It was exciting because that was the first time I would meet Janette Toral. I was thinking how would I approach her, what would I tell her, you know, things like that.
I thought I arrived really early because there were no people yet in the area. I never thought they were actually already inside the Malcolm Theater. When I entered the theater, there I saw Janette. I was not sure if it was her, though. She looked simple yet oozing with smart personality. I was easily intimidated. I knew I had nothing to tell her (or something wise to tell her) so I remained myself unknown.
I was trying to be at ease (and it was not that easy, I'm telling you). As the summit started, and everyone seemed to know someone in there, I felt kind of out of place. Perhaps because everyone was naturally cool and approachable, I settled in.
I learned a lot. Although there were many things I wish I was able to take note of, err, I really hate it when I forgot my envelop there where everything about the show (or at least some of it) was inside. Maybe because I was too nervous taking picture with Janette.
There were many things I really like telling here about the event, however, I felt lacking of some facts. There was something, though, that I wanted to comment about. It was about the ROLE of Bloggers in the 2010 National Election. It was very informative. The speakers were really effective and entertaining (especially Ria, err, forgot her blogs!) I got interested in the Vlogging or Video Blogging, the Blog Photography, becoming a problogger, Comics Blogging(?), and of course, the Political Blogging.
I want to be an effective and useful blogger for the 2010 Election. I like the idea about reporting things and events in our local community in relevance of the election. However, there is something I am thinking that we should be careful about. It is the issue of integrity among the bloggers. I know this question had been raised and, well, answered. Still, I am wondering what if the politicians themselves find a way to hire someone to blog misleading information, just to counteract their political competitors? You know what I'm saying? Like, okay, I understand the idea that if all the bloggers in our country will participate in reporting the political related events in their localities, it is a big help in providing all the necessary information (that may not be covered by the traditional media) every voter will need to vote wisely. However, I can't help it but think that there is also a possibility that these dirty politicians may come up with the idea of hiring someone to do a blogging campaign for them as well. And we all know how traditional politicians really work. I got the idea of 'You can't teach old dogs new tricks', but how about their children, the young generation of their family? For sure someone will eventually find the power of blogging and take advantage of it.
And for those common Pinoys, when they go on-line to get the information that they need to analyze every political candidate, how sure they know that the information they are getting are purely written by a someone who is not politically influenced?
I totally agree that we should all work together to achieve a fair election in 2010. And blogging has really a potential of becoming a very important alternative source of information for every voter. I would like to suggest that, somehow, there should be like a 'top management' that will take charge of providing all the bloggers the guidelines, tips, and membership(?) from which the blogger's integrity will not be put in question.
