On friday, i will be going out of town to attend my 2nd blogging event after the Mindanao Bloggers Summit. Blogfest S0ccsksargen 2010 will happen on December 11, 2010 at Grand Ballroom of East Asia Royale Hotel, National Highway, General Santos City from 7:30am to 6:00pm. It is organized by the Mindanao's Funnest Blogging Community, the Soccsksargen Bloggers, led by Bariles of GenSantos.com. Blogfest Sox will be attended by more or less 100 bloggers all over Mindanao to learn from Philippine's most influential internet personalities. There will be 13 speakers and some of them are:

Google Philippines’ Aileen Apolo-de Jesus, Presidential Communications Operations Office Manager Jay Jaboneta, UP Diliman Department of Journalism Professor Danilo Arao, Davao Bloggers President Ria Abella Jose, Soccsksargen Tourism Advocate Michelle Lopez-Solon, Digital Filipino’s Janette Toral, Zamboanga Multi-media Guru Ryann Elumba, Web Presence Strategist Fil-Am Dale Palileo, and Internet Security Expert Bobby Soriano all willing and eager to increase your passion for the much vaunted New Media!

The speakers will be talking about various topics that will surely update and educate us bloggers. Some of my favorite topics are "Exposing Local Gems in New Media", "SEO and Traffic Generation Tips and Tricks", "Monetizing Your Blog", "New Media's Role in Business", and "Spicing up Blogs with Animation and Video" which will be given by the head of Seed Interactive, Mr. Ryann Elumba. To view the full schedule, click here.

I'm really excited to be part of this big event that will really help me become a better blogger. During the Mindanao Blogger's i was very busy as part of the organizing committee. Now, as the participant, I will really have more fun listening to the speakers and getting to know the other bloggers from different parts of Mindanao. It is also my first time to visit GenSan so im very excited to see the Tuna Capital at its best.

God Bless the Sox Bloggers and hoping to have a safe trip to the participants who will be travelling to GenSan. For more info about the Blogfest Sox 2010, visit their website here.

Hi guys! Seed Interactive is this year's official multimedia partner of Mr. and Ms. WMSU. We would like to ask your help in choosing Mr. and Ms. Photogenic by liking their photo in our FB page. A male candidate and a female candidate with the highest number of likes will be awarded as Mr. and Ms. Photogenic on the coronation night on December 4, 2010 at the WMSU Gymnasium. Each Photogenic winner will receive framed picture, sash and a free fashion shoot from Seed Interactive.

Images are not labeled to encourage voters to like a candidate based on his/her photo and not based on the college/department he/she represents.

Note: Voting ends on December 3, 2010 11PM.

To vote:
1. Visit the FB page of Seed Interactive, http://www.facebook.com/seedinteractive. Then, Click the "Like" button.
3. Go to the "Search for Mr. and Ms. WMSU 2010 Photogenic" album, link here.
5. Click the photo of the candidates that you like best. Then "Like" the photo. If the like button does not appear, go back to step 1.
4. You may click the photo below to direct you to the fb page then like the photo. If the like button does not appear, go back to step 1.

Here are the official candidates of Mr. and Ms. WMSU.


Thanks for your help! Watch out for the winner during the coronation night on December 4 at the WMSU Gymnasium.

My favorite part of Animahenasyon is the screening of the animation entries that will be competing for the grand prize. The screening were held at the Arrupe Auditiorium of Ateneo de Naga University from November 23-25, between 4:30 to 8:30 PM. The screening were divided into 8 competition programs. Here's the list of the competition programs and the categories.

Competition Program - Categories
1 - A (1-5 minutes, Professional); E (Music Videos, Professional); F (Title Sequences, OBB, Infomercials, TVC's, Demo Reels 30 seconds to 1minute, Professional)
2 - B (6-20 minutes, Professional)
3 - D (full-length, Professional)
4 - H part 1 (1-5 minutes, Student); K (Music Videos, Student)
5 - H part 2 (1-5 minutes, Student); L (Title Sequences, OBB, Infomercials, TVC's, Demo Reels 30 seconds to 1minute, Student)
6 - D (full-length, Professional)
7 - I part 1 (6-20 minutes, Student)
8 - I part 2 (6-20 minutes, Student)

Aside from the competition entries, there were also 3 special screenings that were shown before the competition programs. The first is an exhibition program titled "Persistence of Vision", a panorama of selected animation from 2006-2010. The next special program are selected works from the Gobelins, L'ecole De L'image's Animation Department. You can watch some of their works in their Youtube page here. And the last is a special program that showcased the award-winning entries from the 13th Japan Media Arts Festival.

