Misteryosa is hands down the clear winner for personal blogging - an organic independently produced blog by a single person who writes about her life, and well-designed to boot. You might think I am bias perhaps, because I like Shari's politics, but keep in mind that part of me long for Jessica Zafra to win (I grew up reading and listening to her body of works). It's just that the design of Jessica's blog is plain vanilla, and that in order to comment you have to go through the hoops of registering. Conversation is the bloodline of blogs - a blog with the comment turned-off is not a blog.

On the technology category, it would have been great if Yugatech won. Forget about the conflict of interest, Abe Olandres is THE technology blogger of the year. Still Max Limpag can out-CMS most Filipino blogger, Chin Wong like Max is a good reporter and can out-Open-Source most, Ia is one of most promising best blog designer around, PinoyMacLovers has one of the most tight blending of adsense on blogspot I've seen, while Jaypee, well has a good-looking avatar... just kidding... Jaypee's knack for good commentaries is an example as to why you should avoid the echo chamber that has plagued most tech blogger.

Is it just me or could it be possible that the candidates of the Best Photo Blog form a group to take on Frommers, Frodor or Lonely Planet?

I have already blog about the Best Designed Filipino Blog last year, but let me just state quickly that Jorge Cosgayon of Far from Neutral deserves to win - good blog header, creative positioning of trails (tags, filed under), nice integration of ads, and it works across browsers. I also like the judges choice for the Best Free Custom Theme. Blu3zin3 by Tew Reonal of Cureless layout is good, and is plain enough to customize. Ditto for Mark Seguerra's iPap.

The Comedic Prowess of both Kwentong Tambay (see also Book Review: Kwentong Tambay) and Happy Slip (see also Happy Slip: 2nd Place at the Youtube Video Awards), won over the judges, and unsurprisingly so.

What was surprising about the Philippine Blog Awards event is Father Stephen Cuyos giving invocation. According to Inquirer Bloggers:

"He calls on bloggers to use blogging for God’s work and to be “bloggers for truth.”

I would very much like Gail, Abe, and Jayvee to respond to this one. Are Blogging events religion now? What's next prayer meeting for Bloggers? I didn't write anything when I saw the video of Bo Sanchez recruiting speech at Blog Parteeh, because I thought it was an oversight on the part of the events group, but this happened twice already.

Blogging event is supposed to be a secular activity. All across Europe and America prayers and religious conversions in public meetings are outlawed, because it is no matter how you look at it wrong - unless of course you're George W. Bush's dawg. If you're a Christian, would you pray using a Koran envoked by a Muslim public speaker? If you're a Christian and was forced-fed to take a Muslim vow in public you would probably be insulted. Likewise non-Christians who heard Father Stephen Cuyos sermon probably felt alienated and insulted.

I didn't know Blogging Events can be converted into a religious recruitment camp. Here's a genius idea for the next blog meeting to really pump up the religious ante: A pledge to legislate mandatory praying on every blog events that will ever occur in the Philippines History.

WINNERS

Sassy Lawyer: All in all, I think the first Philippine Weblog Awards went well. However, I feel that there is truth to criticisms that some of the finalists, including one blog that won, do not really embody the intention to pay homage to “grassroots bloggers” who have built up their blogs from their own efforts, as it says on the Philippine Weblog Awards site.

And, now that it is all over I can say this, as a judge I sought the disqualification of at least one finalist because more than half of its content were photos lifted from other sites with strict ALL RIGHTS RESERVED notices on their pages. I just don’t feel it is right to give positive recognition to any blog whose owner does not respect other people’s copyright.

Max Limpag:
I first got word of last night’s win from The Sassy Lawyer, who was also given the Blog Achievement Award for The Mommy Journals. She called me up as soon as my name was called...The award also comes at a time when I’m starting to feel a closure on The Independent Post episode. The settlement of that case has lit a surge of energy in me I haven’t felt in years.

bizdrivenlife: I am honored to have this blog win the best business/entrepreneur award during the Philippine Blog Awards 2007 held at March 31 in the RCBC Towers, Makati.

ederic@cyberspace:
Maraming salamat po sa mga bumubuo ng 2007 Philippine Blog Awards–sa pangunguna nina Abe Olandres, Gail de la Cruz-Villanueva, at Jayvee Fernandez, sa pagkakaloob sa akin ng Globe Broadband’s Pinoy Ako special award ng pinakaunang Bloggies sa ating bansa. Maraming salamat din sa mga nag-text at nag-comment para bumati sa akin dito sa blog ko mula pa kamakalawa ng gabi.

Señor Enrique: Just learned this morning that I won the Photo Blog of the Year award. This is, unarguably, a prestigous win for me! I'm at a loss for words right now.

Misteryosa: I was honestly stupefied when my blog’s name was called as the winner for the Personal Category.

Dessert Comes First: Thanks to my readers, fellow food lovers, and those who love dessert as much as I do. It’s a relief to know that I’m not the only one who looks at the dessert menu first before the main course.

Far From Neutral: Thanks to everybody who dropped by and left a comment, I appreciate the thoughts. Too bad I wasn’t able to attend; I’d have loved to meet pretty much everyone who went. I do find it ironic that the event’s rules would have prevented me from entering the hall on account of how I look (because I don’t own slacks or shoes, just jeans and slippers), but they were fine with how my blog looked. But like I said, their event, their rules.

