Dear Friends,

Please welcome my new blog project – Random Thoughts from Snow!

Check out my new site and follow me as I try to share my random thoughts at any random time!

Cheers,

Photo credit: Here

Being buried inside a cave for several days really makes a person unaware of what is happening in cable channel. Gosh, I haven’t realized that my ‘favorite American Idol contestant’ might be headed for the win! Thanks Reyna Elena for the Facebook shoutout. It reminded me to be a little bit ‘back on my feet’ nowadays.

Anyway…

I heard that my favorite American Idol Season 9 contestant Casey James made it to the top 3. Whoa, best of luck Casey! Oh boy, let me also remind you that being in the top 3 is an accomplishment already.

And while we are all waiting for the finale, please check out one of his best performance right after the jump:

Cheers,

Photo Credit: Examiner

Barrio Siete finally released an official statement after the collective blog received vicious attacks from the blogosphere. The announcement can be read through the 16th State of the Barrio Address (SOBA) of La Kapitana (aka Reyna Elena) today, March 20, 2010.

La Kapitana pointed out from the SOBA why this group of bloggers are trying so hard to bring down the collective blog by misguiding the netizens through means of personal attacks and misinformation about the mission and vision of Barrio Siete.

The statement interestingly emphasized some serious issues like ‘ethics,’ a conduct which is said to be lacking in the Philippine blogging community nowadays.

Reyna Elena also declared that due to the spiteful attacks received from the past days, the blog will seriously fight the ‘online vilification and hate campaigns’ to ensure the welfare of innocent bloggers going forward.

Barrio Siete, a collective blog wherein I am a member has been featured in the Manila Bulletin. Whoa, what a feat!

The article is a short one but a must read as La Kapitana’s interview run through the mission and vision of the blog, the challenges and the importance of maintaining a collective blog with solid group of bloggers who have different opinions on news and diverse approach in writing stories.

To read all about it, check out this link:

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/245790/barrio-siete

Congratulations to La Kapitana (aka Reyna Elena) for doing a great job and to my fellow Barangay Council members namely: Bluepanjeet, Buraot, KotsengKuba, Ajay,  Silver, Malen, Pusa, Maldito, Gloria, Mahalia, Johnonymous, Lee, Jepoy, Jess, Pehpot, Reesie, Rob, Lalaine, Chuva Chienes, Mark and Mel Beckham!

I would also like to extend the accolades to Ms. Cat as she has given great contributions to B7 during the initial phase of the blog. (Madam, my wish is that: when you are no longer busy with your schedule, you’ll come back again to write at B7.)

Again, best wishes to my fellow bloggers in Barrio Siete! Words cannot express how proud I am right now!

…and I will say it again and again: It is truly a great honor to be included in a pool of credible bloggers that strongly support and respect diversity in harmony through social networking.

Long live Barrio Siete! Long live to our beloved Reyna Elena!

Cheers,

P.S.:  To read more of Barrio Siete click this link: Barrio Siete in the News

Merry Christmas to my Barrio Siete Family and to all my blogger friends.

Wishing you all the best! ~_~

Photo Credit: blogs.smarter.com

Photo Credit: Azrael

Two years ago, Janette Toral of Digital Filipino initiated a ‘Writing Project’ about the first ever Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs in the world wide web. Just like this year, the 2007 candidates for the writing project is not only exclusive to the  Philippine blogosphere but from all over the world.

The aim of the writing project is pretty simple. The top 10 nomination coming from the fellow bloggers must identify blogs that inspire them and could provide something worthy to the readers.

So, have they lived up to the expectations?

Let’s see…

Top 1:  Tied on the top spot were:

An Apple A Day by Aileen Apolo

Aileen Apolo’s blog currently have 140 feedburner readers and 909 twitter followers. Her blog is still rocking steady as she have ‘captive readers’ with her daily musings about everything. I think she is worthy of the title because the journal life approach give readers a feel that she really enjoys sharing her life in the blogosphere.

The Philosophical Bastard by Paolo Mendoza

Lo and behold, this top influential blog of 2007 is no longer accessible to the public eye! Yep, even the domain name is for sale!

I guess the blogger behind this great blog will no longer let us read his humor and philosophy in life as he also decided followers to read  his blog entries via invitation. Hmmm, what could have happened along the way?

Too bad really as I have a glimpse of his blogs in social networking Blog Catalog and the entries are worth reading.