I really loved the works of the students from Gobelins which are really professionally done. Gobelins is truly a high-standard school for animation and their works are simply the best. Anyways, as we were watching the entries, i have a list in hand and i marked my favorites. Here are my faves:

When Alma Died (H)
Mystery of the 24th (I)
Mga Damgo (Dreams) (B)
Kaligayahan (A)
Smog (A)
Sulundon (Hero) (B)
Impeng Negro (B)
A Day in the Life of Inday (A)
Sabong (H)
Bizarre Love Triangle (K)
Swan Song (F)
Pasintabi Opening title sequence (F)
First (H)
Toy Bully (H)
Cogwheel (H)
Bleek (I)
Eskeyp da Peyt (I)
Nestle Smarties (L)
Leftover teaser (L)
A Tower: Techy Boy (L)
Close-Up TVC (L)

I missed competition program 6 and 7 so i can't say which are my faves on that program. But i heard that Kapitan Torpe was hilarious. Above all the entries i really salute the makers of the first seven that i listed from above. They were really exceptional in terms of aesthetics and storytelling. And finally here are the winners according to their categories:

A - Smog by Jerome Alcordo
B - Mga Damgo (Dreams) by Remton Zuasola
D - Kapitan Torpe by Antonio Jose Cadiz
H - When Alma Died by Richmond Wesley Ruiz Tan
L - Close-Up TVC by Macelo Munoz
I - The Mystery of the 24th by Julian Santiago
K - Upuan by Maureen Romero

Special Awards:

Hero TV - Mga Damgo (Dreams) by Remton Zuasola
Audience Choice - Close-Up TVC by Macelo Munoz
Lifetime Achievement Award - Roxlee (see photo above)

Grand Prize:

When Alma Died by Richmond Wesley Ruiz Tan (DLSU-CSB)


Aside from the animation competition, there was also a Poster making competition for Animahenasyon 2011. It was open to all and had an earlier deadline. I gave it a shot and I won! :D Here's my poster design titled "AnimaDreams" and a photo of me giving my speech!


Congratulations to all winners and all the organizers for a successful year of Animahenasyon. We are truly on the way to achieve the goals of the Philippine Animation Industry. By encourging filipinos to develop their own content, we are harvesting the best of the talents that we are really proud of. Next year will be another great year. I hope that there will be more entries, not only in quantity but also in terms of quality. Thanks to Sir Mike and Ate Jzel for keeping in touch with me. See you in Animahenasyon 2011!

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Credits to Gerard Asay for the photos!

It is the last day of Animahenasyon and the closing ceremonies will be held at the CamSur Watersports Complex at 6PM. We decided to go early so that we can try their famous wakeboarding. Last night we were intoxicated with Starbucks coffee so the three of us woke up almost lunch time. We rushed to SM (via tricycle) to take our lunch and bought some groceries. Then, headed to the bus station which is just a block away from the mall. After a 15-minute bus ride (to Lagonoy), we stopped at the capitol and hired a tricycle from there to the Camsur Watersports Complex (CWC). Along the way we saw the convention center, where the program will be held later, and a lot of cabins or containers where you can stay there. Upon reaching CWC, we saw a lake with contraptions or pulleys running wires around the lake. We stopped at the reception area, took some photos and went to the resto just behind the reception area.


It was raining hard and the wind was freezing cold so we ordered some hot choco to keep us warm. The people there were very accommodating. I really like menu which is shaped like a board. The walls were decorated with boards too and photos of famous boarders with their autographs on. The place also has a free wifi access. Good thing we had a laptop so we can update our fb's.hehe. There is also a shoppe where you can buy authentic boards, board shorts, shirts, shoes and memorabilias like CWC ballers and lanyards.

After an hour or so, the weather became okay and my sister and i decided to try some wakeboarding. The rental for a board costs 165 pesos including the helmet and life vest. Then you have to deposit 500pesos which will be returned to you upon return of the helmet and vest. You also have to use board shorts and a shirt that is comfortable to use. Because it's our first time, they told that we should try the kneeboard first. They gave us a 15-minute allowance for our briefing and orientation before we could start kneeboarding.

