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.

Comments

docgelo said…
i emphatize and symphatize with you, sheng. i like your line, "we blog and we love it."

i salute your organization in your area that exists effectively with social relevance despite the lack of officers.

i hate the most is politics.
i can never be dictated by anyone what to post, what to blog. i enjoy what i am doing and receiving comments from my few friends online like you affirms that they enjoy it too.

blogging is free; no one should restrict it.
kg said…
hi sheng! may mga issues pang ganyan? he he!

alam mo, ever since you blogged about your group, i've always admired you all. officers or no officers, basta you're doing the right thing and doing good in this world, it won't matter. :)
Unknown said…
hi sheng, i share the same views as you. being new to blogging, i don't get why someone has to keep it "organized". the beauty of blogging for me has been it is personal, no rules just a medium where you can express your thoughts and sentiments. i wouldn't like anybody telling me what to put and what's appropriate in my blog. and i totally don't get the "NATIONAL" thing since obviously it doesn't cover ALL the bloggers nationwide. and i don't want anybody representing me or my blogs. ano ba ito congress kelangan ng representation? di ba?
Lyle said…
You couldn't have said it better, Sheng. This folks with messianic complexes should take inspiration from your group.

The blogosphere is fine as it is and I hope it stays that way.
orman said…
and we PLANTED TREES too!

hayaan na natin sila. am sure itutuloy din nila yan.

in the meantime, mas lalo nating palakasin ang samahan hindi lamang sa SoCCSKSarGen kundi pati na sa ibang bloggers around the Pilipinas and sa buong mundo.
Anonymous said…
andaming pwedeng sabihin! haha! i see the good and the bad with having a "NBA" but i can only smell failure. it's better how you have done it in General Santos and maybe that's how we should all start.

i really think being an archipelago, with different cultures, languages, and backgrounds, it will be difficult to 'unify' all bloggers under one national association. why not just make a national event (convention?) of the different bloggers' associations instead? i don't feel or see the need for a national organization as of the moment.
Laurence said…
Well expressed Sheng. I did not blog to join any organization, I blog to express myself. There are already a lot of organizations out there enough to fill your week with meetings,fees and whatever. With our current SoCCSKSarGen Bloggers Group, I don't feel obliged to do anything but I do get inspired to contribute something for the group and the community.
Ria Jose said…
Well said Ate Sheng. :)

Soccsksargen Bloggers never fail to do its part, individually and collectively, in promoting blogging and the beauty and realities of Mindanao.

Padayon!
I love how you wrote your post with heart. I guess that's why we are aligned on this. We blog with our heart.

Baka nga lang may umalma sa term na "highly acclaimed". LOL! Isa lang akong hamak na manunulat tulad ninyo :)
Sonnie said…
This is my take on the issue:

http://sesantos.com.ph/2011/03/07/my-take-on-the-bloggers-association/
Envy Me Salon said…
very well said ate sheng :)
Avel Manansala said…
Thanks for this Sheng.

Now everyone knows why we are still an informal fun group.

You couldn't have said it any better. But of course we still blog about the truth... the truth that Mindanao is most beautiful island in the Philippines!

Amen?
OLANOLOGY said…
VERY WELL SAID SHENG! :)bloggers from Mindanao who cares for Mindanao and the country as a whole need not be part of the so called National Organization because prior to its so called "formation", we already have own identity, own convictions!
Reena said…
basta ako, i will never join any blogging association. very well said sheng. i share your sentiments. :)
Anonymous said…
hay naku... politics at pera lang ang habol ng mga yan... politics para "daw" sila ay sikat dahil member ng "national association" at pero - para may makurakot. dahil tiyak - may membership fees yan plus conventions / seminars na if mura nga pero meron namang "gifts" from the vendors or sponsors...

Write what you believe that matters to you.

Live like what you are doing right now.

Enjoy freedom like you are at now.

Leave that "National Association" aspiring what you life, live and enjoy most...BLOGGING!!!

Gensan Boi
Anonymous said…
hay naku... politics at pera lang ang habol ng mga yan... politics para "daw" sila ay sikat dahil member ng "national association" at pera - para may makurakot. dahil tiyak - may membership fees yan plus conventions / seminars na if mura nga pero meron namang "gifts" from the vendors or sponsors...

Write what you believe that matters to you.

Live like what you are doing right now.

Enjoy freedom like you are at now.

Leave that "National Association" aspiring what you WRITE, LIVE and ENJOY most...BLOGGING!!!

Gensan Boi ( corrected edition from typo errors )

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