Tew @ Cureless: The venue was only about 75% filled and the event would have been better with everyone around especially the finalists. Some winners weren't there so the organizers received the awards for them. Nevertheless, congratulations to all of them (us pala!). And to the organizers and the volunteers, most of all for the successful event.

Rebelpixel: iPAP won the “Best Plugin/Extension” special award in last Saturday’s 2007 Philippine Blog Awards! I would’ve written about it yesterday but realized it wouldn’t be so real especially if blogged on April Fool’s Day.

Ivan Henares: Ivan About Town was named Best Travel Blog at 2007 Philippine Blog Awards! I found out about it from text messages of fellow finalists Bikoy and Karlo who were there at the event. It was depressing not being able to attend since I had wanted to meet fellow bloggers whom I've known only through their blogs. But it was physically impossible for me to travel from Batangas City to Makati in time for the event.

Retzwerk:
Oh man talk about suspense! I was hyperventilating for a couple several minutes. Then the presenter (to:JunAsis pa-pm name ng presenter sobra excited ko nakalimutan ko): And the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards winner for Best Entertainment Blog is… Retzwerx - Pinoy Big Blogger! Super Ecstatic!

MarketManila: I simply couldn’t believe it myself! Out of 60 nominees for the Blogger’s Choice Award… when the emcees said “And the Winner is…MARKETMANILA!!!” Mrs. Marketman had to hit me on the arm and say “That’s you, dummy!”

Bryanboy: You know, I don't even consider my blog as a "fashion blog"... we all know my taste in fashion is highly questionable. No. Erase that. We all know I have NO taste in fashion AT ALL! Helloooo I've got a lifetime membership on the tacky express train! I'm really honored with the award!

Toni @ Wifely Steps: I still can’t believe it! Wifely Steps won last night at the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards under the Home and Living category. Wow! Two words capture this whole experience: disbelief and gratefulness.

Noemi: The best thing about receiving the Family Blog award is that my whole family attended the Awards Night with me.

Well Whatever: And I wasn’t expecting it. Not at all. The only thing that matters to me that night are the raffle tickets. I was bothered. [Double check] I’m such an OC. [Triple check] I think I missed /duplicated a number. LOL.

Kwentong Tambay: sabi ko sa mga kaibigan ko, kung sakaling manalo ako ay kunin na lang nila ang trophy. sabi ko rin, kung hindi ako ang manalo eh kunin nila ang trophy doon sa nanalo. hehehe. sana nga ay may tumanggap ng trophy at cash prize. teka muna… may cash prize nga ba?

PRAYER IN NON-RELIGIOUS EVENTS

Benj of Atheista: I hope the organizers (and the person who would lead the invocation next year) would be more sensitive about this issue. If they have no plans to make ammends with this snafu, then I suggest that they implicitly call the next edition of the awards the Philippine Christian Blog Awards.

Jomar @ You Will Be Forever: Benj and other non-religious folks must remember that they are in the Philippines and prayers before events are standard. THIS PRAYER w/c is so significant that I'd suggest to to get Father Cuyos as co-HOST next time.

Shari of Misteryosa: Praying, a standard? Since when? And to quote myself, “if it really is, it shouldn’t be”. Funnily enough, it reminds me of my pro stand regarding the legalization of divorce in the country. Just because the Philippines is a country predominated by Christians, it means that the Philippines is a Christian country. Please do check your biases in place.

Benj of Atheista: Prayers are not standard. The University of The Philippines (the bastion of collegiate education in this country) discourages praying before events that are attended by a diverse audience. Seriously, Jomar and his ilk (the presumptuous and bigoted kind) are the very reasons why religious wars happen - and that’s not even an exaggeration. Recklessly claiming that sheer numbers can justify acts of bigotry, insensitivity and intolerance is simply nonsensical and illogical.

Sassy Lawyer: religious invocation, delivered by the clergy or ANY or ALL denominations, has no place in a non-religious event. That was my gripe against one school that my kids’ attended in the past.

Alex Maximo: I think that the PBA is a great endeavor and I hope that Benj’s call would not go unheeded the next time there is a blogging event. If we’re all for the freedom of speech in the blogosphere, I hope that we exhibit the same open-mindedness in terms of belief systems.

Manuel L. Quezon III: On a related note (to Easter and the religious festival it’s part of) the event was apparently not without incident, as Atheista complained about the content of the invocation (not having an invocation per se) that began the program (in Bayanihan Blogs Network, though, the invocation was described as witty).

Ganns Deen: The Philippine Blog Awards, however, was no longer just a webspace. It was a gathering of people, not all of whom share the same beliefs - religious, political, whatever. What should have united every person in that theater that night was a healthy respect for each other as individual bloggers, all coming together to recognize that we are all equal - as bloggers, and as people.

Despite my being a Christian, I feel very strongly about recognizing and acknowledging Benj’s point that a more universal prayer or moment of silence would have been more appropriate. There was a point in my life when I was on the other side of that fence, when I was just like Benj. There was a time when I denied the presence of God, and did my part in trying to convince others of my beliefs. I can understand why he feels the way he feels. I may not have expressed myself the way he did, but I can see where he’s coming from.

