First of all, I want to express my gratitude for all those who have taken time in visiting, reading and giving comments in my blog. For you, who  loved, commended, hated, criticized, and enjoyed visiting my blog, thank you very much. I never would have made it to the Top 20 if it weren’t for you, guys. I know, cliche much; but, I am truly thankful.

As I mentioned in my very first blog entry, Padayon is a blog account I created as a requirement for one of my class last sem. Now, that that sem has ended, this blog will no longer be a requirement in a class project; however, I decided to keep it, still. Personally, maintaining this “formal blog” taught me things I would have never learned if I just continued on exploring the personal side of blogging. As much as this project gave me, actually the whole class, a hard time, I am still grateful for the experience.

I am now maintaining another blog account, a personal one: soirish.wordpress.com. Unlike this one, the entries there are anything under the sun. I admit that I am more at ease putting my thoughts into words in that blog, well primarily because it isn’t graded at all. But I have to give credit to this experience, because I now learned to be more sensible in what I write there. Yes, there are still “emo contents”, but they are no longer the same entries I made from my previous blogs.

I decided to keep this blog, yes; but, for the meantime, Padayon will be put into rest. I will “re-open” this blog when I am ready and is already a part of the corporate world, or any career for that matter. I will still be heard online through the personal blog that I have mentioned. I hope to see you guys there, too. Again, thank you very much for the time.

As my blog goes… Padayon!

p.s

I am, more or less, four months away from graduation (keeping my fingers crossed). I am already very excited.

a glimpse

Last October 9 and 10, the UP Manila Orcom students once again proved themselves by being able to organize and pull-off two major events in our program, one of which even catered not only to Orcom and UP Manila Students, but targeted a wider audience as well.

October 9, Cirque. The UP Manila AdHere, an advertising organization in UP Manila and dominated by, if not all, mostly Orcom students, joined a contest set by Events Incorporated of QTV a few months ago. The main objective of the contest is to pitch an event that your org will organize, and wherein the winning team will be sponsored by Events Incorporated. UP Manila AdHere, along with other schools, joined this contest. The officers of AdHere, specifically, spearheaded the pitch that will represent UP Manila. It was a stressing experience and required a lot of effort on their side; yet in the end, all the hard works paid off. UP Manila’s Cirque was chosen as the best event pitched that day.

It didn’t end there, however. The real works started after UP Manila was chosen. I was among those who experienced the hassle of organizing this event. We have to look for sponsors, booths, talents, and other materials that will be needed. Being part of the Productions Team, I was assigned to work on the day of the event itself. Part of our job is to talk to the clients and to our sponsors, over-see the over-all setup of the venue, organize and make sure the program will run smoothly; plus, the fact that it will be aired in television by GMA’s QTV made the pressure rise even more. At first, we were actually worried that no one will come because of the recent Ondoy disaster. By the end of the day, however, the number of guests even exceeded our projected number. There were some flaws during the event, I must say; but, in general, I think it was a very good event. And a very good job for all of us Orcom Students who were mostly first-timers in organizing a major production.

October 10, Orcom Silver: Homecoming Event. Organizational Communication celebrated its 25th Anniversary last October 10 at the Angelo King International Hotel. Orcom Alumni coming from different batches, professors, faculties, and the current student of the Orcom Program shared this night of festivity. The event wouldn’t be possible, of course, without the works and efforts of the Orcom Silver Batch (that’s us) lead by Sir Burn and Madame Mikee. The event itself was even postponed twice due to the bad weather (again); but, was pushed through in the end. This time, I worked behind the scene. I was part of the Sponsorship Committee. Our job, of course, is to look for sponsors and raise the fund that will support the budget of the event. It was not really easy. We have to negotiate to potential sponsors and make sure that both sides will benefit equally. In the long run, though, we were still able to raise the needed budget for the event. The Orcom Silver Anniversary was another successful event.

Two weeks before the Alumni Homecoming, another event was also organized by the Orcom Students for the Silver Anniversary. This time, the juniors were to be given the credit. An Orcom Conference on the subject, Shifting Paradigms was coordinated by the junior students, together with Professor Adeva and Madame Inton, last September 26. The event highlighted Orcom Alumni as guest speakers, wherein they talked about their personal work experience after they graduated from Orcom.

The two events mentioned above are more than enough pieces of evidence showcasing the talents and skills of Orcom students. More than their skill in organizing productions and events, it also showed how during tasks like this, Orcom students were all aware and were able to apply the concept of work collaboration, which is one the learning’s we can get from the program.

