How I Survived The Post-Influential Blogs Get-Together (And The Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs Dinner, Too)

A post published a little late. But it will never be too late for a lot of link loves and a bit of a story.
The Top 10 Emerging Influential Blog Announcement was made over dinner at Max’s restaurant, Park Square, Makati last August 1. Actually I had second thoughts about coming because I wasn’t in the mood to be sociable and also, I thought I have clinic early morning the next day in Bulacan. That would mean I can’t stay up too late and that I have to go home to Bulacan during the night, which could be dangerous.

Fortunately, the clinic duty was rescheduled to Friday, which means I have the whole Wednesday and Thursday free. Just perfect for an all-nighter. So, off I went to Park Square.

The event started a bit late. And, of course, no blog event would be complete without some shameless plugging. One by one, bloggers had their time in the limelight to introduce themselves and their beloved blogs. No use being shy during times like these because it is inevitable. However, I found it hard to get everybody’s attention when they are busy eyeing dinner that’s being served. Everybody was probably thinking, “let’s get this over soon so we could chow”, including the blogger speaking.

After our splendid (and free) dinner of fried chicken, lumpia, rice, and caramel bar, the raffle for the 10 winners of $100 each begun. And here are the lucky ones (most of which were not present during the event):

There were also freebies that has been raffled off. However, I’m known to be unlucky when it comes to raffles (and men!) so I didn’t really expect to win any.

And because the night is nearing its end (reservation of function room was only until 9 pm), finally the top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs were announced.

Congratulations to:

Only four of my top 10 made it. However, I didn’t really expect that all of my candidates’ blogs are read by the blogging community who participated in this project. And yes, I voted for some non-Filipino blogs because I think these blogs may become influential to the Philippine Blogosphere, if only the Philippine blogging community will read it.

And, of course, there has been some sparks of controversies regarding the winners and how they, according to critics, do not fit the definition of an influential blog. Many had different opinions and notions about the use of “Influential Blogs” in this writing project. A lot have been complaining that most of the winners aren’t at all influential or that aren’t popular to deserve the title. Also, someone made a case about the project relying more on popularity rather than the actual influence exerted on the entire blogosphere. Some complained that information about the writing project wasn’t disseminated properly because only a small portion of the Philippine Blogosphere actually knew about it and participated, and so, the results of the top 10 didn’t really reflect that of the entire community.

Perhaps Benj is right for saying it’s hard to reconcile “emerging” with “influential”, being that to be able to exert much influence meant authority and that authority does come only after a bit more experience. But to analyze it with regards to the community of bloggers which participated in the said project, I think it’s enough to say that the winners did exert a kind of influence over those who voted. Most bloggers did vote for those they think exerted influence on them. And I think influence will always mean a measure of popularity. So, yes, it is a popularity contest relative to the group which participated in the writing project. That’s enough reason to believe that the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs project did serve its purpose.

Controversies are expected during and after awarding ceremonies and I do think it’s normal. I have read and heard a lot of opinions and most have proven their valid points well. What is important is that we keep the discussion as civil as possible. We are a group of rational individuals with different opinions but with utmost respect on one another person’s right to express personal thoughts. So we should act and speak like rational human beings. At least, the catfights were only limited to a few blogs.

Okay, so let’s leave that story about the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs Dinner and go on to the Post-Dinner events, which I think are more fun.

Some people don’t like going home early, especially from a dinner get-together. So, Kevin, Jhed, Shari, Allan, and Jake accompanied Heneroso (our financier for the night!) to have his new $100 converted to pesos and stayed at Giligan’s. Benj, Jeff, Coy, Rick, Gibbs (who wasn’t able to make it to dinner), Ederic, and Poytee were also there and we occupied on long, long table (one reason why I didn’t get to talk to the people on the other end hehe). Just had some beers and few strange-looking cocktail drinks (Jhed, remember?!).

After we got tired hanging out at Giligan’s and Benj, Jeff, Coy, Ederic, and Poytee decided to go home, we went to Starbucks 6750 to have our proper after-booze coffee drink. Allan and Jake had to go home after a while and only Jhed, Kevin, Shari, and I were left. We talked about a lot of things (of course, that includes sex), and some gossips (Who doesn’t gossip anyway?). And yes, we did stay there until around 6 a.m., when the night shift has already timed out and the new batch of barristas have timed in.

Feeling hungry (but not for pastries), we staked out Tapa King at Park Square. They didn’t open until 6:30 a.m., and so we looked like lost puppies outside the establishment’s door, waiting to be let in.

