Political Arena

Social media sites like Facebook, Friendster, Plurk and Twitter are such a big hit here in the Philippines. People use this to keep in touch and be updated with the latest news. Political Arena is the Philippines first socio-political networking site. Its goal is to provide voter education by exploring the site features.

Politics is a hot topic now because it is nearing election day. As the Americans campaign for change during their last election, Filipino’s do as well. Filipino’s are wiser now, due to the help of media and internet.

Through television and radio, we could watch and hear debates of Presidential candidates that would help to know their personality and beliefs. Every channel are preparing a special episode that would cover this debate. However, only a few people could interact with the candidates on these events.

In the internet, Political Arena provides a venue for the masses to interact with the candidates. A member of the site like me, could ask questions regarding political issues and wait for an answer from the candidates. Members have an option to ask all the candidates or address a question to a candidate. Questions will be posted after 24 hours. There is also a section for political forum, in where members could interact with each other.

I wanted to know what other people think about the issue of Government projects marked as finish or done but not. So, I posted it on the forum and also asked questions to the candidates on what they would do to avoid these situations.

“Politicalarena.com operates under the network of 88DB.com, the Philippines’ first rich media service portal.”

I was amazed by the power of the Google Wave, so I wanted to try a few of its features.

The best thing to try is how to embed it on a blog or website. My adventure on this task started of me searching for possible ways to put a Wave on my blog. In the process, I was able to find a plugin for WordPress. I installed and tested it, but it didn’t give a satisfactory result. So I continued searching and found a discussion that helped me embed a wave.

Here’s my test wave:

I am happy with the help that I got from the discussion. I really learned a lot.

+63 917 622 9130

junelle@iloilo.ph

GTalk & Yahoo Messenger: junellecaravana

Skype: intiendes

Member of Iloilo Bloggers

“Connect to the internet from wherever you are and whenever you please,” with Globe Tattoo Broadband. Although the connection and speed depends on location just like mobile phones, this has been a great help during typhoon Ondoy, as some people were able to use this to communicate and ask help online.

I had an experience connecting to the internet thru my mobile phone with my Globe plan account, and the speed was impressive, because it is much faster then the dial-up connection I had. However, when my bill arrive, it was not that pleasing. Then as I read Azraels post about his experience using Globe Tattoo, I knew that with the Tattoo, you have an option to use time based browsing for 5 pesos per 15 minutes or per kb charging for 15 centavos per kb. If you know how you will be using the net, then surely you could save by choosing from those two options; the time based is good for surfing and downloading, while the kb charging is good for a quick email check. The Globe sim is set to kb charging, and it was not the right setting for my net usage. You could check your network status by texting STATUS to 1111.

The designs of Globe Tattoo Broadband is impressive. Check the Globe Tattoo Broadband New Skins for those impressive designs.

Globe Tattoo Broadband Designs

More could be found on Globe Tattoo Broadband Gallery. But if you think you could make a better design than presented, why not try your luck by submitting your design to Globe. They will be awarding 5000 pesos for the best designs and the winner gets a chance to see their work on an actual Globe Tattoo USB skins.

I know I will be buying my Globe Tattoo after seeing those beautiful trendy designs. Don’t be left behind. You’ll never know when you will be needing it, so better have one in handy. It is only for 895 pesos and with 15 internet hours for FREE.

Last September 28, 2009, I was able to attend an SEO workshop by Janette Toral. Though, at the start she mentioned it was going to be just basic, but I learned a lot and so has others who attended the said workshop. I guess it was more than basic for us.

The workshop was held at Netopia

Just a suitable place with a fast internet and a small room to let us have our workshop.

Here are the pics taken:

After the event, we decided to have some chit-chat time with Maam Janette. So we went to Smallville and found a good place to eat.

It was such a great learning experience for me. So, as a TIP, I would leave you this: In SEO, you shouldn’t stop learning because if you do, surely, you’ll be left behind.

comment gone wrong

So, I was complaining about the comments I have been getting into one of my blogs. I emailed that person telling 3 comments a day is enough. However, I was shocked when I saw another set of comments and obviously coming from the same person.

I guess this person doesn’t know WordPress and that comments here records IP, so even if the name, email and URL is changed, if no other “hocus pocus” is being done then the IP wouldn’t be changed.

In respect to this person, because obviously a newbie in link building. I brushed out some parts of the info given. So, if you are a link builder, please don’t do this. There are a lot of blogs to comment on, so you got a lot of resources, why just stick and bother one?

Good Luck link builders.

One of the task of a link builder is do blog commenting. In doing this, one has put in mind to comment according to the post, but what if a person though commenting about the post do it excessively?

I usually get 1 or 2 comments on my blog, but when I saw 29 new comments, it has caught my attention, especially those 29 is done by only one person.

It’s flattering that someone would take time to read and comment on every post I have but if comments are simply done for the sake of commenting to have link on it, it certainly doesn’t look nice. I guess a maximum of 3 post to comment on a certain blog in a day would be enough, a 5 would be too much for me, but 29? Just doesn’t seem right.

