When we organize blogging events such as the BlogCon, the Blog Parteeh, the Blog Awards, we always want it to be a community-driven activity — for bloggers, by bloggers. We wanted everyone to participate within reasonable limits. We wanted everyone to take part and help out because in the end, it’s all about the community.
We wanted more links for you, more visitors to your blog, more subscribers to your feeds, and more awareness and motivation to those who are not blogging yet. Still, it sometimes dampen our spirits when the community you are trying to promote are the ones who find the littlest flaw with every single detail you do or not do.
Me, I tend to look at the “bigger” picture. I look at it as a group effort, a collaboration, a synergy. When I was still young, my mom would always tell me that there is strength in numbers. That I should support my brothers and teach them instead of pointing at their mistakes and laughing at them. That if you think you can make a difference or correct a wrong, it is better to join and help rather than to point fingers and put blame on someone else (worse, demand an apology).
It’s like giving soup to the hungry and in return they slap your hand because the broth wasn’t warm enough for their lips.
So, I’m repeating what my mother told me here — if you feel you can help and make a difference, please do. The doors are always open. We alway welcome more helping hands and discerning minds. Isn’t that what community is all about? Pointing out mistakes and shortcomings will not correct what has been done.
Of course, criticisms are welcomed. Hopefully next time, the statement would be “we did it” and not “they did it”.
“We may be professional bloggers, but we’re just amateurs as event organizers.” - yuga
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@ benj
It was not the pointing of the mistake that I was disappointed with but the manner by which the mistake was pointed out. If you read my comment in your blog, I thanked you for noticing that oversight and I said I will take note of it next time.
I thanked you even though the tone and the words you used were overboard. You were at the event. I’m sure you’re familiar with our faces since you were also in the Blog Parteeh. I believe it was easy to come up to any one of us and mention that incident personally or it could have been relayed to us by your other companions during the post-event party. We love comments and suggestions because it helps us to be better next time. But come on, what did you expect me to do or say when that manner by which you pointed out the mistake was disrespectful?
At the end of the day, I, as the head organizer, am accountable for everything that happened and did not prior, during and after the event — organizational-wise. We’re just simple people na madali paki-usapan. We don’t deserve that kind of treatment from people who we are trying to help promote and recognize.
I would like to think that “ideas” count as well. I have no idea why people keep on hitting people just because they didn’t volunteer. That sends out a message that only those who volunteered have a right to criticize the proceedings. I dunno about that.
I noted the irregularity that I spotted, and that’s that.
I’m sorry that you felt bad about the criticisms. But everybody do want to make PBA successful. Eerybody has learned from this experience and it is time to move on.
I do appreciate all the efforts the organizers and the volunteers have put into making PBA a successful event. Nobody can deny that.
So to help with the turning over a new leaf, I do want to help with next year’s blog awards. I just hope there is something that I can do to contribute. Well, I do hope my ideas can help.
exactly my point gail. They’re just all talk. No actions.
So just keep it up guys! There is still a next year!
Unfortunately, the same people who felt so strongly about changing something in the Blog Awards to the point of blowing it way out of proportion and insulting others in the process, would rather rant about it than actually do something. Tanungin mo tumulong para wala nang problema, bibigyan ka lang ng excuse. And different excuses at that.
Sad. I really pity those who are all talk and no action.
@ Yuga
I can help next year dude. I’ll share you guys all I know in holding an event. From production, technicals and whatever I may have knowledge to.
This criticisms are nothing but something to learn from for the next year. To make the 2008 PBA much more better.
And for the jerks… I think it would’ve been better if you just did volunteer rather than blabbing about this and that.. complaining on things. If you have a better idea.. share it here. If you think you can do better, then help.
I’m all for criticisms, constructive that is. What we didn’t really like was making a mountain out of a molehill.
Our lines are open. People can reach me via YM, email. My landline and mobile phone is right there in my contact page. I was there at the event, entertaining everyone and introducing myself to bloggers I recognize (thru nametags).
I believe I’m a very approachable person. So, I didn’t understand why all these shortcomings had to be publicized and blown out of proportion. If people are really concerned and are sincere in helping out, they could have relayed it to us directly first. We would have appreciated it a lot if that was the case, but no, they had to highlight the flaws for all the world to see and read that we’ve fucked up big time. Other people were informed about our mistakes before we did.
Well, now we’ve truly learned our lessons.