Day: September 20, 2008
My Vote Goes to…
It’s funny and a tad bit ironic. National and local elections always leave me with no choice, but times like this, I end up having so many good choices that I can’t choose.
I’ve held back this long in voting for The 2008 Philippine Blog Awards‘ Bloggers’ Choice Award because decisions are hard to make. The final showdown has found me torn between giving additional love to Filipino Voices (you remember I voted for the site in the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2008), and supporting the owner of the blog I’ve admired for so many years, bikoy.net (who’s also a Bloggers’ Kapihan crew).
I adore/love/worship Bikoy, really, but I guess the slight edge goes to Filipino Voices being that it’s the more objective choice, hehe. And really, who can ever resist “Hugz from Jester“? NYA! 
I kid, I kid. 
FV inspires change and betterment. A collaborative blog of great Filipino minds (although I don’t always agree) that takes a stand, but doesn’t stand on the sideline. Bold and critical social commentaries that make your brain tick (like neurons!…but I guess that’s too geeky a comparison).
Seriously though, I can’t say anything that wouldn’t sound patronizing, so I’d just shut the hell up and ask you to visit the blog — see for yourself why Filipino Voices is a good pick, and why I chose it.
Although they didn’t get my vote, I’m personally vouching for these other nominees also:
- Batang Yagit
- bikoy.net
- Buhay Coy on Campus
- ederic@cyberspace
- FruityOaty
- Heart of Rachel
- Mike Villar
- The Journal of The Jester-in-Exile
If in case you haven’t voted yet and don’t want to vote for my choice, you should visit the sites on the list and consider voting for one of them. Of course, I’d prefer it if you vote for Bikoy, but really, it depends on your choice as a blogger. Bloggers’ Choice Award may be based solely on popularity, but you can break the chain and vote for what you personally feel deserves the award. 
Danny Lim and Our Lady of Peñafrancia
Last Saturday, as Bicolanos celebrated the feast of the Virgin of Peñafrancia something stirred the curiosity of those who joined the “traslacion”, the procession transferring Ina, as they call image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia , from the basilica to the Metropolitan Cathedral of Naga City.
Around the city, there were several streamers that proclaimed “Viva la Virgen de Peñafrancia”. Below was the name and photo of Brig. Gen. Danny Lim, who is now in detention for allegedly planning to withdraw support from Gloria Arroyo in February 2006 following the expose of the Hello Garci tapes and in November 2007 following more scandals the most bewildering of which is the NBN/ZTE deal.
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Arroyo’s team to US: more than 70
Inquirer’s Christine Avendaño reported that in Arroyo’s trip to the United States this week, she is bringing along more than 70 people, acording to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.
As in every foreign junket of Gloria Arroyo, the Filipino people become million of dollars poorer with all the expenses in airplane fair, hotel, food, allowances.
It was only last June that Gloria Arroyo was in the U.S. with more than 60 congressmen while the Filipino people were reeling from the lashing of typhoon Frank. Former ambassador to the U.S. Ernesto Maceda gave an idea the expenses incurred in a presidential foreign trip.
Here’s Maceda’s estimate based on an “official party” of more than 20:
YOU are invited to Enchanted Kingdom
… this year at the 28th of September, that is a Sunday. What is special on that day? OtakonEK 2008, a pop culture mania of comics, gaming, anime, manga, movies, and cosplay. Get to see collectibles, toys, and your favorite comics, manga, and anime characters come alive, walking around Enchanted Kingdom.
Still a no? You do realize that this is the first time the Philippines will have a Cosplay whole day in open grounds, right? Yes, there is no reason for you to miss this one.
Here are some more details:
OtakonEK Promo
Cosplayers can enter the event and park free-of-charge. You just have to register here.
Toy Show
Filipino Toy groups will showcase their toy collectibles from Zoids, G.I. Joe, Transformers, to the latest in Anime toys. Get a chance to meet fellow toy collectors and have a fun-filled otakuness disucussions with them!
Enchanted Kingdom like never before
Sure you’ve been in Enchanted Kingdom before, but was there ever a time where you get to see your favorite characters running around the grounds or perhaps scream with you? Now’s your chance. (Depending on their costumes, they may or may not be able to join you in certain rides.)
Games and Constest
What is an Anime/Manga event without Anime singing contest? Or maybe an event without Anime dubbing (you could land a job too!), and ever seen a similar event without an Art Contest?
Photography contest
Oh, this is new, at least for me. There will be two contests - [1] Cosplay Photography; and [2] PC Digital Focus Contest. Just visit visit the contest page for more details.
TV5 Anime Cosplay contest
If you Cosplay one of the anime characters being aired in TV5 (formerly ABC5) then you get a chance to win an Ipod Shuffle.
Bands Performance
Bands?! Yeah!! Alice Cafe, Rakuen Science, Haponesang Dilat, Mango Tigers, Harakirijiro, Himitsu Heiki, AsianChickenFest, 7Thvrsday, Molded Sushi, Rtschrck will all be in OtakonEK LIVE!
Cosplay Contest
And of course, the Cosplay Contest, I’m sure the fact that you are reading this is because of the Cosplay. Are joining as one of the cosplayers or as a cosplay(er) fan? It doesn’t matter, coz this one is a day to remember, nothing like any other Cosplay events in the country.
The Sponsors
This will not be possible without sponsors like TV5, fudge, CVC, CSCentrl.com, Playground Magazine, Bounce Magazine, Creati Voices, Wacom, Otaku Zine, Tag, Power Mac Center. Of course together with Enchanted Kingdom, Azrael, and ToyCon. (I hope I didn’t miss anyone.)
So, see you all there next week! Okie dokie?
For more details, cosplay rules, event schedule, and other information, just visit the official website.
Watch out for photos and event report ^_^
Original post blogged on Snow World @gameshogun™.ws Blognet.