Kutitots: Remember, there is a big difference between a constructive criticism and one that is not. I’m glad to see that there are a lot of constructive criticisms aimed for the improvement of the event. But unfortunately, there are some that aren’t—and even encouraged promoting discord.

Baratillo @ Cubao: Speaking for myself and only myself. There were times when I slipped away from a mass when I found out the priest was using his pulpit to attack personalities or support causes he believes in. There are times when a priest playing politics really becomes offensive or when a group decides for my good that this book should or should not be read. And there was the time I opted to leave a Catholic group that insisted on following pre-Vatican II beliefs and had a policy of stifling the mind.

But… For me I find it hard to be offended by Fr Cuyos’ Blogger’s Prayer because (i) it is a call to do altruistic things it may call upon a divine entity to inspire but at the very basic it is a hope that blogger do something altruistic (ii) It doe not call on hate (iii) It does not force you to become Catholic

Fighting Gravity: I don’t see anything wrong with invocations or acts of faith done during any event of any nature, as long as they are done within reason. For non-religious events, like the PBA, the suggested1 moment of silence would be appropriate.

I do, however, agree that the inclusive nature of the prayer was inappropriate for that event. But I think all this unrest and fighting over a priest’s few words, which for all we know may not have been intended to come across the way it did, is already too much. This is definitely people being too sensitive. “Apathy Towards Zealotry Is Not An Option” is one of the blog entries integral to this ongoing controversy. While the author made valid arguments, the title of the post is a fine example of exaggeration.

Tess Termulo: The right that has been trampled on was the right for deliberate consideration for a difference in beliefs. If the invited bloggers knew that what they would be attending is a Christian gathering and still they willingly came, then they should be expecting Christian ceremonies there. But this wasn’t the case in Philippine Blog Awards. People were invited and they attended because they knew the event was about blogging and giving of awards in recognition of exceptional bloggers. No need to inject religion there when it is unnecessary.

Well Whatever: Below are my personal commandments in expressing views. A checklist for me to avoid controversies and continue to live young, beautiful and stress-free. Haha.

01 In the absence of proof, I am probably wrong. So don’t assume. 02 Dualism excludes, pluralism includes. Be conscious of being pluralistic. 03 I am responsible for what I say and do. 04 But I can’t force other people to take responsibility for what they say and do. 05 Perfection is not possible nor desirable. Respect individual differences.

Deuts: This prayer was actually the invocation at the successful Philippine Blog Awards last Saturday by Fr. Stephen Cuyos, which eventually drew a lot of controversy, especially to the non-believers.

Istambay in Mindanao: I register my respect to the concern raised by Benj, but not as an atheist. I am an advocate of inter-religious dialogue and respect for other religions. I think lessons should be learned from the incident.

Manuel Viloria: OMG Geez Boy, have times changed! Now I'll be more careful when I'm asked to deliver the invocation before company parties, seminars, and other secular events. Yep, it'll be more along the lines of: "Let us pause for a moment of silence, to show appreciation and gratitude for that which our diverse beliefs make each of us thankful for..."

Stephen Cuyos: I am only offended when I am coerced to pray, when I have no other choice but to say a prayer against my will - which was not the case in the Philippine Blog Awards 2007. I offered a prayer but nobody was forced to pray with me nor to accept the words I uttered as doctrine. You could have left the auditorium or closed your ears or did some other non-violent action while I was praying, and I would perfectly understand your disagreement to my invocation.

Micketymoc of Stepping on a Poop: I find the “if you don’t like the prayer, you can just leave” argument rather specious. Especially since it seems to come from someone who helped to organize the event. Why would you invite people of all beliefs into a single gathering, then throw in a sectarian invocation when a number of the crowd don’t belong to the sect in question?

This is a community event: everybody’s supposed to celebrate, together. So why design the event so certain parts apply only to certain people? Clapping one’s hands over one’s ears is not an option. And walking out certainly isn’t an option, either. What of the people who disagree with Fr. Cuyos’ plaint to be “steadfast in Christian commitment”? What of the bloggers who have no intention to “proclaim the word”? Are they simply expected to put up, or shut up?

apples-pie: I think the non-working day given when Ramadan ends came about because Muslims form a big chunk of the Philippine population. But what about the INC? Mormon? Jehova’s Witness? Atheists? Agnostics? Protestants? Baptists? Don’t they have special days that they would like to be given time off for - to celebrate it? When are these holidays?

Rebelpixel:To us PBA07–aware pinoy bloggers, can’t we all just agree to disagree?

BLOGGING: RIGHT OR PRIVILEGE?

Bikoy:
My attendance in the blog awards simply reinforced what I believe the situation of the ‘blogosphere’ is. Almost all bloggers in the Philippines today are still middle class and upper class urban Filipinos, most of whom are in Manila. And in lieu of the facts that the Philippines is a largely rural country, and a vast majority of Filipinos are still without internet access, I honestly believe that this so-called “Philippine blogosphere”, (and this may run in contrast to how other present Filipino bloggers perceive things), is barely Philippine or Filipino at all.