For my first try, i was very very anxious. I was there in the launch pad when all of the sudden these flock of students appeared in the coast nearby. My anxiety plummeted as the thing (the one that pulls the cable) was drawing near me. Then suddenly the cable snapped. My heart just dropped, i thought that was it. For a couple of seconds, we gave it another try. For the second time, the thing draw closer and i said to my self this is it. All eyes are on me and they are like freakin expecting a great show. Then, the thing grabbed the cable that i was holding into and i started to move. The instuctor said that in the start i have to keep my head down and firmly hold the handle in a fetal position. The cable just dragged me all the way to the middle and curved to the right. Then i relaxed thinking that i just have to do the fetal position during the start. The cable just grabbed by upper body and I lost my balance. I released the handle and saw myself underwater. I just felt the audience's dismay and just laughed as defense mechanism.

My sister was next and she kneeboarded smoothly like she did it a hundred times before. I was like "how did she do that!?!?". So i tried and tried until i got the technique. It was really tiring especially in the upper body. I have to exercise more and life weights so next time i can ride the board all day and maybe learn how to truly wake board. Well, for my first time it was really a learning experience for me. Now, i'm a certified boarder and the next time i go back to CamSur, i will surely do it again all day!

Day 2 of Animahenasyon started with a Webinar with one of the most respected filipino animator in the industry. He is the assistant director of our favorite animated series, The Simpsons and won an Emmy for its episode titled "The Simpsons - Eternal Moonshine of the Simpsons Mind". He is Mr. Jess Española, a full-blooded filipino raised in Pampanga and finished his studied at University of the Philippines with a degree in Fine Arts.

Mr Jess gave an inspiring speech about his life. In his childhood years, life hasn't been easy on him. He cannot afford going to school and his only dream was education. With his perseverance, he was able to graduate while working part time making drawings and using his raw talent. In high school he served as the school artist. He is known for his creativity and sheer talent in drawing. Because of that he decided to take Fine Arts in college, graduated and worked.

His big break was given to him when he was sent to America. He didn't have any type of portfolio but still worked hard to impress his boss. Indeed, Jess was an excellent animator and proved to be one through years of hard work and constant improvement and adjustment to his new home. Now, Jess is the assistant director of the show The Simpsons which is famous for depicting an all-American family with a lot of culture, social commentaries with a great sense of humor. He said that the show is very popular not because of its intricate animation and effects but because of the way how they tell the story.

We had a forum and a very interactive chat with Mr Jess while he is live in America. One of the most important discussion was about the Philippine Animation Industry. What he observed is that Philippine Animators are no doubt very talented. In fact, many animation companies outsource animators here in country for its talent and easy communication since Filipinos are English speakers too. However, it has been years since Filipinos have been working for Filipinos but we never had our identity of our own. America is known for its Disney style and other types of animation. Japan has Anime and European countries are very excellent in animation like France. Philippines is a hub of talent but we didn't have the opportunity to develop our own style of Animation. Many suggested that the government should take part like what Japan and France did. To have the top quality of animation, we should have the bests of teachers, students, artists, animators, directors, writers, and all the technical expertise. But only few companies can do that here.

Talking about developing our own style of animation, Mr Jess expressed that in order to do that, we must not copy the western style or japanese style of storytelling or animation but rather serve an inspiration or create a hybrid with our own style that we can create out of our own culture. We must start by developing the local animation industry like producing animated series or shorts that reflect our own culture and that can really tickle the Filipino audience using our own stories and talents. When the local animation is fully matured and has its identity, the international audience will soon notice and appreciate it since they always look for something new or strange to them like what we have. It our task to discover it and make it a reality but we have to really focus and commit to it. However, we cannot do it on our own because of the lack of support of our government and local investors. TV station would rather subscribe to foreign animations and the government does not really see the potential of the industry.

That's me in blue jacket. haha

Mr. Jess admitted that the local animation is still way behind in terms of story telling and technicalities. Even the first few full-length animated films that we had is not quite "there" yet. He even had criticisms about some details but still he is trying to be positive. He is very supportive of the industry here and is very willing to spare his time whenever we need it.

We really had fun during the talk and he said that he was really enjoying having the conversation with us. Even though he stayed in US for years he was speaking Tagalog with us and he admitted that he still finds difficulty in speaking English. He is also a great sense of humor which his boss and colleagues really like about him. Though he cannot deliver an American joke, they still find his filipino jokes funny. What is great about the Simpsons is that it reflected the multi-cultural aspects of America.