Top 2:  The D Spot by Dine Racoma

Dine Racoma‘s blog still continue to gain readers as she shares her life and parenting experiences in the world wide web. Racoma’s blog currently have 175 feedburner subscribers so I believe she will stay solid in the blogosphere and will continue to give insights on every issues that matter.

Top 3:  CokskiBlue

CokskiBlue (now named ThisisCoy.net)  is owned by Coy, a Pinoy video blogger who has collection of video which covers just about anything – from travel, events and various reviews. He is also an avid supporter of the Filipino vloggers. Interestingly, Coy is again nominated this year (Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2009) for his vlog, Video Chops Dot Com.

So what differentiate Video Chops from Cokskiblue? Coy pointed out that the new vlog is not just another blog about video blogging but rather a QUICK CHOP on his unused video clips and footages which make it downloadable to the viewing public for free! Oh well, see for yourselves and check it out…

Top 4:  Make Money Online with a 13-Year Old

Carl Ocab is probably one of the most successful teenage bloggers on the blogosphere at this moment. Carl, now age 15, is a truly one of a kind as this internet celebrity holds a remarkable position of being on the top spot in Google for the keyword “Make Money Online” after only seven months of optimization. He also deserved the accolades as he was been featured on the national newspaper twice, been interviewed by some of the top notch internet marketers in the blogging block like Joel Christopher, Jack Humphrey, Rosalind Gardner and Nick Marks!

So, what can I say about Carl? Whoa, you are definitely one influential kiddo! Kudos to you and keep up the good work!

Top 5: Tied on the fifth spot were Culture Shiok! and Utakgago

Culture Shiok! is a blog of an Overseas Filipino Worker in Singapore. So, what happened to this influential blog?

The blog which currently hosted at Blogger/Blogspot is noticeably not up to date. Sadly, the last entry from this blog was March 2008 with an astonishing total blog entries of 4 in the same year.

Was it the end of this blog?

Well, I don’t know – but from the looks it, the blogger still has no intention of updating his bloggy soon.

Utak Gago

The domain is currently parked because the Swedish host of his former website has been pulled off without any notice. Anyway, blogger Kevin hasn’t stopped blogging ever since as he still continue to let subscribers read his impressive writing skills to this url link (http://seriouslie.wordpress.com/).

Kudos to you Kevin for not getting frustrated with what happened to your original blog!

Top 6:  Kubiertos

Kubiertos is a blog of ApplesH a food enthusiasts. She blogs about food, eating, recipes, dining and restaurants in the Philippines. The blog currently has 249 feedburner subscribers and still making waves in the Philippine blogosphere when it comes to food blogging.

Top 7: Tied on the seventh spot were FruityOaty and PinoyBlogero

FruityOaty

FruityOaty is a blog of  Massa P, a Filipino-Canadian who writes about her views and reviews of life, food, current events, blogging, gadgets, and technology. Unfortunately, this award-winning blog is also on a hibernate mode as the owner posted her last blog entry in January 30, 2009. What happened? *puzzled* Darn, it was an uber good blog!!!

Oh well, she could have been very busy or…

I guess she is really not on her ‘blogging mode’ up to this point!

PinoyBlogero

Juan Karlo Licudine, the author behind PinoyBlogero is undeniably still active in the blogosphere nowadays. The blog which boasts of his impressive artwork before will now be reinvented to a more personal journal pretty soon.

I guess this ‘personal move’ was to make way of his new blog, BlogComics.net as he actively updates comic fillers there more often.

Top 7: Tied on the eight spot were The Dork Factory and The Anitokid Chronikos

The Dork Factory

Unfortunately, I can not access this blog as of this writing. The url site: http://jhed.asteeg.net/ is giving me a ‘problem loading page’ message so I can not say much about this influential blog of 2007.

The Anitokid Chronikos

This influential blog of 2007 ‘blogging heart’ is all about the Philippine pool scene but it also has diverse thoughts oil and gas, financial services, information technology industries, electronic gadgets and motorcycling. What a diverse insights, huh?

The blog currently have an extensive interview of Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes on Probe Profiles  and it’s definitely worth the read!

Top 9: Gibbs Cadiz

Gibbs Cadiz is a personal blog of a man regarding travel, movies, books and mostly about theater. The blog has good niche because I haven’t seen bloggers passionately writing about theater so no wonder it has 344 feedburner subscribers.