To the Orcom Students; to the Silver Batch; and, the whole Orcom Community, Congratulations to us all!

UP Manila AdHere's Productions Team (earlier before the event)

The happy faces of the Orcom Silver Batch

Orcom Batch 2006, Class of 2010

lord give us strength

grant us the serenity

to accept the things that we cannot change

courage to change that things that we can

and the wisdom to know the difference

• Internet gave way for shifts or changes to happen
• Internet has become an essential touch point
• With internet, finite contact points evolved to infinite contact points

As he went on further with his discussion on online Marketing, one of the important things he stressed out is that gone were the days when consumers were just plain consumers. People today are more aware of what they want and how they want it. More importantly, they themselves have become “Prosumers” = consumers + producers.

Now most people may not be aware of this, but as we spend a lot of time online, as we create our accounts, as we post contents online, we are actually becoming producers ourselves.

Let’s give out a more concrete example.

Anyone can be a Publisher

Before, people are just merely audience or readers. They wait out for materials to be distributed (i.e. book, magazine) and spend the rest of the time reading that material. Today, those used-to-be readers can also be publishers themselves. How? The answer is Internet, of course. Anyone, whether a certified writer or not, can just post his works online and it will readily and easily be available online for public consumption. Let’s give a more specific example–blogs. Everyone is now familiar with the use of blog; from a 10-year old kid to a housewife. Every day, hundreds of blogs were being published online, the same way hundreds of them were being read. As of now, I am officially one of those who produced (producer) a blog online, and you as my reader is my consumer. Later on, I will be reading other blogs by other producers as well, then I will become the consumer= Prosumer.

Anyone can be a Broadcaster

Photos posted by friends on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube

People are always on the lookout of what is happening around them. They want to be aware and be updated at the same time. Before, the best way to get the latest happenings is to turn on the Television, the radio, or read the newspaper for news and information. Those media feed us with the current events. Today, anyone can be a source of information with, again, the use of online tools. New Social Media, such as blogs, Facebook, YouTube, Friendster, and Twitter, now gave us the power to give live updates of what is hot, what is new, and what is the latest information. Every time we shout out, for example an event, we are already giving out real time updates. Let’s take the example of the most recent event, the Typhoon Ondoy. Immediately the day after Ondoy hit Metro Manila, people have already posted videos, blogs, and tweets online on what happened in their place and other places as well. Announcements on community works, charity drive and the likes were already posted online, too. During that time, people have become producers themselves by posting updates, and consumers at the same time as they read other people’s post = Prosumer.

Anyone can be an Entrepreneur

Photo credits to littlereddress.multiply.com

Before, if you want to set up your own business, you need to have a great amount of money for your capital, a place to set it up, and hire people to man your business. Without those basic requirements, it will be hard to own a business. Today, it’s actually still the same thing; but, it is NOT the ONLY option anymore. Anyone of any age, whether a real business person or not, can venture into Entrepreneurship. Internet made it possible for business-minded people to have their own “firm” with lesser costs. Multiply, Ebay, and Sulit.com are just few of the tools people can use to sell out their products. It’s just easy as posting your announcement, a picture of the product, the price and the payment procedures. The convenience it has (lower costs, faster and easier transaction) is the main reason why more and more people, who were just ordinary customers before, were now engaged to produce a business of their own online = Prosumer.

Conclusion

By the end of the day, the whole talk with Sir Paolo made me realize that Internet broke the barrier between the Producers and the Consumers. Connection and interaction have been made easier. It is not a one way street anymore, wherein consumers were used to be placed only on the end side waiting for the Producers to feed them with products and information. It has become more interactive and they are now sharing and passing information to each other.

Another project for my advertisement class. This time we were asked to make the book cover for our would-be-self-authored book (if ever we decided to make one). I entitled my book “Confessions of a Smitten Soul”, which was the same name I have been using for all my personal accounts.

At first, I though it would be easy for me to come up with a book cover. I have already read a lot of books, so inspirations wouldn’t be that hard. That was what I thought. Later on, I found myself asking this main question, “how will I make sure that my book would sell?”

Like what my Adver Prof told us, it’s not always true that people don’t judge a book by its cover (literally speaking). Most people would really look at the book cover first. If they liked what they saw, then there’s a chance that they would read the synopsis. If they loved the synopsis, then there’s a higher chance that they will buy the book; unless, of course, your already a well-established author or your book is already popular.