One person asked about his success. He said that sometimes success is measured through money so he said that he's not quite successful yet cause he is not yet a millionaire. But being an award-winning animator is the pinnacle of his success. Because of it, many recognized the amount of contribution that the Filipino talents shared in this great tv series. Some even don't know that there are Filipino animators, too. Before, he was just a poor boy whose only dream was just to have an education. Now, he is the first Filipino Emmy winner.

Mr. Jess is such an inspiration to all of us. I am glad just to be there and be filled with all his wisdom and insights that he shared to all of us. Thanks to Animahenasyon for making this possible and it was really a one of a kind event. I hope that there will be more Filipinos who will reach this kind of success including myself. So to everyone, keep on dreaming and persevering so that someday you will find yourself in the pinnacle of success.

Here are some links that you might want to visit:

Jess Espanola - Internet Movie Database
Jess Espanola is the first Filipino to win an Emmy award

Thanks to Gerard Asay and Inquirer.net for the photos :D

4th Mindanao Bloggers Summit
October 29-31, 2010
Ciudad de Zamboanga
[Register Now!]

Blogging Seminar
October 29, 2010
College AVR, Ateneo de Zamboanga University

Mindanao Bloggers Summit Proper
October 30, 2010

Time	ACTIVITY
7:30 AM – 8: 30 AM	Registration
8:30 AM – 8:40 AM	National Anthem and Opening Number
8:40 AM – 8:50 AM	Welcome Remarks	Ryann Z. Elumba Lead Organizer
8:50 AM – 9:10 AM	Keynote Address	Hon. Celso L. Lobregat Mayor, Zamboanga City
9:10 AM – 9:20 AM	The Mindanao Bloggers Community	Oliver “Blogie” Robillo Founder, MB Community
9:20 AM – 9:30 AM	Introduction of the Guest Speaker
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM	Message	Sen. TG Guingona III Senator, Republic of the Philippines
10:00 AM – 10:20 AM	Intermission/ Sponsor Talk
10:20 AM – 10:45 AM	Blogger’s new features	Aileen Apolo-de Jesus Google Philippines
10:45 AM – 11:00 AM	Blogging for Education	Ericson Alieto Faculty Member, Western Mindanao State University Ischools Camp Blog Representative
11:00 AM – 11:10 AM	Intermission/ Sponsor Talk
11:10 AM – 11:35 AM	Marketing your Blogs through Social Networking Sites	Janette Toral DigitalFilipino.com
11:35 AM – 12:00 NN	Open Forum
12:00 NN – 1:00 PM	LUNCH/ NETWORKING
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM	I Juana Change: promoting social change through video blogs	Mae Paner a.k.a. Juana Change
1:30 PM – 1:50 PM	Intermission/ Sponsor Talk
1:50 PM – 2:20 PM	The role of new media in nation building	Jay Jaboneta New Media Head at Presidential Communications Operations Office Government Administration | Philippines
2:20 PM – 2: 50 PM	Report on Internet Governance Forum, 5th Meeting in Lithuania	Oliver “Blogie” Robillo Philippine Delegate to the 5th IGF
2:50 PM – 3:10 PM	Intermission/ Sponsor Talk
3:10 PM – 3:40 PM	The Mindanao Peace and Development Framework Plan	Mindanao Development Authority
3:40 PM – 4:00 PM	Open Forum
4:00 PM – 4:40 PM	Regional Bloggers Communities Reports
4:40 PM – 5:00 PM	Closing Remarks

Philippine Blog Awards
October 30, 2010
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Zamboanga City Tour
October 31, 2010