Top 10: Confessions of a Hopeless Romantic

Based on my research, Jake the Miserable, the blogger behind the ‘Confessions of a Hopeless Romantic’ is no longer active in the blogosphere nowadays. Hmmm, again – I wonder what happened? Sayang naman…

I mean, with a blog title just like that – I bet he can still make a buzz in the blogosphere should he want to resurrect his blogging career.

So, what can I say???

To those still active: Congrats to all of you for giving us an inspiration to blog! You are already ‘experienced’ in blogging so we really appreciate the fact that ‘newbies’ are given a chance to showcase our stuffs.

To those ‘inactive influential bloggers’: I can understand you perfectly kasi hindi naman talaga madaling mag-blog eh! Bloggers like us are supposed to be giving informative and interesting entry in every single posts so it is no wonder you suddenly take ‘a blogging holiday’ for now or forever.

And to those who will win this 2009:

May you continue to light up the torch in inspiring fellow bloggers and make a positive change in our blogosphere.

Related posts:

• My Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2009
• A big ‘Thank You’ to all who have nominated Dear Bloggery!

At last, the ‘Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2009′ nomination comes to an end. Whew!

Well, since the competition has already ended. I believe it is only appropriate to express my deepest gratitude to the following bloggers below who voted for Dear Bloggery:

Reesie, Donna De Sena, Mary Lou Mariano, Jennibeth, Mae Lin Jiwani, Cynthia, Selboy, Ceblogger, Jena Isle, Ikogsakanding, Malensky, Darbs, Yami, Rob Angeles, Ada, Dinah, Dfish, Fatherlyours, Roy, Reyna Elena, Amor, Ambo, Silver, Jangeronimo, Zorlone, Dhonzkie, Jerbp, Donna Llaguno, Christalice, Chris, Alex Gavino, Sherry, Racquel Sison, Archie dela Cruz, Stephen Chua Roxas, Gopal Krishna, Earthlingorgeous, Kelvin, Angelcuala, HotMomma, Lindsey08, Jonistar, DianNeil, Jenn, Elmot, Itot54joni, Iva, Menard, BlogdeManila, Pusa, Mel Beckham, Lee, Anak ni Kulapo, Joanjoyce, Bloggista, Birch, Jay Castillo, Ajay, Donald Serrano, Badong, Jet, Santos.ph, Dencios, Leo Mar, Nathology, Anna, Fifi and Kotseng Kuba! (the list is still work-in-progress! )

In addition, yours truly also wants to say:

It is truly an honor to be considered with the other great new blogs that have been nominated this year. Thank you all again. I couldn’t have gotten a vote without your support!

Related Post:

• Dear Bloggery’s Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs of 2009
• Influential Blogs of 2007: Where Are They Now?

Photo Credit: ehow.com

The blogosphere is filled up with news about the Presidents, humor, disaster and intrigues from the last week. Here they are in no random order:

Naughty Presidents Caught on Film!

Boys will always be boys?!

Presidents Barack Obama and Nicolas Sarkozy has been a subject of scrutiny lately as there are photos emerging of the two ‘sneaking out’ a behind of a lady! Hmmm, I have watched the videos over and over again at my favorite tambayan ‘Barrio Siete’ but it seems only one of them is really looking.

Check it out, judge for yourselves or guess who??? *lol*

Prayers offered for ailing Tita Cory

Get well soon, Tita Cory

The Pinoy blogdom stand united once again because of the reported poor health of Tita Cory. Blog trends about her is going up too as the 11th President of the Philippines seems to be ailing more often due to her colon cancer. Prayers and commentaries has been blogged so far to keep her in high spirits.

Get well soon, Tita Cory. We will pray for you more often! God bless you…

Surgical enhancements???

Salamat po doctor: Did she or didn't she?

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has apparently enhanced something to make herself more prettier! In fact, the Philippine politicians tongue can’t stopped wagging about the news around the country.

Hmmm, could it be???

Freddie Aguilar Calls Gary V, Arnel Pineda and Charice ‘Brown Monkeys’!

That's a mouthful Sir!

My oh my, veteran singer Freddie Aguilar called Gary Valenciano, Arnel Pineda and Charice Pempengco ‘Brown Monkeys’ just recently! Apparently, the legendary singer is irritated by the fact that these two singers are imitating other artists when performing.

Hmmm, the accusations is quite a mouthful Sir!

In fact, it was actually not pleasant to hear for a classy singer like you Mr. Aguilar.

