel like calling a friend and demand to ask me again what my new year’s resolution for 2011 is. I think it’s not too late to make a sort of “to-do” list for the year.

It would be helpful to keep such list so we can check next year if ever we have achieved the personal goals that we set or our resolution just end up as broken promises.

Hopefully, all of us will stick with whatever resolutions we will come up with whole year round because it will definitely not only benefit our respective companies but would also be personal accomplishment we can be proud of.

(This article was published on the January 9, 2011 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Oh, my it's already 2011?

I must have been so in love with 2010 that I still use it in the past 20 days from my poster lay-out to my office reports.

It's kinda amusing since I found out that there is another guy in our office who also does.  I got the info from my boss during a small talk-cun-calling-my-attention-that-it-is-already-2011.

Oh, well... it also a wake up call in way to update this blog since I haven't written anything since I got my 13th month pay last month.  Well, don't blame me if I find shopping easier to do than blogging during those days.  And now that my ATM is back to it's normal level (zero balance), I'm doing my post for the year.

To all who would happen to read this.  Belated happy new year... errr advance happy new year if you're a Chine :-)

PS: If you're Bugs Bunny or the Energizer Bunny or Roger Rabbit... Happy Hoppin' New Year to you since this is your year!