Author: ajay

Note: This post is adapted from my Manila Bulletin Blog-O-Rama column for April 27, 2009.

Because of the popularity of blogs these days, some companies are joining the blog mob or the blog bandwagon. There’s really nothing wrong with this. A corporate blog, after all, is another way to connect with your customers or market on another level. And a blog, if put up well, can project more warmth and candidness than a generic press releases would. It is an affordable, high-impact way to get your message across without the expense of multi-million campaigns.

On the other hand, a corporation or company should also ask itself if a blog fits their marketing goals. It is really not for everybody. Sometimes, it can make a firm vulnerable to unwanted “blog storms” or security lapses and make its stand on certain matters open to interpretation. That’s why I’d suggest that entities think long and think hard before starting a blog. Here are some suggested things to do:

1. Get to know the bloggers and be acquainted with the blogosphere. Don’t go into it half-blind. Have a feel of its inner workings and familiarize yourself with basic netiquette. Make an effort to hobnob with chief influencers and walk their talk, if necessary. Find out how they’re talking and what their impressions are about YOU.

2. Write down your blog goals before stepping into the action. As every company has a business plan and feasibility study, so they should also treat their blogging venture like it was a real business. This includes mapping out what the introductory post would be, the overall thrust & tone of the articles to be written and how to go about making the blog a success.

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The Inquirer’s breaking news as of 9:35 a.m. today: Juday and Ryan Agoncillo say ‘I do’ today - no other details given.

Abs-cbnnews.com also put it as happening “somewhere in Luzon.”

It was a wedding that was kept under wraps up to the last hour, and known only to their closest family and friends. They were celebrities, but looks like they succeeded in making their wedding a very solemn, touching affair. As of early morning today, young superstar Judy Ann Santos married her sweetheart of four years Ryan Agoncillo in a private, out-of-town ceremony - somewhere in Batangas province to be exact.

Although the “unimpeachable sources” of Inquirer showbiz columnist Dolly Ann Carvajal says the wedding will take place May 2 in Tagaytay, our own sources said the wedding already took place today in a church in the beach town of San Juan, Batangas. And the guest list was kept to less than 100.

Some important details: Judy Ann wore a Paul Cabral gown and megastar actress Sharon Cuneta was reported to be the matron of honor (or at least an important part of the entourage). Reception was breakfast, not lunch.D

We wish Judy Ann (a.k.a Juday) and Ryan the best in their new life together!

Ryan first proposed to Juday in May last year, at the Antulang Beach Resort in Negros, Oriental. That is why the couple have also planned a series of post-wedding receptions at a beach in Batangas that we dare not name now.:D The fact that the celebrity couple (who will appear soon in an ABS-CBN show ‘George and Cecil’) kept it very hush-hush and engaged media in a guessing game is admirable to say the least. It seems family members, guests and suppliers were sworn to secrecy about the wedding. We like it when public figures and celebrities do not engage in a circus, as expected of them. A live media coverage of a solemn event such as a wedding takes the essence out of it. (what more in something shocking, as the death of Ted Failon’s wife) Am sure Juday and Ryan didn’t want to exchange vows amid the glaring lights.

I’ll probably write more in my new wedding blog later

This is a rather late reportage on last week’s launch of the new line of HP Mini notebooks. It includes an upgrade of their 2133 model via the new HP Mini 2140 and their 1100 PC series which is priced for as low as P18,950. The fashion-conscious will surely like the HP Mini 1100 Vivienne Tam Special Edition specially because it’s in red and has a stylish design of peony blooms. Retailing at P27, 950, HP is highlighting the desirability of this “digital clutch” by saying that only 250 pieces will be available in the Philippine market.

We saw former beauty queen Miriam Quiambao modelling the Mini in its full glory and Cosmopolitan editor Myrza Sison was indeed so lucky to get the gadget in the night’s raffle. I do like the HP Mini and the fact that it’s getting good reviews. Maybe there’s still space for this in the next bonus? hehe. I do believe that something like this will make a good supplementary laptop, if you’re not comfortable carrying your more expensive laptop around because of increasing incidents of laptop theft. Take note that this notebook is just about one fourth the price of a Macbook. Plus it’s lighter and smaller too!