With our pride and energy as bloggers, should also come the humility of realizing that “we” bloggers are not that much relevant. NOT YET, at least. I don’t even think the internet will play much of a role in the upcoming local and national elections without our dependence on mainstream media. This passion and hobby of ours is still a very ‘burgis’ preoccupation, really. But this should not stop us from pursuing greater relevance and inclusive reach.

JJ: "BAWAL ANG PROXY DITO." And the group laughed in a humiliating chorus, much like an avante-garde choir trying to pull off the Hallelujah Chorus. Imagine that. FUCK. I swear I could've killed the person who said that. Even if that was a joke it was still tactless enough to offend the most insensitive of guests.

Nostalgia Manila: To my disappointment, it was sad to hear JJ’s accounts of how he was mistreated by some of the volunteers.

Bulletproofvest: While I was reading this, it (dis)pleases me to know that nothing in the physical world has changed (contrast to the virtual world, where bloggers exist). Filipinos still unwittingly enforce classes, and we half-begrudgingly accept it. As JJ stumbles through like an immigrant in a new country, he belies the class structures so systemic in our lives that we seldom see it.

Yugatech: I wanted to write about this a long time ago but kept it off until today when I read several comments about the Phil. Blog Awards. Yes, blogging is a privilege. It is not for everybody. It is only for those who have internet access. It is only for those who have enough time on their hands. It is only for those who have something to write or say.

Bulletproofvest: But this is where we most differ, Abe. I think blogging is a right. It is possibly the most free form of speech out there, for I can launch profanities and never feel embarrassed. And I can access the minds of complete strangers, and make their days possibly more interesting.

Blogging is as much a right as voting -- if you make the distinction that only those with internet access have the privilege to blog, then our disabled voters who cannot make it to the precincts on their own strength need not vote. Not to mention the millions of Filipinos overseas. Blogging is a right, and to say it is a privilege only affirms -- engenders -- the same hegemony that an unsuspecting blogger like JJ would find to be provocation.

Nagueño in the Blogosphere: I don't know with you, but I will have to disagree with Yuga here, and agree with Benito (Bulletproofvest) -- for a slightly different reason.

Yes, the lack of internet access, time and facility for language are formidable barriers to blogging today. But their existence does not make blogging less of a right that every citizen should have the freedom to enjoy -- or decide not to enjoy at all.

Ticket to Living: However, what's really painful for me to read are the views of some of the organizers of the PBA. Blogging is a privilege by those who can afford to have net access. now this is just plain sad. real, yes, but sad. while it's true that only those with net access can blog, i find it sad that an "awards" organization chooses to limit its vision among the "privileged" and the "privilege".

AWBholdings: If blogging is not for everyone, then freedom of speech is not for everyone, too. So why bother with a Constitution? Besides, those who advance this line of argument only emphasizes the fact that we live in a class-based society.

Andrew @ Alleba: Blogging is a way of expressing freedom of speech. We are all born to express whatever it is that’s on our minds. I have that right, and I chose blogging.

I too believe that blogging is a privilege. I know it seems a bit elitist, but come on guys. Get real. Not everyone can be a blogger just like not everyone can be a talk show host or a radio announcer. If I feel that talking on television is my way of being heard, then screw me for not having enough resources to run my own station complete with high-tech video cameras, set designers and cameramen. Screw the government for not making that a right for every Filipino citizen!

I.T. Talks: My friend Adrew seems to think that, because we are a poor country then it’s a preposterous idea that all Filipinos could be blogging, and so somehow it follows that blogging is a privilege. In my opinion, this is false logic. It is not a preposterous idea: merely an unlikely one. Further, I know of a number of people who consider themselves monetarily marginalized but are nevertheless bloggers. (And by the way, Drew, apologizing for sounding elitist doesn’t excuse nor discount elitism. ;) )

My thinking on this, however, is this: there’s no need to argue whether blogging is one way or the other. What’s important is that it is a free medium of expression.

Noemi: Eventually we learn the lesson that we need to allow ourselves to be vulnerable enough to feel hurt or insulted. In the end, we stop holding others responsible for our pain and we take responsibility for all our feelings. Accept those feelings dear Blogie and release them. It goes the same to the other bloggers who felt alienated, annoyed, insulted or humiliated at the Philippine Blog Awards. Accept, Own your feelings then let it go. We learn from all these. It won’t stop me from being a volunteer or a donor in next Blog Event.

ABOUT THE EMCEES

The Bachelor Girl: In this vein, as a director, I would like to offer some suggestions as to how the event may be improved in the future.

Delete the invocation... Get a professional host... Write a script... Make cue cards... Improve the video quality...
Lower the Philippine Blog Awards signage... Use an instrumental music bed... Disqualify judges and hosts from any category or special awards... Get another caterer... Open the event to more streams of people... Get an airlines sponsor.

hipncoolmomma: I saw Toni and her hubby who's seated right in front of us, Toni bagging the Best Home and Living Blog category...congratulations! Funny how Toni was excluded in the announcement of the finalist in that category, and that her husband had to point out to the emcees the screenshot being flashed on the stage.

imho, even if her blog was not listed in the script, those emcees should have known since they were bloggers themselves, one even mentioned that she went through all the blogs of the finalists last night).

Ajay's Writings on the Wall: There were a few boo-boos (such as “the two emcees” who my media companion found “vapid” and “annoying” to the max.. quote unquote) but the artwork and stage design made by SheeroMedia really rocked!