Wow. It's already October, which usually means it's fiesta pilar and finals season for me. Now its all about work work work! Post-September for me was a busy one. I finished 2 album layouts for mr. jouie, had event coverages, did errands for 2 big contests here in the city, and ended it with a party for my mom's birthday. Post-september and pre-october is a fashionable one for me. The fashion fever started when we had post-debut video and photo shoots for Catlyn, whose party theme was Paris Fashion Week. We did the glamorous trailer which also served as the official invitation. Then we had an event coverage, which is the fashion show, Fashion Revolution, a grand fashion event headed by the alumni assoc of claret. Then we also sponsored two fashionable contests, 2010 Miss Zamboanga Pageant and Top Model Search (The Mannequin) where we covered the whole event (from screening to contest proper for a minimal fee), created the AVP's for the contest proper, and designed the posters for the event. It was such a funny experience being the AVP guy, imma tell you about it soon. We also had a fashion indoor shoot with some models for Donald Green's collection. After the photoshoot with the models, we had a pre-debut indoor shoot which is a first for us. Then we also covered her debut party which was at freakin Ipil, which is three hours away from the city. But i really enjoyed her party :D And to top it all, my favorite tv show ANTM Cycle 15 already started (which i watch at youtube coz we don't have a cable channel at home that match airs the show). However, i was disappointed because we weren't able to watch the Zamboanga Mascota fashion show and competition because we had an event coverage a while ago. Anyways, i guess the fashion fever is finally over, and the fiesta fever will soon come to me. I'm looking forward to see the annual regatta (race of vintas) and street dance competition next week. October will be a fun month, i guess. We will also be busy in preparing the fast approaching Mindanao Bloggers Summit (register now!). I think we're not prepared yet but i hope we will get through our busy-ness and finally focus with this event. I really hope it'll be a successful one. So that's it, imma leave you with one of the AVP's that we did for Miss Zamboanga where the candidates introduced their selves not in the traditional way. It's past 3 in the morning and i want to blog more but i have to rest now. I'll post the photos and video's of all of these happenings soon. Good day!

Hello Filipino bloggers! The Mindanao Bloggers will be having the annual Mindanao Bloggers Summit (MBS) soon. On its fourth year, MBS4 will be held at Asia's Latin City, Zamboanga. Headed by the Zamboanga Bloggers, MBS4 will be part of the city's lineup of activities of this years fiesta Pilar celebration. Mark your dates on October 29 to 30, 2010, for this will be the day of the 2-day event. On the first day, a series of blogging seminars will be conducted for the new bloggers to make their blogs a successful one. The summit proper will be on the second day, October 30, at Zamboanga's finest hotel - Garden Orchid Hotel Convention center. Well-known bloggers and personalities are invited to share their knowledge and meet you there. With a minimal amount of 500php, you will be registered to the summit and enjoy the whole day affair with Philippine's best bloggers with quality accommodation. This year's theme is "The Mindanao Project - Weaving Voices Online."

The goal of this years summit is to promote advocacies for bloggers to ponder upon. Despite of the situation of Mindanao and Philippines in the international scenario, we bloggers are the voices that can tell the world are side of the story. Through blogs we can uplift our country and help promote positivity to our fellow. MBS will surely be an event that you should not miss. The Zamboanga Bloggers have prepared a lineup of activities that will surely make your stay here in Zamboanga a fresh experience. We will also show you the beauty that Zamboanga is hiding behind its image. Zamboanga, as a melting pot of people from different walks of life has a rich culture that is unique to any part of the country. So what are you waiting for? El Cuidad de Zamboanga is waiting for you. Register now in Mindano Bloggers official website. For more information about Zamboanga City, visit HolaZamboanga.com here. And for more information ab out the Mindanao Bloggers summit, click here. Please visit the official facebook page of Mindanao Bloggers Summit 2010 here.

Dear blog, sorry if i dont have anything to post this few days. I have been very busy with meetings and layout for wedding albums. Last week, I finished one album already and i still have to wait for the approval of the client. I hope they like the design and layout because it is really graphical and colorful. The the theme is retro or vintage raging from victorian designs to psychedelic sixties pop art. This week im making a layout for a client of another photographer who we use to work with during weddings. I will feature him soon :D This album doesn't really have a theme so it will be just a simple, elegant layout with a touch of my modern design. I have two more albums to layout and hopefully i will finish them by the middle of the month. Oh yeah, its already September! Oh how time flies quickly. This month, well be having a couple of events including a wedding this friday where i will do the editing for their onsite video. We will also have an improvised photobooth where we will use a Canon Selphy Printer. I already designed the layout for the photo-souvenir and backdrop for the booth, and i also made the growing up video presentation. Tomorrow, i will prepare the video loop which will used as a backdrop for the stage during the reception. So thats it, dear blog. Ill be blogging more of my works and experiences soon after all these mayhem. I gotta lot of things to blog but i have to rest now so imma leave you with a preview of the retro-themed album that i was talking about. :D Truly yours, csz97. ^^