In my case, while I was doing my book cover, I have to first imagine myself as a brand–a new brand in the market.

• To whom do I want to sell my book or who would be my potential readers? (target audience)
• How will I make my readers buy it just by looking at the cover? (strategies and tactics)
• How will I design my book to stand out from the others categorized in Biography? (unique selling proposition)

Well I’m not entirely sure if my thoughts were reflected on what I did, and I wouldn’t have a way to find out since I wouldn’t really be selling a book. In the end, though, I learned and gained a new respect for Book Illustrators, who were most of the time taken for granted. So, next time that I would buy a book, I would probably take the time to know about the artist behind the book cover.

The effects of these calamities are greatly felt all over the Philippines. Everyone has their eyes on what happened and what will happen. The presence of Ondoy and Pepeng are everywhere, affecting every state–physical, emotional, mental, and even the cyber world.

Social Media Disaster

While a lot of people are still on the state of recovery, the online world is also making its own noise and tragedy. As an online person myself, I have been a witness to some of these saddening events.

It’s sad enough that people everywhere in the country are suffering because of Ondoy and Pepeng. Loved ones that were lost and properties that were ruined are only to name a few of the causes for their pains. What’s even more depressing, though, is when people start to turn against each other on a time like this. It’s when people start being insensitive and harsh.

Soon after the calamity of Ondoy, Jacque Bermejo, a Filipina from Dubai stunned the online community with her alleged post on Facebook. And Facebook being the top and fastest social networking site now in the country, this post, “buti n lng am hir in dubai! maybe so many sinners bak der! so yeah deserving wat hapend!”, didn’t miss the attention of a lot of Filipinos. Hate comments, blogs, sites and what have you were soon posted everywhere. It was a very tragic sight, not just the scandalous post but the comments directed to her as well.

Just recently, this Filipina OFW finally made her statement on an inclusive interview with ABS-CBN regarding the scandal. She claimed to be innocent and not the owner of the Facebook account. She adds up with a statement that there was indeed a person who is hacking or faking her accounts, and that she already made a complaint about it some months ago to the Dubai Police. Some were convinced, some gave her the benefits of the doubt, some even defended her; but, even with this effort to revive her reputation, there were still a lot of people who remained firm on their stand against her. Innocent or guilty, she is now nicknamed online, the “dumbest pinay”.

Just like how Pepeng followed Ondoy, another malicious post online, few days after the issue of Jacque came out, also followed. This time, the foul content was shouted by a foreigner with another powerful online medium–Twitter. Ugly Yubin, Korean-based, angered the Pinoy Online Community with her post, which is not only insensitive to the victims of Ondoy, but was also an act of racism.

Like the previous case, blogs and other sites were soon posted online discussing Ugly Yubin. Whether she was real or not, it’s not a matter of time before the Twitter Admin canceled the said account.

World Peace ‘yo

I’m not posting this blog to add up to those already numerous hate-sites. Instead, I hope for the people to realize and be aware that tragedies, like the deaths and damages, can also happen online. These are not issues considered as an entertainment or a source of ridicule as some may see it; rather, it was actually another disaster to be considered. And that during times like this, it’s not very healthy for the people to start hating each other. Lastly, there are already too much tragic sights around that are already not bearable. Let’s not further the situation anymore.

Before, the trend is to draft a press release about, for example, a new product of the company. Next is to send this press release to major publishers or editorials, and wait and pray that the press release is good enough to be worthy of a space on their paper. Companies, then, monitor the success by checking out every newspaper, every morning, to see if the press release was published, what part of the paper it was published, and the contents of the press release (take in mind that journalists usually edit press releases that were sent to them). As you may think, this is a very tedious, and not to mention, boring job. Unfortunately, as much as this kind of PR technique should be categorized, “so yesterday”, some companies do still resort to this medium for their press release.

The web is a good place where companies can make their presence known. A New Social Media Press Release can be one of their keys. Companies may realize, once they started using this medium, that it is actually better relative to the traditional way of sending out press releases.

• Most people now go online more than they read the paper. When one wants to know something about a certain product, the usual routine that most people do now is to check on the information available on the web. Most people rely on the credibility of online sources. It is easier and the results can give the readers specific answers, and the exact information they usually want to find. Now, when this happens, a company would want their product to be there, where people can easily search for it.