Manila Gay Guy: I attended the Philippine Blog Awards — and I saw how so many gay guys were into blogging! Even organizers Yuga and Jayvee seemed to me like that they are one of us! Congrats to Bryanboy for winning the Beauty and Lifestyle Category. The event was a great first, except that the program hosts were totally inept — the whole audience tuned out within 3 minutes of their blabber.

Empress Maruja: Mabilis namang naraos ang Awards Night. Masaya ang pa-raffle, happy ang mga winners, kaya lang hindi maiiwasang mapunahan ang low energy ng crowd. Bakit nga ba? Dahil ba likas lang talaga tayong mahiyain?

Alam niyo, may naisip akong dahilan… WALA KASING “BEST GAY AND LESBIAN BLOG.” I’m sure hindi lang si Bryanboy ang magbibigay-buhay sa awards night na ‘yan kapag may ganyang category (at malamang kinarir ko talagang pumunta sa awards na naka-ball gown…huwag na lang, walang kakasya).

Biruin mo, ang category na ito ang magdadala ng sandamakmak na palakpakan, tawanan, tilian, hiyawan, kutsyaan, at bulyawan (“Bakla salot!”) all in one venue. Saya nun ever!

Aileen Apolo (mirror @ Multiply):
The audience was quite... quiet! Well, they're bloggers! And bloggers are supposed to be noisy online and not really offline. (And I was right, the blogosphere's full of PBA stories). Pffft! I hope we didn't bore the audience....

Sasha @ The Parody: There’s wisdom in all of these. I firmly believe that. Change is imminent. Perhaps when all the confetti have been swept off the floor, the plates and champagne glasses are piled high on the kitchen sink, and all we hear is the tapping of our fingers on our keyboards will we begin to understand that petty is a small word to describe everything that has transpired. What truly matters is our answer to the question, Why do you blog?

ADOBE USER GROUP PHILIPPINES

Adobe User Group Philippines: During the meet-up, we had a brief meeting to update the members about the plans for AUGPhil this year and upcoming events, . I was glad to announce the talks we have been having with several potential partners to strengthen AUGPhil’s presence and improve the activities. Defintely, AUGPhil will be a better organization as time goes on.

Bob Reyes @ Turfsite Manila: After the Awards Night, the scheduled meeting of the Adobe User’s Group Philippines pushed through at the Starbuck’s inside the mess hall of the RCBC Plaza. It was attended by 12 members, including me. We raffled one (01) Adobe Creative Suite (CS) 3 (licensed). Nope, it was not me who won the software, but managed to bring home one (01) Adobe gel pen and one (01) tumbler from the raffle.

Reprise Now: After the award show, Augphil members met up at starbucks...and raffled off a LICENSED Adobe CS3 product.... whoohooo... but well, i didn't win tho..hehe.. aww..too bad..but it's alright.. not my luck. all of us we're given official adobe products too (adobe ballpeeenn)...

Standard Web Standards: I was also busy attending to the Adobe User Group - Philippines members who were in attendance, thus not being able to meet more people than I hoped.

Azrael Merryland: Im a fresh member of AUG Phil, a group for people who uses tools made by Adobe. And it was great meeting them after the Philippine Blog Awards and Its my good timing to join when they raffled out a new Adobe CS3 software, sponsored by Adobe. oh wow!!

Stellify:
Finally, the big one. Regnard draws a piece of paper, walks a few steps to read the name, returns to sit down, and announces, “And the winner… is none other than the person who did not know she is a member.”

AFTER PARTY

Joey Climaco @ Jobarclix: i deliberately left my camera that night beause i knew there would be a wild afterparty. an hour later we were in shangrila edsa downing free cans of beer and vodka and a selection of maki’s and i knew i was getting drunk coz i caught myself spilling details of my last sexcapade. which is not really something to be proud of.

apples-pie: The open bar was a great idea and it more than made up for the teenee weenee assortment of food served. That does not say though that the food was not good, as in fact it was great. I love the pinoy nachos - which tasted like fried wanton wrapper sprinkled with hoisin sauce. The spicy seafood pasta was good too and although the restaurant is famous for barbecue, it was a challenge trying to eat the pork barbecue they served using plastic utensils.

What lacked in good food, was made up by the abundance in interesting conversation. I was fortunately seated with a group of bloggers who engaged in various engaging topics that went from politics, to education, to sex, to Raul Gonzales, to families, to sex again, and Shari, to loving Kris Aquino, and stealing iPods, and bloggers, blogging events, to cameras, and girls, to young bloggers and old bloggers, kamasutra, OhMiBod vibrators, to Fr. Cuyos‘ blogger prayer - whose paper version my husband got from the man himself.

There was also talk of religion, and Catholicism, and serious questions on differing faith, and a lot of other brain-twister out-of-the-blue, meant-to-shock you questions that made us wonder how much iced tea Jomar really downed.