At around 7 a.m., exhaustion and lack of sleep finally got to us and we decided to go home. Now I know how Starbucks 6750 looks like when it’s deserted. Haha.
Other bloggers who posted about the event:

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Filed under: Events, Lifelogs by Prudence

21 Responses to “How I Survived The Post-Influential Blogs Get-Together (And The Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs Dinner, Too)”

Coy , on August 6th, 2007 at 19:18 Said:

It was great finally meeting you Tess! Medyo mahiyain yata ako that night kaya di tayo gaano nakapag-usap. Hehe.
Hope to talk to you more on the next meet-up. See yah soon!
benj , on August 6th, 2007 at 20:41 Said:

Disente pa pala yung usapan nung nandun kami. haha
Prudence , on August 6th, 2007 at 21:22 Said:

to Coy: Yeah, see you soon, too!
Prudence , on August 6th, 2007 at 21:23 Said:

to Benj: Why? Hindi ba disente ang usapan tungkol sa sex?
Jhed , on August 6th, 2007 at 21:35 Said:

Waaah! Hindi na ako oorder ng drink na hindi ko pa natitikman. I learned my lesson na. :))
Prudence , on August 6th, 2007 at 21:42 Said:

to Jhed: It’s still good to experiment. Just don’t order a drink with the word “Blue” in its name. Hehe
Winners of the 2007 Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs @ Piercing Pens , on August 6th, 2007 at 22:31 Said:

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AnitoKid , on August 7th, 2007 at 10:18 Said:

Twas my first time at such an event - and me and my friends were in awe at the huge turnout. We talked to a lot of bloggers, but would have loved to meet and chat all those who attended the event. Here’s hoping that there will be another blogging event soon!

AnitoKid at http://www.anitokid.blogspot.com
Ade , on August 7th, 2007 at 17:16 Said:

I totally missed this. Bah.
Prudence , on August 7th, 2007 at 22:33 Said:

to Anitokid: Too bad I didn’t get to shake hands with you. Hmmm…maybe next time!
Prudence , on August 7th, 2007 at 22:34 Said:

to Ade: ‘Coz you’re workaholic! And maybe you don’t like Max’s chicken
Ade , on August 7th, 2007 at 22:43 Said:

But I love Max’s Chicken!
Prudence , on August 7th, 2007 at 22:49 Said:

to Ade: With the Jufran ketchup?
Shari , on August 8th, 2007 at 4:08 Said:

But I liked Jhed’s drink. Stronger, kaya rock! Haha.
SexyMom , on August 8th, 2007 at 21:26 Said:

twas nice to finally meet you, Tess, and yes, thanks again for you know what
edward , on August 9th, 2007 at 0:15 Said:

I wish I could attend that gathering but I am here in the desert, saudi arabia.
dont worry make money
and
health and wealth
I hope there will be a contest next year. “worst blog of the year”. I would nominate my blog.
Janette Toral , on August 9th, 2007 at 22:42 Said:

Hello Tess. Thank you so much for supporting this project. I very much appreciate it.

On another note, we just started the Filipina Writing Project and I hope you can join.
Bakla and the Emerging Influential Blogs Meet-up and Awarding , on August 11th, 2007 at 2:54 Said:

[...] BEWARE! ? Influential Aftermath ? An Evening With Friends ? Did You Know That? ? How I Survived The Post-Influential Blogs Get-Together (And The Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs Di… ? Lucky Blogs ? Bonding with My Friends ? Aftershock: After 3 Months of Excitement… ? [...]
fruityoaty , on August 11th, 2007 at 12:25 Said:

What, I missed out on free fried chicken, lumpia, rice, and a caramel bar? Damn geography and distance… I miss out on all the cool blogger event stuff… First Taste Asia… now this… sigh

… and I won 7th, too… and a hundred bucks in the raffle. Well, I got the $100 via PayPal… and Janette is shipping out the certificate… Wonder if she can express courier the meal to me too, hahaha (just kidding).

I wish I could meet all my fave Pinoy bloggers in person. One day.
A Month of Blog Scandals and Wars , on August 15th, 2007 at 22:58 Said:

[...] this light, I also shared some of my thoughts about it: Perhaps Benj is right for saying it’s hard to reconcile “emerging” with “influential”, [...]
- “Anyone Can Blog” | Pinoy Bloggers Society (PBS) - PinoyBlogoSphere.com , on August 15th, 2007 at 23:12 Said:

[...] this light, I also shared some of my thoughts about it: Perhaps Benj is right for saying it’s hard to reconcile “emerging” with “influential”, [...]