These days, it seems many people, especially youngsters, want to become famous “TikTokers” or “YouTubers”, gaining followers and making money. Not that there’s something wrong with that dream, just that for me, blogging / content creation has always been much more than chasing fame or income—it’s about growth and connection.
Twelve years and a month ago, I started my blog out of pure frustration.
I was searching online for travel resources, trying to find airport guides and itineraries for my trip abroad. Back then, I didn’t even know if Facebook existed; I can barely remember if I was using Friendster or MySpace. But I do remember spending hours scrolling through websites, reading comments from people who took the time to share their experiences. It was fun!
Sure, the research was more intense, and social interactions involved waiting for email replies or comment sections, but it felt rewarding in a way that’s different today.
The trip that started it all… back when I was 38 kilos and had no clue about SEO… all I wanted was to go peacefully to DISNEYLAND without having troubles with BI and DOST 😀
Of course, not all my “online” experiences were pleasant.
I quickly got a taste of online trolls, with mean comments like, “You’re ugly and shouldn’t post pictures of yourself” or “Your skin is disgustingly brown—especially your knees and elbows.” Ouch, right? And let’s not forget the lovely critique: “You write so badly that you shouldn’t be blogging.”
At first, those comments stung like a bee; I’m not going to lie. There were moments I literally cried to my mom after reading them.
But looking back, I’m genuinely grateful for the “meanness”.
Not only did it inadvertently boost my blog’s visibility in the algorithm, but it also encouraged me to become more critical of my work and view challenges as valuable opportunities for growth. Now, I won’t preach about completely ignoring negativity (perhaps accepting it is a topic for another day), as we all know how difficult it is to rise above the noise. I’m sure many of you have faced your own share of haters (or bullies), and yet here you are, pushing through…
As cliché as it may sound, one important message I’d like to highlight is this: you matter and your voice is your superpower.
As bloggers and content creators, we have a unique opportunity to discover and express our individual voices in a vast sea of online content. However, it’s also easy to feel lost amid this vastness if we don’t have a strong anchor. In this era, where you can quickly type a prompt into ChatGPT and receive a response, it’s essential to recognize that your identity can easily become blurred…
If you find yourself navigating this expansive landscape, I hope you remember that your thoughts, your experiences, and your personal “energy” are things that ONLY YOU can bring to the table. So let your blogging reflect your true self.
Write about your travels or your recent purchase or your heartache or your spiritual journey. Share about the latest show you watched or a financial investment you recently made or a new exercise regimen that has worked for you… and through the process, understand yourself more, and the world around you better. Speak for those who can’t, including yourself and the parts of you that sometimes need to be heard. That’s what I do. More often than not, I write to understand myself deeper; I write to heal and learn from my experiences and the people I meet. I believe that by exploring my own depths, I can connect with others on a more profound level.
Throughout my blogging journey, I’ve discovered that writing from a place of authenticity allows me to connect with my readers on a deeper level. As the writer and activist, Maya Angelou, once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This profound connection comes to life when you share what matters to you and what aligns with your values. When you embrace your own story, you create a space that inspires others to take action, change their perspectives, or connect with their own truths.
While seeking recognition shouldn’t be the main goal of blogging, if you stay true to yourself, that recognition might find you.
True story 🙂
Two years of blogging here in Cebu has brought me many wonderful surprises including a big one: being included as a finalist for the Best Cebu Blogs Awards (BCBA) this year.
About Best Cebu Blogs Awards
The Best Cebu Blogs Awards is an annual celebration that honors Cebu-based bloggers and recognizes their contributions to the local and national blogosphere. As the pioneering award-giving body in the region, BCBA highlights the significance of Cebu Bloggers in the Visayas and across the Philippines, acknowledging the exceptional quality of their work, which stands on par with international counterparts.
Organized by dedicated volunteers from the Cebu Bloggers Society Inc., under the leadership of founder Mark M. Monta, the awards feature a rotating panel of judges hailing from cities across the Philippines, including Manila, Cagayan De Oro, Iloilo, General Santos, Davao, and local judges from Cebu.
The success of the Best Cebu Blogs Awards would not be possible without the generous support of various partners and sponsors who recognize the importance of authentic voices in the digital space. Key contributors include Oakridge Horizons Cafe as co-presenter and gold sponsors such as Megaworld Corporation, Bank of the Philippine Islands, alongside Cebu Pacific Air, PLDT-Home, Xiaomi, Home Credit, Maya, and 2GO.
Additionally, special thanks go to our official designer, Fraction Cebu, and the official photographer, Budots Media Philippines, as well as donor sponsors like Bee Choo Origin Philippines, DC Shoes Philippines, Grind Philippines, and Robinsons Supermarket.
Together with our blogger partners, including the Prime Blogging Organization in Cebu Cebu Bloggers Society and Cebu Fashion Bloggers, and various local collaborations such as Cebu Fitness Blog and Facecebu.net, the BCBA continues to thrive as a platform that showcases the vibrant talent of Cebu’s blogging community.
Being a Top 3 finalist for the BCBA
Being named a Top 3 finalist for the Best Personal Blog in Cebu is humbling and incredibly inspiring. As we get closer to the BCBA event on November 28, 2024, at Oakridge Horizons Café in Banilad, Cebu City, I am getting more and more excited! It’s gonna be the first time in person I’d be attending a Bloggers Awards event as one of the finalists.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who voted for me—just being recognized as a finalist feels like a significant win already. Thank you for the opportunity to not only acknowledge my efforts but also to celebrate the vibrant community of bloggers I’m very much proud to call my own. Your support truly means the world to me, and I look forward to growing and connecting with all of you through this exciting digital space.
Parting Words
To my friends, social media followers, and blog readers, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude. If you’re contemplating starting a blog, I hope this post has ignited a spark within you. Whatever it is you are passionate or interested in writing about, remember to align your content with your true purpose; the more authentic your words, the greater the impact they will have. AND don’t wait—start writing today! Like I said, you matter, and your voice is your superpower!