Sorsi: Actually, when the night was still young and the alcohol hasn’t gotten around, I was lost in techy conversations, geek gossip, and blog lingo…I was sooo lost in what everyone was saying and kept urging Abe to get some alcohol already (Abe, inom ka na! Abe, bat iced tea ang dala mo? Abe, tapos ka na kumain, inom ka na!). By the time we had our after-after party at Jay-J’s, the topics were already those I could finally engage in…boobs, poypoys, how to know if a girl/boy is ‘game’, how to subliminally get someone to think you’re sex-eh!, barking and biting… etc. Yehehessss! Party time!

juicelog: After the awards night is the post-awards party at hula hula in Shangrila, we got another round of food and drinks here. Hehe, I didn’t eat much though because I’m filled up already.

Billycoy's Blasted Brain:
Pagdating sa Hula-Hula bar, dun nakita na nila sina L.A., Philippine Blog Award 2007 Winner Shari, Jomar, Pierre, Chris, A.J., Jeff, at the rest ng mga bloggers. Bumaha ng alak at iced tea saka nagkaroon ng stampede ng Maki. Halos malunod na nga si Jomar sa iced tea. At akalain mo ba naman pati ang underaged teeny-bopper incoming UPLB freshmeat na si Utakgago ay nakiinom at sinasaway na nga dahil underage pa at may curfew pa siya. Natapos ng maayos ang gabi sayang nga at walang gulo at gangwar na naganap, dahil mas enjoy sana ang gabi kung magiging madugo at may magkakalat na body parts.

Byahilo: After the program Bikoy, Ayeen and I, then went to a post-awards party thrown out by the Philippine Daily Inquirer (tama, sila nga ba?) there we met Anton Diaz again, and the guys behind the Podcast Noypi.com.

Misteryosa:
Yuga and the rest left. We migrated to a table outside so Jester could smoke. Red Horse, tagay pa! We talked about a lot of things — yes, yes, the topics, and more. Finally decided to go home at 7:30am. Took a cab to Cubao and went our separate ways there.

Byahilo: After the ceremony, Bikoy and I proceeded to the Hula Hula bar and Resto at the Streetscape, Edsa Shangri-la for a mouth watering pasta sushi and some more foods! Drinks were overflowing. It’s just so bad that I can’t indulge myself in a vodka spree that night since I still have to report for work just before midnight.

STORIES

Cyberbaguioboy: The post below was done several hours ago. By this time, some of the winners and organizers are out partying. In my case, I need to shut down and rest. Good night world!

Tess Termulo @ Prudence and Madness: I was able to attend the Philippine Blog Awards 2007 this night because I’ve only a whole day clinic and no night hospital duty. But then, I can’t really stay late in Makati or in Shangri-La where the post-PBA party is happening (as in happening RIGHT now) because the last FX to Bulacan is leaving at 10 PM. So no post-blog awards party for me.

Sonnie @ sesantos: Activities like this, in my opinion, will take blogging to the next level, but stakeholders must keep the upward momentum and the suggestion of Dave is worth looking at. Likewise, the efforts of these people deserves a pat rather than criticism. Of course, there’s a lot of room for improvement.

Dave Llorito: I was happy I attended that event, for several reasons. First, I met Sasha Manuel (a multiply contact) personally during the night and shook her hand. Second, I met Sonnie, a fellow finalist and another Multiply contact, and we had some initial talks about a possible blogging project. And third, I won gift certificates for four boxes of Crispy Crème donuts during the raffle. I hate donuts but I’ll pass it on to office mates who are not afraid to get diabetes. That would make them smile and I’ll be happier.

PM + DT: I was also surprised to see that Happy Slip won the Podcaster of the Year award. She really deserves it. On the other hand, I think there should be a Best Vlog category and her site should've been categorized "there." It may sound befuddling that my relative inkling for Podcast's definition is that it's something audio. So, it may merely mean sound sans the moving picture. Anyways, there's this term called video podcasting. So, Podcasting might just be a general term incorporating two media: video and sound.

Bikoy: It was my first time to attend any bloggers’ event, convention or gathering. I felt quite uneasy at first, especially since everyone else seem to have already acquainted themselves well with each other. It’s quite an insecurity of mine... Congratulations to the event’s organizers. Everything seemed to have went very well. It was also nice to finally meet for the first time the people behind all those notable blogs.

Toni @ MetroBlogging Manila: Cocktails kicked off the evening, with the judges, finalists and guests chitchatting and posing for the cameras. While the awarding ceremony started an hour late, the guests used the extra time to mingle some more and meet other bloggers. While we were in our semi-formal, it did seem like one big EB. ;) Smiles and laughter were all around, including lines like "I thought you would be taller!"

My iLife: A photog and fellow webmaster Melo Villareal of LakbayPilipinas was also present for the awards night and was so excited to see a long photo-buddy. He is representing Jessica Zafra's blog site who is a finalist for the Personal Blog Category. We had talks on our adventures in Vigan for a travel assignment.

Ganns Deen: I’m beside myself with joy! Toni, one of my bestest friends in life and blogdom, won the Philippine Blog Award for Home and Living last Saturday, for her blog Wifely Steps! Yahoo! ...Well, I’m outing myself. I nominated you, Toni! Hee hee hee! Surprise!

Kiven: By my estimate, around 100+ bloggers where in attendance. even Bryanboy was in attendance.

