Out there in a world called cyber space

One good thing about having technologically and “cybernetically” inclined friends is being regularly updated with all things well, technological and cybernetic—newest gadgets, hottest PC game and free talks or fora about online media.

This was what happened a couple of days ago while a close “techie” friend of mine and I were talking through YM. She casually sent me an invite to an event. It read: “iBlog 4: The 4^th Philippine Blogging Summit. At first, I was hesitant, after all, it will be held on a Saturday (and for a full-time intern and student this summer like me, Saturday is synonymous with sleep) but with a little prodding and a series of “sige na, you'll like it” from my friend, made me say “yes.”

It was still a little early when I arrived at the Malcolm Hall, College of Law, University of the Philippines. The accommodating organizers of the event instructed that I stay inside theater while waiting for the event to start. A couple of minutes went by and the registration began, the press kits were distributed and the cameras started rolling.

The first speaker was popular blogger, Ms. Charo Nuguid . She talked about the basic information about blogging. Derived from the phrase “web log”, a blog is a web page where one can “post” about his thoughts, views and opinions at the same time upload multi-media applications such as pictures, videos and music. Ms. Nuguid also discussed some important point blog users must take note when setting up a new blog like in what particular site they like to have their blogs published and to what extent their blogs will be accessible to Internet users.

Prior to that, it was very interesting to note that when Ms. Nuguid asked the audience how many actually owns a blog. It was not a surprise that majority of the audience raised their hands but surprisingly enough, most of these hands belong to middle-aged people. This only mean that what was once a trend among teenagers, students and yuppies has fast becoming a trend to a newer set of users.

A special video presentation from Australian blogger Mr. Brian Gorell was shown next. An avid blogger, it can be recalled that Mr. Gorell’s popularity rooted from his controversial post about a well-known Filipino socialite. On his presentation, Mr. Gorell talked about the things blogging taught him—like how to improve one’s personality and how to assert one's freedom of speech.

Other speakers include Juan Karlo Licudine, a student blogger who wanted to take his chance in pursuing a professional career in blogging and photographer Juned Sonido who discussed the great and mighty power photo blogging has. He had me nodding in agreement when he said that one doesn’t need a DSLR or other SML’s (Samahan ng Malalaking Lente) cameras to take good photos. The art of photography is mastered and not learned through expensive cameras.

Also present in the summit to give their own presentations were web comics pioneer, Jonas Diego, bloggers Aileen Apolo and Coy Caballes who spoke about new trends in the blogging field called “”vlog and podcasting.” In Cyber speak, these two terms mean video blogging and voice recording, respectively. Together with them were blogging advocate Noemi Lardizabal and Mindanao blogger, Ria Jose.

As a journalism student, I was trained to be balanced and refrain from taking sides. But as much as I want to stop myself, forgive me.

Among my favorite speakers and issues raised were that of political bloggers Manuel Quezon III, Luz Rimban and Janette Toral. In about two years, the country will once again face a significant battle and struggle of choosing leaders. In this sense, the speakers highlighted the crucial role blogging and the blog users themselves play during national events such as elections.

Ms. Rimban stressed the advantages of intertwining online media, especially blogging to an important event like elections. Among its benefits include less cost of elections expenses since coverage will much be easier at the same time, through blogging, poll watching can be efficiently maintained. However, in this case, how do we make online media an official part of our election? What processes are needed to be done? What and where to register?

Lastly, another interesting issue was presented by Atty JJ Disini. In his talk, he discussed about some legal challenges a blogger can possibly face if responsible use of the cyber space is not practiced.

With personal computers (and laptops) and the Internet bringing the world into our homes, they provide access to a vast and unbelievable amount of information. But with this unlimited access to Internet and free-for-all set up of most social network sites as well as blog sites, come a certain level of awareness regarding laws and regulations involving this online media.

Computers and Internet surely changed the way man has lived. This combo indeed paved way for a lot of innovations and new technology. Since its invention, it conveniently enabled man to have access anything one can think of in just a few seconds, in a just a few clicks.

But as users, we must recognize its limits and boundaries the way that we see its convenience and might. After all, if we fail to do so, we suffer at the end. Think about the endless possibilities—libel charges, scandals, cyber stalking, death threats…

Iblog 4 and the UP College of Law Internet and Society Program has been very helpful in the dissemination of helpful and important issues and points regarding online media. It’s a good thing that it has recognized the powerful impacts of Internet usage in our society. For that, it wouldn’t be bad to give ISP three shining stars.

The iBlog 4 ended at around past 5pm. It was well attended by students, teachers and bloggers. The fun seemed to never end as a raffle draw was held and some lucky participants (ahem, ahem) won cool prizes like Filipiniana shirts by one of iBlog 4's sponosrs, WikiPilipinas.org.

The name surely rings a bell. Since its launch last August 28, 2007 at the 28^th Manila International Book Fair, the first pioneering Philippine online encyclopedia, WikiPilipinas.org has already published 50,000 articles that are classified into 12 knowledge portals namely: people and society, culture and arts, media and entertainment, sports and lesiure, history, economy and business, government and politic, geography and travel, religion and beliefs, science and technology, Philippine communities and Philippine websites. When you think about it, it's like having a Pinoy library of our own in a ocean of foreign things in cyberspace. How cool is that?

The picture-taking session with the speakers signaled the end of the event. It had been a whole day activity but the audience don't seem to mind. In the end, it had been one interesting and worthwhile afternoon.

Along with WikiPilipinas.org, this year’s blogging summit was sponsored by Yehey., iBlog 4’s official online media partner, Morph Labs, Alfox Computer Center and Ploghost.