WordCamp Philippines badge1

I remember reading about Wordcamps only in my U.S.-based WP users/friends blogs and felt quite a bit envious, wondering why they’ve got so many blog-related events, conferences, and gatherings over there.  There are even podcasting camps!  But then, soon, the premier event for Wordpress users and developers will be arriving in Philippine shores!  Wordcamp Philippines 2008, as organized by some members of the Mindanao bloggers, will be held on September 6 at the College of Saint Benilde in Taft, Manila.

Organizers seem to be still in the process of drafting the schedule of activities during the event.  But, as posted on the website, the Wordcamp will be having the following components:

  • Deployment (Usage) Track
  • Development Track
  • Panel Discussions
  • WP Install-Fest
  • After Party!

Yeah, and guess what?  I’m as much excited with the usage track as with the after-party!

As a beginner level user of wordpress, it’s much appreciated that the organizers have developed a separate track for the developers.  Much as I wanted to know more about the advance uses of wordpress, I feel that it’ll be better if wp users who intend to be more of users instead of developers stay on different sessions as compared to the more experienced developers.  It’ll be much easier to learn when you’re with people who’re more or less on the same level as you are, instead of risking being lost along the way.

I have already registered for the event (see the registration page) but, since my schedule is very much volatile due to a planned change of work, I’m hoping that I could really be available to attend the event.  After all, it’s just for one day.  And the event is a first for the Philippines and in Asia, I think.  So, I’m crossing my fingers.

The following companies are sponsoring the event:

I hope to see y’all bloggers there!

Coke seems to be exerting all possible efforts promoting their new product, Coke Zero, as there’s another event similar to their “surprise” last February but, this time, sponsored together with SM Hypermart: the Buhay Coke ng Bloggers with SM Hypermarket.  This happened last June 27, Friday, at Taste Asia in SM Mall of Asia.

This time, I did not come alone.  I was with my friend, Ailyn, currently a non-blogger but, with a little more prodding, might go into blogging (or maybe not.  She doesn’t even check her email and Friendster page.  Hehe).

Well, at least, I think she enjoyed having encountered Marcelle’s magic:

His hands are too fast!

As for photos of the event, I really wasn’t able to take photos that much.  But I’ve got some videos!  Here, take a look at what happened during the party (warning: the video is about 30 minutes long.  I patched up all the videos together to make it one continuous movie):

I spent most of the night hanging out with Jon, Sarah, my friend, Ailyn, Arbet, and Pierre.  Though I wasn’t able to take pictures of other people, I still have some that I could share:

Plurk Addicts

Arbet, aminin mo na…you’re not innocent!

Is that Mica’s guardian angel?  Buti mabait pa din si Mica…


Alcoholic Angel


Am I hearing wild protests about the Jester wearing the angel’s wings?

Model of a Convert-An-Atheist website

So, after some time of post-partying (drinking more beer), I went home with my box of new Coke-designed dinner plates, spoons, forks, and glasses.  And since I’m only taking the public commute home, I gave away my 1 case of Coke Zero.  It’s okay, though, because I’m living with diabetics.  It would be unkind to be perpetually tempting them to drink Coke Zero.

Maybe I should bring my glucometer on Friday’s event just to check the blood glucose levels of those people who had been chugging cans and cans of Coke Zero since the last party.  Hahahaha.

Other’s who have also posted about this event:

Happiness = Coca-Cola by Aileen Apolo
Free Coke For You and Me and For The Entire Human Race by Jehzlau
Buhay Coke ng Bloggers With SM Hypermarket by Ka Edong
Buhay Coke Bloggers’ Party with SM by Azrael
Buhay Coke Bloggers’ Party Aftermath
Love in the Time of Coca-Cola
I am such Rascal by Mistervader
Buhay Coke ng Bloggers: An Aftermath by Godiane
Buhay Coke by Galwin Fabian
Ang Saya Dito Sa Coke Bloggers Party by Websaytko
I, Paparazzi: Coke Event At Taste Asia in Photos by Fritzified
SAints and Sinners, Angels and demons by Jester in Exile (in his new home)
Buhay Coke ng Bloggers by BrownPinay.com
Before Us The Coke Deluge by Arbet
Snaps From Buhay Coke by Baratillo.net
Just Been From The Buhay Coke Ng Bloggers
Buhay Coke ng Bloggers Party
I Went To The Coke Event With A Tripod Not A Digicam by LaTtEX
Brighter than Sunshine by Helga
Something Sweet & More
Buhay Coke Bloggers Party by Arpee Lazaro
Buhay Coke Zero Party Arpee Dances Banana
Melo Villareal
Xeemomma
I’ll be A Vampire Again in A Few Days by Rockerfem
Buhay Coke ng Bloggers by Brian Ong
Buhay Coke ng Bloggers Taste Asia by Micamyx
Buhay Coke by Jason King Ong (the Banana Dancer)
A Coke Affair by Cigarette Girl
Buhay Coke ng Bloggers At SM Hypermart by Ade Magnaye
Coke Zero and the Buhay Coke Contest
Buhay Coke ng Bloggers by Animetric
Buhay Coke ng Bloggers: the Aftermath by Rockersworld
Buhay Coke ng Bloggers by La Bubbly Chica
Cosplay at Buhay Coke Party by Tanggera

More Sites To Satisfy Your Thirst For Buhay Coke Photos!

An Apple a Day Photos
Superbong
Hrudu
Micamyx
Fritz the Paparazzi
Juned
Juned’s Flickr
Noemi’s Photos
Nina

If you’ve been paying close attention to plurk and twitter recently, perhaps you already know about Buhay Coke ng Bloggers with SM Hypermart blog event/party.  And most probably, you’ve already signed up for it :-)

But just to let others who’re yet unaware of it know, I’m posting the basic details here:

What: Buhay Coke ng Bloggers with SM Hypermarket (party ito!)
When: June 27, 2008, Friday, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Taste Asia (beside SM Hypermarket) at the Mall of Asia
Why: Para magsaya! Loads of prizes up for grabs!

You could come in an angel or devil costume and have the chance to win more prizes (I’m thinking of going as Death from the Sandman series, but I’ve to starve myself so I could get an authentic look.  Ahahaha).

And seriously, isn’t one case of Coke Zero to take home enough to convince you to come down to this party? :-)

To register, please visit Aileen Apolo’s blog post announcing the event.