Corsarius: After enduring two hours of waiting (”Filipino time” is wait lang! time) — happily taking forbidden shots of the venue, sipping Starbucks Venti OurMoneyDownTheDrainicino Latte, and generally complaining between the two of us about the said Filipino time — we had to sit through another hour or so of the program proper.

Jaypee Online: I wasn’t able to attend the awards night so I had to wait until the official site of the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards displayed the results. Although JaypeeOnline didn’t win the Technology category, it has been a fun and learning experience for me to be a part of this year’s Philippine Blog Awards.

Whispered Odd Wonderments: So they didn’t win. But I think my two friends, JaypeeOnline and Noeluvia, still deserve a heartfelt congratulations on their respective nominations of Best Technology Blog and Best Blog Design for the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards. Who would’ve thought that personal blogs would eventually grant 15 minutes of fame?! And make that 15 hours in the case of Happy Slip, who has already been all over Revver, YouTube and Valleywag since her first post in September 2006. I suppose if I ever hope to make it I should at least start by having more than three measly posts a month. Hah!

Marie Vergara: We didn*t get home empty handed because aside from the loots, our ticket no. 160 won a 500.00 peso worth of gift certificates from one of the sponsors, Krispy Kreme. Wahoo!

Suzuku Lace: We were there! It was on a Saturday night and I went with Azrael and Michelle. The venue was great ^^ there was also food but i wasn't able to get some ahahaha, i was really hungry that's why i noticed. But i went home with Krispy Kreme.

Frank Hilario: I understand the Philippine Blog Awards was the idea of Abe Olandres (yugatech.com/), Gail dela Cruz-Villanueva (kutitots.com/) and Jayvee Fernandez (abuggedlife.com/). In late 2006, they thought of this project ‘to recognize quality content in the Philippine blogosphere’ (souvenir program). I salute them for believing, first of all, in themselves, and in the Pinoy Blogger.

Jonas Diego of The Blurb!: Easily the most glitziest event I went to for the first quarter of this year, The 2007 Philippine Blog Awards was one star-studded affair as the who’s who of the Philippine blogosphere converged on the Carlos P. Romulo auditorium last Saturday Night at the RCBC Plaza.

Jozzua: Why Your Company Should Sponsor Blogger Events...If you are a company owner who wants to push a new brand or product targeted to the Internet-savvy/techy market, then you should get to know these people. Get to know the people who blog and INFLUENCE surfers opinions.

juicelog: Aba, pinatunayan nilang lahat (mga organizer) sa aming mga bloggers na hindi lang basta basta itong event na ito dahil bigla na lamang kaming pinatayo para awitin ang pambansang awit.

Asteeg: The Dork Factor: Last night was really fun! Way too fun for a dork like me. It’s probably one of the best nights I’ve ever had. Haha! Yeah, I don’t have that much night outs, so this automatically becomes my best night. Haha!

Kalansay sa Baul ni Heneroso Bistokya: Nakita ko si Bryanboy sa Philippine Blog awards mga katoto, katata, katiti, at akalain mong hinigop ko ang aking lakas ng loob upang magpapiktyur sa kanya, pumayag naman siya at biglang yumakap saakin para sa isang malupet na posing. Akalain mo iyon mga pips, isang sikat na blogger, kasama ko sa litrato?

Myepinoy: It is somewhat funny that my bola ng tennis na butas and my small brain got nine(9) out of the fifteen(15) awards from the Main Category and Special Awards combined. Please see my list below and the final results. NO, I did not have insider information similar to that of Martha Stewart. How I came up with my list, please ask my butas na bola ng tennis and my little brain. Do you want to try?

Rickey @ Pinoy Rickey: Retzwerx won Best Entertainment Blog at the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards. Of course I’m bitter! Hahaha.

PHOTOS

Buddy Blogs: [photos of the awards building]

Pinoycentric: [PBA committee member]

Jester in Exile: [during and after photo]

baratillo @ cubao: [Snaps of the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards]

departing at wasteland @ Multiply: behind the blog awards

Shari @ Multiply: behind the blog awards

Karla Redor @ Flickr: PBA 2007 Photoset

Juned @ Flickr: PBA 2007 Photoset

Anton @ Flickr: 2007 Philippine Blog Awards

Shari @ Flickr: 2007 Philippine Blog Awards

tonigirl @ Flickr: Photos from PBA

cyberbaguioboy @ Flickr: Photos from PBA

Project Manila: [Photos of Bryanboy]

The Lonely Vampire Chronicles: I Won… the iPod Video in the raffle. =P

Ching Wong: I’m sitting here at the Globe booth just outside the Philippine Blog Awards, waiting for the ceremonies to begin. After more than a year of communicating with him on the phone and online, I finally met Abe Olandres, one of the organizers and, as it turns out, my Web host, too.

Karla Redor @ Rockersworld: The blogging superstar Bryanboy was there and everyone would want to have his or her picture taken with him :D . Also, the invocation by Fr. Stephen Cuyos caught so much attention from the crowd

The Awesome Planet: The celebrity of the night is no other than Bryan Boy and I did not hesitate to have a picture (or is it the other way around -- I wish :) He really arrived in style in the red carpet during that time and he posed for the cameras to the max. He is very nice and easy to talk to and his celebrity status did not get in the way of meeting other people. She was the most photographed person that night and she was also the talk of the town because she brought her yaya with her in full maid custome.

