Uniting PH at Blogapalooza 2016

In politics, what do you do to dominate the race? Get the right numbers.

And how do you get the right numbers? Unite your allies.

While this post is not about politics, this strategy seems to be what Blogapalooza has implemented in preparation for year 2017 dubbed as “The Domination.” On November 5, 2016 at Novotel Manila AranetaCenter (more about my Novotel experience on my next post), the event-turned-company gathered bloggers from Northern Luzon, National Capital Region (NCR), Visayas, and Mindanao to unite them as one collaborative organization of bloggers.

From being an annual event which kicked off in 2011 with the aim to connect businesses and bloggers, and which used to be organized by When in Manila, Blogapalooza is now a company headed by its chief executive officer, Ace Gapuz, who is nicknamed “Blogamomma.”

She said on her welcome address that she was “serious about getting to know each of the bloggers.” The aim now is not only to connect businesses and bloggers, but also to connect all bloggers to one another. And that, perhaps, was the reason why instead of getting famous personalities and internet celebrities, Blogapalooza invited representatives of Pangasinan Bloggers, Cebu Bloggers, Davao Bloggers, and Cagayan de Oro Bloggers to form the panel and discuss what blogging on the countryside looks like.

Some of the key points tackled were the history of groups they were representing, how they met the pioneer members and how the core groups were formed, their purposes for blogging, and what they do for a living, if blogging is not their primary source of income. Well, generally for most bloggers, blogging has never been a source of income since writing for or promoting the products of a company often means free trials, product samples, and gift certificates in exchange.

The panelists agreed that their groups started with passion and that’s what has been driving them for the last several years in continuing their undertakings despite the fact that they’re not earning real money from blogging. Each group’s chief aim is not to make business, but to allow a convergence of their interests. They don’t demand any amount to be paid by companies who ask for their services, but they don’t refuse if they’ve been offered.

Speaking of companies, various brands have once again graced the event to offer bloggers product samples, gift certificates, and trial vouchers and to find partners in campaigns that will help them gain more exposure.

Krispy Kreme treated bloggers with their design-your-own-doughnut activity. All the bloggers needed to do was to download their app, create an account, type in a promo code to get a virtual coupon and redeem the coupon to get their turn in designing their own doughnut.

I can't thank Vaseline enough for the free facial wash product they've given away.

Vita Coco is great when ice cold. Refreshing, cool and healthy drink.

Oh, somebody's happy he's got several months' supply of pens!

Well, you've just made my mom happy, Pond's.

They also prepared exciting games and gave cool prizes to those who won. The event culminated with the introduction of Buzzin, the much awaited big reveal and the newest platform which allows businesses and bloggers to connect with one another in a faster and easier way, bringing Blogapalooza to everyone every single day.

To see more about what happened at Blogapalooza Horizons 2.0, watch this video by Keng of the World.

Gapuz said that four years—2011 to 2015—of exploration was over. This year meant opportunities for Blogapalooza and all the bloggers who took part in it. And next year, the domination begins.