I’m a frustrated writer.
I envy my elementary and high school classmates joining writing contests like the National Schools Press Conference. I attempted to join a writing club during primary school but never got in. Perhaps I suck in grammar and couldn’t convey a thought. I just couldn’t write.
In middle school, I got hooked on the internet. I would save up my baon for a few hours in an internet cafe creating websites from the mockup drafts in a blank bond paper. I promoted my ‘digital’ work to my classmates but they would brush it off. One saying that it’s a waste of time and I wouldn’t get anywhere with my website from Tripod/Lycos.
The Great CDO Bloggers ‘stalker’
During the advent of social media, I stumbled upon Plurk – a microblogging and social networking site in the late 2000s. While exploring Plurk, I discovered a bunch of CDO Bloggers. I followed them like a stalker. I know where they were as they were posting in real time.
Through them, I discovered new places in Cagayan de Oro. I’ve also learned that the CDO Bloggers have a wide range of niches from lifestyle, fashion, current events and some top local job websites. They’re not just bloggers but they also have various professions – from nurses to teachers and more.
The blogging group was formed to promote the City of Golden Friendship. When you search about CDO on Google, for sure the bloggers behind the CDO Blogs were on the first search results. They’re the backbone of CDO’s internet.
Joining and leading the CDO Bloggers
I met Ms Ems Aban of LadySoda.com whilst working in Concentrix. She invited me together with Crizzy and Aze to the group’s year-end party in 2010. It was fascinating to see their faces in the flesh. I knew all of them and it’s surreal to be able to converse with the CDO Bloggers. I see and interact with them online. It was a fun night and I walked out from the venue becoming one of their Vice Presidents.
Exactly a decade ago I was elected the President. I don’t know what they saw in me but it felt daunting. Being the group leader is such a huge responsibility but for me as a 24-year-old lad, it was exciting. During my 2 terms (2012 and 2013), the group was further exposed to connecting with the local government, forging relationships with the media, expanding contacts with local businesses and giving back to the community.
We stick to the core of uplifting CDO’s image to the Philippines and the world. The CDO Bloggers are the voice of the internet in CDO. Our words and our opinions matter.
Opportunities from blogging
Blogging and the organisation have opened tremendous opportunities for me. It moulded me to become a better blogger. The craft has led me to opportunities I’ve never imagined – from newspaper and magazine features, and radio interviews, event invites, brand deals, online ambassadorships to TV appearances. Plus, a whole lot of speaking engagements like TEDx. You will see most of them here. Later on, I was also given the opportunity to write a column for the Mindanao Gold Star Daily’s lifestyle section.
Who would have thought that the guy dreaming of becoming a good writer would be exposed to these opportunities?
My blogging career wouldn’t be like this if I wasn’t exposed to the CDO Bloggers. I’ve learned a lot from our informal to formal gatherings. Being with like-minded people and experienced bloggers, you would get to pick up from their experiences, know from them and apply them. Every after a CDO Bloggers event, I would open up my laptop and ‘execute’ some takeaways. I was that eager.
Blogging was also a factor for me to pivot my career from the call centre to becoming a social media professional.
I followed my wife, Stephanie, in the UK in 2017. I wasn’t blogging about the city anymore. WOWCDO.com, my humble award-winning CDO blog, has been slow in creating stories so I thought there was no point in remaining a member.
Why have I rejoined?
When I heard the news that THE Ms Irene of Mindanaoan.com, literally the Queen of Blogging in Mindanao, is leading CDO Bloggers, I felt excited and static. I know she’ll do wonders in the group with her extensive experience and exposure both in the Philippines and the U.S. I told myself years back that when she becomes President, I’ll rejoin. When she invited me, no was never an option. So I’m here proud to be part of the CDO Bloggers.
When I saw Mommy Karen, Mommy Cookie, Irene Dayo and Johanns’ names on the list of officers – I told myself wow this is fresh leadership! Plus, I’m also still in touch with Michael Abonitalla, the chairman of the board.
I also want to go back to my roots and reconnect with the rest of the CDO Bloggers.
Why should you join?
My writing is a testament. My blogs from the late 2000s are not satisfactory to how I write now. Blogging is a craft and I tell you it’s still a learning in progress even if I have been blogging for over a decade. It’s not perfect but I consider my last blog, my latest artwork.
With CDO Bloggers, you’ll get to network with experienced and n00b bloggers, you’ll learn ethics in blogging, and you’ll be exposed to events and brands that will help you in your blogging journey.
Now, don’t be shy like me, stalking the CDO Bloggers. Trust me, they’re a great fun bunch of loving people from all ages, professions and industries. Go have a look on the CDO Bloggers website if you want to learn more and join.