Specs for the new HP Mini 1100 include an Intel Atom N270 processor, Windows XP Home operating system, integrated webcam with built-in microphone and 10.1-inch diagonal widescreen display. Not to mention the fact that it’s less than an inch thin and is ultra-lightweight (a little more than a kilo)>

If you’re a resident of Manila or just happen to be dropping by, make sure to visit the next Aliwan Fiesta. Since this year’s edition is over, we congratulate the organizers and the participants for making the event such a beautiful attraction - rains, traffic and all

Simply amazing were the floats which reflect Filipino artistry and ingenuity. What you can see here: the vibrant colors of the islands, the expert use of indigenous materials, and lovely festival queens atop the floats with dancers and musicians swinging to the beat of the rhythm.

Winners have been announced in the million-peso extravaganza and proclaimed first place in the Float Design competition was the entry from Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

I took a picture of the winning float yesterday, which was simple yet exquisite. The figures in native Filipino costumes are actually moving and rotating to show they are dancing.Laoag was also the winner last year.

The float from Baguio, famous for the Panagbenga festival, was adorned with flowers (as expected), including everlasting.It got runner-up honors, along with Parul Famil Shah who was their festival queen.

The entries from Mindanao were really replete with colors, and Cotabato won second place.

More pictures of the winners:

Contingent from the Aetas, one of the indigenous communities in the Philippines.

The complete list of winners:

Dance competition

1st - Buyogan Festival of Abuyog, Leyte
2nd - Kasadyahan Festival of Tribu Kasag, Iloilo
3rd - Dinagyang of Tribu Paghidaet, Iloilo
Runners-up:
Siloy sa Alcoy
Karatong
Ibon-Ebon
Kalilangan
Kadayawan
Lapay Bantigue

Float Design:

1st - Laoag City’s “Abel Iloko”
2nd - Cotabato’s “Lemba”
3rd - Iloilo’s Tribu Paghidaet
Runners-up:
Limbonan
Panagbenga
Ibon-Ebon
Pakaradyan
Lambanugan
Kaguinakit Ta :aya
Aeta

Festival Queen

1st - Sian Elizabeth Maynard of Cebu’s Sinulog
2nd- Romarie Ivy Cunanan of Gen. Santos City
Runners-up:
Aliah Heitz - Kadayawan sa Davao
Parul Famil Shah- Panagbenga
Kate Lao - Pamulinawen Festival

Holy schmoly, it’s my first time to cover a festival in the history of this blog. This is the Aliwan Fiesta Grand Parade which was held today (April 25) at the CCP Complex grounds and then culminating at the Quirino Grandstand.

The erratic weather threatened to dampen the festivities, as it was raining in Manila for the past few days. So my mantra was to shoot while the sun was out and then leave early, before it became cloudy or dark.

If you’re a tourist or even a Manila resident, you’d surely have fun watching a sampling of Philippine festivals. Aliwan is not to miss because almost all regions of the Philippines’ 7107 islands are represented. The costumes and floats are colorful and elaborate. You’d also have an idea of the religious and folkloric undertones behind the festival. Most of all, you’d feel alive because of the beat of the drums, the chanting and the dancing. Enjoy these first batch of pictures. Photos may not be reprinted without permission from annalyn.net

This maiden in white represents the wetlands of Candaba, Pampanga. The swamp of Candaba is known all over as a refuge of more than 80 species of migratory birds, some of whom are considered rare.

More people-watching:

The event program said the Grand Parade would start at 3 p.m. but it was past four in the afternoon already and the march hasn’t started. So I don’t know if the following pics have something to do with it, LOL. Kid shown in photo below is frowning, while the other contingent is sleeping!

Viva Aliwan Fiesta!