Beautynomics: Was a little bit too shy to actually mingle around, and I was more observant rather than being sociable. It just might be that I am in awe of this world that is presented to me - full of people with passion for writing, and expressing their thoughts, sharing a piece of oneself to the world - just as we are, Filipinos, very loving and giving people. Even I, would give my lipstick to someone really in need of it. Or share my tanning oil.

Chris Havarata @ in restrospect: i am a part of the blogging community and i consider the top honchos of the community as MY stars… i still get edgy around the likes of Yuga, Gail, and Jayvee, the trio who spearheaded last night’s 2007 Philippine Blog Awards, considered as the wacky trio of the blogosphere.

The Unlawyer: I got a real kick out of seeing a page from my site flashed on screen for everyone to see.

Mae: The Philippine Blog Awards was a successful event, nevermind that some finalists did not showed up, could it be because of the attire, perhaps? For a first awards night, it turned out pretty well, the audience is one of the most unresponsive audience though... Anyway, the best thing happened to me last night. I finally met Connie and got to take a photo with her, how cool is that?!

Nestle Poell: Everybody was wearing a their best suits - all in coat in tie. I would have worn the same tight outfight, but hey, im not even a finalist :P I’m just on my jeans, polo and white rubber... Shops closed 2am Hula Hula but the party hasn’t ended yet. We then headed to Jay-J’s Chicken Inasal Bar somewhere at the Vargas St.

Pinoyfood: Josiah’s Catering as a major sponsor for the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards provided a sumptuous spread with a variety of tasty dishes that perfectly complemented each other. There were dainty sandwiches and a cream cheese pasta, which went well with the pork bar-b-que.

The Smart PDA: Geeks are geeks, wherever they are. At the after-party subsequent to the 2007 Philippine Blog Awards, over some free alcohol and beer, I was involved in a discussion about mobile services. And we all agreed that most companies haven't managed to maximize the potential of the mobile market.

Mike Villar: In this episode, I talk about my adventures in the recently concluded Philippine Blog Awards, the I.ph blogger meet-up, how Bryanboy stole my phone and how I ended up spending the night sleeping on top of my friend Adam's dining table.

waukster: Anyway, the event could have been better in terms of production and logistics, but you really can’t blame the organizers because they weren’t professional events management people. The event was made by bloggers who didn’t have training to mount and host something as big as this, but it was really a good effort. Hopefully next year will be bigger and better. If I’m still blogging by that time I’d probably volunteer to help.

Ironwulf: It was like a giant EB with a semi-formal attire. hehe. I was there with fellow finalist Karlo of Sleepy Traveler and our friend Tonette. I must commend the organizers Jayvee, Abe and Gail as I could see the hard work they did on setting up this event. Though it could use a bit of improvements on some areas, it was successful nonetheless.

PRODUCTION

Rico Mossesgeld @ Fool for Five: The 2007 Philippine Blog Awards was totally different. None of the awardees were asked to pay for anything (save of course, for the cost of transportation to go the event). The organizers—with the invaluable help of the sponsors—shouldered all the costs. They bought the trophies, paid for hosting, rented the venue, etc.

In fact, some winners went home with some freebies. Jorge Cogsayon, who won the Special Award for Best Blog Design (congrats pre!), left the building with a brand new all-in-one printer! Figuratively at least, since I had to bring home the prize for him! :P

Jomar of You Will Be Forever: Your ushers were also Nomimees, Finalists and volunteers. So they're no expert ushers --so please feel free to excuse their inappropriate remarks and such. They kindly volunteered their time, they deserve some slack for boo-boos you might have seen them make.

We'll have a human bingo next time, okay? We'll force you guys AGAIN to interact.

Marc Villanueva: These blogs are the blogs that demonstrate how diverse, alive, and powerful Pinoy bloggers are. Congratulations once more to all the winners and to all who participated in this first ever Philippine Blog Awards 2007. Kudos to Abe Olandres, Jayvee Fernandez, and my lovely wife Gail dela Cruz-Villanueva for spearheading this event.

We should also recognize all the hard work contributed by fellow bloggers who whole-heartedly volunteered to organize and make this event a reality (ahem… making the Flash presentation and short AVP the night before the event was so tiring but very fulfilling… ahem! ahem!). Next year will be bigger and better.

ORGANIZERS

Abe Olandres @ Yugatech: Today marks the day when we bring blogging into a new level in the Philippines. We will show everyone that we are serious about blogging.

Jayvee Fernandez @ abuggedlife: So indeed, Mike Abundo was right after all when he said that social media, as it seems, is the way to go. And this all hinges on the fact that we as Filipinos, sincerely enjoy each others company, finding the most profound or absurd excuses – like this “awards night” for instance — to meet up, network, and grab a beer.

Gail dela Cruz-Villanueva @ Kutikots: Seeing the support everyone gave for the Awards is overwhelming, and makes the stress and hard work all worth it. It’s not everyday that you see bloggers of different age and profession coming together in one place, celebrating the recognition of the country’s finest. This, my friends, is the reason why we do this and why we’ll continue doing this. I might be getting ahead of myself for saying it, but we will have the Philippine Blog Awards as long as there are Filipino-made blogs on the internet.