National What?

I belong to a group where there is freedom of expression, there are no rules, there is democracy in writing what I feel and being mum about what I think is not right.

The SOCCSKSARGEN Bloggers is a thing of beauty for me. I consider myself a member of an open group, no officers, but with one vision and the mission to promote what is good and rich in Mindanao. People often see the bad and the bloody in Mindanao and we are writing to counter these negative attacks on our homeland. As an open group, many new bloggers have emerged, asked about us, what to do to join, but we answer them with a big: Just Write Good About Mindanao, and you are in the group.

Now, as bloggers, we are not here to cover the truth, because as you can see, the traditional media has it all, war, hostages, kidnappings, massacres, they're all over the news screaming the general Mindanao. But instead, we just want a fair broadcast, if there is massacre in Maguindanao, that is a half day of ride before reaching General Santos City, my point is, Maguindanao is not the whole Mindanao. There still remains the beautiful beaches of Gumasa, the ever tranquil Lake Sebu and the aroma of durian in Davao.

We have also met friends who are bloggers as well, visited us, became their friends and even if they belong to organized groups, we have welcomed them as if we are one organized group. Our hospitality to them never ceased, and will never cease if we know a blogger is coming to General Santos to see us.

But we are that, an open group, we have been successful in hosting the Mindanao Blogging Summit 2, SoCCSKSarGen Experiences dubbed as the SEX Tour 1 and 2, the SoccSarGen Summer Safari, even the 1st BlogFest in General Santos City attended by more than a hundred and fifty participants to which we never had a clue where they came from. Thinking about this, we deduce that indeed, people look after us, and are aware of our existence.

We are aware of our social responsibilities thus our gift-giving in Palakasam and Kinilis, we also donated blood, and gave food to orphans and created and attended more events that we can only count or name. You, see we don't always have fun, but we have others to think of as well. But when we are asked who are the officers, we don't have answers. Sure, there are leaders,but they are that, appointed leaders and not sworn-in officers. And yet, we remain strong and united, even gathering more members to our list.

So what's the fuss with this National what? We are better this way, we blog and we love it, we are free to do everything we want to do. If there are mistakes in our writing, I believe every person has the right to free speech, and or he can very well ask for the help of professionals to better his writing, and guide him in what is right in order for him to improve and not make compromises. We help each other improve, not becoming an obstacle to his improvement.

I enjoy being a blogger and, not joining a National Bloggers Association will not make me less of a blogger.

Here are some good points on the National Bloggers' Association coming from highly acclaimed bloggers Aileen Apolo, and Marocharim. What is your take on this, my dear friends? I want to hear it.