• Journalists search the web for news. Even journalists now have developed the idea of searching the web for potential subjects to work on for their article. Again, when this happens, press releases online are, most probably, one the top targets a journalist would look for.

• NSM press release can save the company time. They can forget the usual way of sending out press release to each and every publisher, then monitoring the newspaper for results. They can easily accommodate this need through an online media press release. Plus they can be sure that their press releases wouldn’t “get lost” along the way by being able to view and monitor them online.

• It can reach a wider audience. Like mentioned earlier, most people prefer to go online now for news than scan the paper. An online press release can make sure that everyone who goes online can search for it and would be able to see it. Unlike the traditional press release, the first ones who would be able to see it are the publishers alone; and if by an unfortunate chance, they didn’t publish it on their paper, the press release won’t be able to reach potential readers. Now, with a press release online, everyone can easily view it even before it gets featured in an article.

• The results are tangible and immediate. The usual way of monitoring press releases is through newspaper clipping. A company can save their time on scanning every paper with an online press release. They can monitor it through the number of times it was visited, if people are talking about it, which they can easily know through online also, and if there are responses to their post, since companies can have a space on their online press release where the readers to leave their comments.

• NSM press release can accommodate more information. Unlike in the old press release, companies and publishers usually shorten the content of press releases before they publish it in the paper. Not everything that a company may want to say will be read by the stakeholders. With a social media press release, they can input more information than what a usual press release usually has. An added feature is they can also put in pictures, embed videos, and post links of important and related topics. They can also make their press releases more attractive, interactive, and organize it in a way that readers would want to stop and read the content, and would come back for more.

Lastly,

• NSM press release allows the company to have a real time update. Unlike the traditional press release, companies have to wait for their news to be published. A new social media press release lets the company post their news on the exact date they want it to be published, plus they have the opportunity to update its content and can immediately answer responses from the readers.

Here’s a sample of a New Social Media Press Release. The link below also gives helpful tips on making press releaeses.

New Social Media Press Release (source)

What is it?

Padfly just like Wikipedia also allows its user to make their own account or page, edit on other people’s page, which are also availabe for public consumption. It has the face similar to your notepad and easy-to-see buttons, which makes using and creating padfly pages so much easier and less complicated, everyone can do it.

Want more? Let’s create our own padfly page.

1. Log on to http://padfly.com to get started. If you see a blank screen with an icon of a fly then you’re on the right site.
2. Think of a name for your page. You can be as creative as you want to be (supremalicious) or just be formal so that everyone can easily locate your page. Remember, though, that your name may not be always unique and there will always be a chance that common names or words may already be taken. What you can do is to add digits or combination of other names.
3. You are now ready to use your page. Type in anything you want, a message, notes, or for whatever purposes you intend to use your padfly page.  
4. Click on the save button. Just like Wikipedia, padfly doesn’t automatically saves your contents; so, don’t forget to click the save button. 
5. To know if there are other posts or people have replied to your page, you can just simply click on the “view” button next to your page name. 
6. Congratulations! You now have your padfly page. Easy, huh?

What is good about padfly?

Padfly as compared to Wikipedia is so much easier to use. The features and tools in it don’t look as intimidating as it may on Wikipedia.

What are the limitations of padfly?

• There are no added features for padfly. The page as you see it will remain the same as you progress. You cannot format, organize, and personalize its content.
• Just like Wikipedia, it can be edited, erased, and be seen by anyone who would just type in your name on the username box. So, if someone came across your page, and for some reason they didn’t like it, they can just easily erase all the contents. There’s really no assurance on the security of your content.
• Padfly’s face is not very appealing and not engaging.
• It’s not interactive and you cannot embed or insert videos and photos in it.

Why still use padfly?

Padfly may not satisfy some of your needs or wants, but it still has the convenience of being more user-friendly. Companies who may not really need the special feautures of Wikipedia, but want an online repository for sharing of information within their organization may try to look on the uses of padfly.

Wikipedia users are aware of its features that allow you to edit, input and save its content. People do this to add new ideas on already existing articles that can be found on Wikipedia sites. What most people probably aren’t very much aware of is its feature that actually allows you to create your own Wikipedia site. This is the side of Wikipedia that companies should focus their attention on. Companies can save themselves from those toxic meetings, heavy papers for memos and other reports, and the likes by creating their own Wikipedia Sites. They can just easily setup a page, tell their employees about it, so that employees may, then, start using them.