Check the comments being done on my blog, though some I would consider, but some just obviously was done for the sake of being able to leave a comment to link its site. This is a bad practice, because the blog owner like me would tend to mark this as spam.

Leave a comment if you feel like your comment would add to the quality of the post, for the next visitor to learn from it, not for the sake of link building. Build links naturally!

I LOVE BYAHILO!

It happened September 19, 2009. That was 3 days ago. I have been super busy since then, so I guess better late than never.

Just like WordCamp last year, I had a hard time finding the right gate. However, this time I have improved! It took me two tries to find the right one, compared to three tries last year. Yahoo to that!

I have my cousin with me so I am not scared of getting lost. We had our temperature check upon entering the building. Then we went to the third floor for the registration.

I though we would win something for being early, just like last year, but there’s no price for early birds this year. Well, I’d still choose being early though, because then I have the choice of where to sit.

Upon entering the main area, we have chosen the best location we could find and then have our pictures taken. The advantage of not being alone, is having someone to take your picture without asking.

So while waiting:

* I enjoyed the free Wi-Fi.

* Picture taking with my cousin.

* Picture with Blogie.

* Picture of a banner on stage.

* Eat cookies.
I wish there was free water in the area.

At last, the event started.

MC Migs
Migs gave a joke that those who have laptops who are using the power outlet would be fined with Php 50 and someone actually took her plug out. BWA HA HA HA

Head Organizer Blogie.
Blogie proudly informs everyone how solid the Mindanao Bloggers are. I hope Iloilo Bloggers would be as solid.

WordPress guy, Lebens

Here, I knew a lot of WordPress Family that are not as popular as WordPress and the equation:

WPMU != WordPress

Firefox Tshirt give-away

Marku
I learned about WP Super Cache and RSS Footer

Matt just gave a video message.
Everyone was Oooohh

Enjoying the event.
My cousin was teasing me because as a fat lover, there was a fat guy seated next to me, but he transferred in front

Danilo Arao
If I were to interview a writer, I would ask: “What is the essence of journalism?”

Seth, the Mozilla guy

OPEN WEB is IMPRESSIVE!

Lunch Time:

The SALAD was delicious! Overall, food was great. You should have seen my plate. It was wiped clean.

I won a sticker

Showing off our rubber bracelet

Jeff

WordCamp Tshirt, free give-away

Gail

Karla

Interview

Of course, I wouldn’t let the event pass, without a picture from the stars.

WordPress, Me and Mozilla

Migs and I

Since I was able to attend the WordCamp last year, I can’t help but to compare.

• I was disappointed of the WordCamp badges this year.
  • I don’t know if I have written babsy.com during my registration, as what was written on my badge but I am pretty sure my blog is supposed to be http://www.babsy.name – I checked the .com and it was like a porno site, so not good for me.
  • Mine was better than my cousin though, because mine was computerized while my cousins was handwritten, so we asked why and they informed us that they had a hard time looking for it so it might have been lost, so they just created one for her like the ones they made for walk-in registrant. Unfair, right?
  • Also when they gave us our badges, my cousins badge was without a lanyard. I informed them that we were both registered online, so they got one for her. There are others who have no lanyards as well, so somehow I was thinking that the organizers wasn’t prepared.
• Souvenirs was just in card envelope while we had it on bag last year.
• Wi-Fi connection was intermittent.
• The power socket in my area was broken during the morning, so some have no place to plug-in their laptop.

In summary, I was expecting better because this year we actually paid compared to free one last year. Yet, I have seen more flaws. I hope I could help out next year.

I enjoy attending free events. As obvious, when I attended the WordCamp 2008 and iBlog 5 held in Luzon (specifically in Manila), even if I am from Visayas – Iloilo.

So, when I heard about the DigitalFilipino Club and Bacolod Bloggers Networking event, I immediately confirmed my attendance; If I could go to Manila for an event, why not in Bacolod – Di ba?

The event was sponsored by PAGCOR and was held at Casino Filipino Bacolod. It was my second time to meet Miss Janette Toral of DigitalFilipino and I was amazed by her memory, she remembered me – my name! WOW, because I’m not good in remembering names, in fact just this afternoon in a Mall, someone approached me “all-smiles” and so I did smile at her too, then she grabbed my hand and shook it saying “sorry I am in a hurry.” Goodness, that was a such relief, if she had stayed and talked to me, I would surely have broken her heart. Deary, if you are reading this, “I AM SORRY.”

However, I think I would remember Marcos, Jun, Mary Jane, Tim and Glady whom I just met during the event. These Iloillo Bloggers have been my friends online for a long time, and we just met each other in person, last night. Also, with us is the infamous Enrico Dee, whom I first met at iBlog 5, introduce to me by another Iloilo Blogger, Bernie (who missed the meet-up).

I really had fun during the event because the organizers did a great job and Miss Janette Toral is full of positive energy – she always smiles at the City of Smiles.

A fellow Iloilo Blogger and my officemate, Claire, seems to have enjoyed it as well. We both won a prize during the raffle – Yehey!

Pics available for download at Intiendes Photos. Here’s the slideshow:

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.