A group of Filipino Bloggers is setting up a formal organization with the induction of its officers and members on December 18.
Philippine Bloggers Network or PBNet (http://bloggers.net.ph/), is formed by Filipino bloggers who aim to professionalize the blogging industry by conducting seminars and fora that are designed to help bloggers in taking online publishing to professional levels.
Louis Casambre, Department of Science and Technology Under Secretary and Executive Director of Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO), inducted the officers and members of PBNet. In his keynote address as PBNet looks for a brighter year ahead, “2015 will be very special. It will be the first year of Philippine free wi-fi and hopefully TV whitespace, which have the power to bring what all of us have been enjoying for so long. With these two, next year is our chance to fix the digital divide in our country and provide Internet in unserved areas. We should all rally behind it for next year to make it work.”
PBNet members have been forging activities since 2013. This year, during its first general membership meeting last May 17 held at its Official Headquarters at vOffice, Bonifacio Global City, the following were elected as officers:
Raffy Pedrajita (http://digitalspidey.com/), President;
Ian Irving Bacungan (http://theroguewriter.net/), Vice President Internal;
Ron Villagonzalo (http://wahpinas.com/), Vice President External;
Rafael Pekson II (http://miniphilippines.cm/), Secretary;
Arabelle Jimenez (http://arabellejimenez.com/), Treasurer;
Marlon Magtira (http://techTV.ph/) and
Azrael Coladilla (http://azraelcoladilla.com/), Directors.
Other members of the group include:
GianCarlo Viterbo (http://gadgetpilipinas.net/),
Mary Anne Barbieto (http://buhaykuneho.net),
Edel Santiago (thekitchengoddess.blogspot.com),
Eli Villagonzalo (http://elifestylemanila.com),
Myrna Roman (http://myrnaroman.com),
Enzo Luna (http://juanmanilaexpress.com),
Ted Claudio (http://wazzup.ph), and
Irene Enriquez (http://girlygeek.ph).
With their own respective niche followers as online publishers, PBNet members cover travel, food, lifestyle, technology, , motoring, telco, business, and entertainment industries.
Pedrajita, Magtira and Bacungan promote blogging insights in Bloggers’ Hour radio program every Friday, 11:00AM-12:00NN at DWDD 1134lHz Katropa Radio with live streaming over http://dwdd.com.ph/ .
Villagonzalo, Pekson, and Enriquez are advocating freelance and work at home employment and entrepreneurship through a series of seminars.
In his message during the officers’ induction, Pedrajita said, “As PBNet aims to develop and enhance the skills toward responsible blogging of its members, the organization will be gearing up to spearhead in educating Filipino bloggers on ideal manners and proper ethics in delivering digital publication.”
“Being at the forefront of providing significant and credible information, PBNet will become the premier bloggers’ organization in the country,” Pedrajita said.
Aside from giving out seminars, PBNet members have various talents like production of shows, Azrael Coladilla has been spearheading ToyCon for many years now. In t he limelight of digital photography are Eli Villagonzalo, Raffy Pedrajita and Ted Claudio, though most of the PBNet members have their own DSLRs.
Members of PBNet are also Brand Ambassadors in different categories, such as Telco, Social apps and mobile phones.
PBNet aims to have more activities to enrich the blogging industry in 2015 and possibly recruit new members which is part of the expansion program of the group.
Blogging is now considered the new “online media”, which is gaining popularity and attention with media, press, and vendors.