Mayon Volcano:Erupting Soon

Mt. Mayon active again!

The most famous volcano in the Philippines is reportedly erupting once again. Philvocs has raised the alert level from 1 to 2. Gosh, another disaster! Let us all pray na lang for the safety of the people close to the proximity.

There you have it folks! The news above rounds up my Bloggery Buzz. Tune in again next time for more blog news on Dear Bloggery. Also, please don’t forget to read my beloved barrio’s ‘Week in Review’ to know more on what’s happening around the blogosphere!

Cheers,

The undisputed “King of Pop” who died last month at the age of 50, once said on his interviews that his own funeral would be the “greatest show on earth”. I bet he would not have been disappointed as music royalty turned out at a memorial service fit for a “King”.

Last July 7, 2009, family, loyal fans and friends gathered together to honor the ‘King of Pop’ at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. There were around 20,000 people attended at Michael Jackson’s tearful memorial service.

Family and friends gathered at the Jackson's house in Encino, California

More pictures after the jump:

'In Loving Memory: Michael Jackson King of Pop 1958-2009

Michael Jackson's brothers and friends carrying his casket

Michael Jackson's casket

Words from Michael Jackson’s family and friends

Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, his 11-year-old daughter: “Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine and I just wanted to say I love him so much.”

Marlon Jackson: “We will never, never, understand what he endured. Not being able to walk across the street without a crowd gathered around, being judged, being ridiculed, how much pain can one take?”

Queen Latifah: “I’m here representing millions of fans around the world who grew up listening to Michael, being inspired and loving Michael from a distance … Somehow when Michael Jackson sang and when he danced … we felt he was right there … He made you believe in yourself.”

Motown Records founder Berry Gordy: “When he did his iconic moonwalk, I was shocked. It was magic. Michael Jackson went into orbit and never came down. Though it ended way too soon, Michael’s life was beautiful.”

“He is quite simply the greatest entertainer that ever lived.”

Stevie Wonder: “This is a moment that I wish that I didn’t live to see come. But as much as I can say that and mean it, I do know that God is good and I do know that as much as we may feel – and we do – that we need Michael here with us, God must have needed him far more.”

Brooke Shields, recalling a moment she shared with Jackson at Elizabeth Taylor’s 1991 wedding: “We snuck in and took pictures of ourselves next to her dress. We always seemed to revert to being little kids.”

“He was often referred to as the King but the Michael that I knew was always the little prince.”

Smokey Robinson, reading a note from long-time Jackson friend Diana Ross: “Michael was a personal love of mine. A treasured part of my world … ”

Mariah Carey, after singing I’ll Be There: “We miss you, Michael.”

President Barack Obama, asked about the outpouring of emotion related to Jackson’s death during an interview in Moscow: “There are certain people in our popular culture that just capture people’s imaginations. And in death, they become even larger. Now, I have to admit that it’s also fed by a 24/7 media that is insatiable.”

The Rev Jesse Jackson, on how the Jackson family is coping: “They’re holding up well in part because they’re a strong family … a big family, religiously devout family. Therefore, they have a sense of insulation of their faith.”

Nelson Mandela, in a message read out by Smokey Robinson: “Michael was a giant and a legend in the music industry and we mourn with the millions of fans worldwide.”

Pastor Lucious Smith: “To millions around the world, Michael Jackson was an idol, a hero, even a king. But first and foremost this man before us today was a brother, a son, a father and a friend.”

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee: “We are the world and we are better because Michael Joseph Jackson lived. On behalf of myself and the people who are here, Michael Jackson, I salute you.”

Photo Credits: Ready2Beat

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson, the sensationally gifted child singer who rose to fame for such hits as Thriller, Beat It and Billie Jean died Thursday from cardiac arrest. He was 50 years old.

According to his brother Randy Jackson, the King of Pop has reportedly collapsed at his home in the Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles, California about noon Pacific Time due to cardiac arrest. He died at the UCLA Medical Center.

His death came as shocking news to everyone as Jackson was rehearsing hard for what was to be his greatest comeback. He was scheduled to appear for 50 shows at a London area starting July 13.

He is survived by his three children (Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince “Blanket” Michael Jackson II), his eight siblings (Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Randy and Janet) and his parents, Joseph and Katherine.

So long Michael, the music world will surely miss you!

God bless and may you rest in peace.

Photo Credit: Photo Bucket