Let’s take a very simple example. The manager wants to gather suggestions from his people for their upcoming team building. Instead of doing it on a traditional way, through meetings, or suggestion box that consumes paper and most people actually ignore, they can use the Wikipedia. If employees want to share their idea, they can just go to the site that was setup, edit the page, and put on their idea, then save it. Other people will automatically be able to see this. By the end of the day, they will be able to collect actual and detailed ideas without the very hassle way of doing it.

It’s really kind of simple and very easy once companies have tried and explored further on its uses. If you think your own company is ready for this technology, here are some, again, simple tips that you may already know, which you can also apply in using Wikipedia.

Set your Objectives

What are your goals for using Wikipedia? Why are you going to use Wikipedia instead of other medium? Is it for gathering information from your employees like the previous example? Is it to work on a project? Whatever your objectives are, just make sure that you have a direction for setting up a site and that you will be truly maximizing its uses and other features. The objective or what you aim to accomplish by the end of the day should be reflected on your site, or should be the main feel of the exchange of conversations and statements going on. This will automatically give those other people who may stumble upon it what your site is about. Stating the objective explicitly may also help. Also, try to think if on the current situation, the Wikipedia is what you really need. If you think that you can do away with traditional media, and it’s easier and more convenient; then, stick to it. Having the latest technology today, doesn’t necessarily mean completely abandoning the old school ways.

Format the content of your page

Formatting your Wiki doesn’t only pertain to the designs, although making it more appealing to its reader is also a plus when having a Wiki site. You may choose on the different templates available, or for some instances tweak on its codes and other designs to make it more personalize. Most importantly when formatting your page, organize the contents. Make your Wikipedia accessible to the readers by making sure it contains everything that they need, and helping them not to get confused on the content. You can put in headings to introduce one section of your page, or links that are related and also important for your site.

Moderate the content

Set a standard among your employees or those who will be using the page on the limits of what they should put in. You can tell them to what extent they can disclose on a certain project you are working on, or tell them what words or languages they are not allowed to use when posting comments or other suggestions. Do remind them that your Wikipedia, by the end of the day, will be publicized and will be for everyone’s consumption.

Have someone to moderate and maintain it

This is very helpful in backing up the tip stated above. Assign someone from your group to monitor the progress of your site. Assign this person to update, organize once in a while the content, since there will be more added to it, and look out for information you may not want to see in your site. This person will make sure that your Wikipedia is still safe and clean for the general public to view.

Lastly,

Share your Wikipedia to the World!

Put links on your other sites that will direct them to your Wikipedia, or put links on the Wiki page itself that will also link back to your page. Do not be afraid to publicize the content of your Wikipedia as long as you follow the previous tips. After all, Wikipedia is a public site; it would defeat the main purpose of  Wikipedia if you will just keep it among yourselves.

Do you have other tips to share?

My mom freaked out big time when she saw me making this picture. “Anu ba yan, para kang mamamatay na!”. “Exactly!”, I told her with a grin.

The photo above is just a part of the project I previously worked on for my Advertising Class. We were asked to make our own obituaries. Imagine plotting your own death, kinda weird huh? On a less bizarre context, however, I actually enjoyed doing the project. Not that I liked the idea of being dead (knocks 3x), it was the introspecting part of the project that I enjoyed.  It made me think of the things I wanted to accomplish before I, well, “crossover the light”. It made me ask, who’s going to be there when that happened? Will I still have the same set of friend ’til the end? Will I live a happy and satisfied life? Will I be missed? I know, it’s already getting cheesier; so, I’ll stop there.

A day before I made this project, I was watching Final Destinations 4, and I actually thought

of having one of those deaths, just so I can have an exteme story to tell for my obituary (haha). In the end, I chose to have a disappearing act exactly the way it happened to Amelia Earhart. I know it was a bit surreal, but it really is part of my dream to ride my own plane someday. I had pictures when I was a kid wearing a pilot suit with my dad (he works as an aircraft engineer). So going back, I ended my obituary with the image of roses showering from the sky on the day of my memorial service. I also described death not really the end, but another beginning.

I admit that I am really not yet ready to go, not until I’ve achived all my dreams, but it made me think that I am not really scared of it, maybe I just hated the idea of leaving the people I love behind. Most imporantly, on this project, it made me appreciate life even more.

“An awareness of death encourages us to live more intensely” ~ Dr. Igor, Veronica Decides to Die (Paulo Coelho)

p.s,

I know, how random of me to have this post.;b Oh and by the way, I recommend the book I quoted, really good read.