NegOr bloggers invited to join 2nd Visayas Blogging Summit
by Jennifer Catan-Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, Nov. 3 (PIA) More than 250 bloggers in the Visayas are expected to participate in the 2nd Visayas Blogging Summit on November 26 at SM City Cebu.
Cebu Bloggers Society Inc. (CBSi) has invited bloggers from Negros Oriental maintaining a blog with at least three months old in regular postings to join the summit as part of its advocacy to promote the responsible use of social media.
The summit banners the theme, “Blogging and Beyond”, the second after its launch in Iloilo last year, highlights the value of blogging as a potent tool in community development and in encouraging community participation.
Cebu Bloggers Society Inc. (CBSi) president Kevin Ray Chua explained the need to do something as blogging phenomenon in the Visayas continues to grow, reinforced by the emergence of blogging organizations dedicated to professionalize the local blogging community.
Chua pointed out that through this summit, bloggers will be able to network with other fellow bloggers, be updated on the current Philippine blogosphere, and find opportunities to uphold the Bloggers’ Social Responsibility.
Vice-president of CBSi Ruben Licera Jr. added that while the Visayas blogging community mostly compose of individual ages 14 to 35 who are daily engaged with the Internet, a large number of them still need to be educated on the right decorum and ethics of social media.
“There is also a large portion of social media practitioners and bloggers who need to be empowered and tapped to contribute to community development and participatory governance,” said Licera.
CBSi, a SEC-registered organization of Cebu bloggers committed to bring pride to Cebu through blogging, is the host and organizer of this year’s Visayas Blogging Summit.
The topics during the 2011 Visayas Blogging Summit will focus on empowering social media practitioners to be responsible citizen journalists and catalysts in their communities through new media. The summit will culminate with the Best Cebu Blogs Awards Night.
The following day, on Nov. 27, a Cebu Heritage Tour will take interested participants to various attractions in the province.
The Visayas Blogging Summit, which was first organized by the Iloilo Bloggers in Iloilo City, is a gathering of bloggers in the Visayas to talk on issues and concerns related to blogging and discuss how to further make blogging an effective tool for community development. (PIA/JCT)
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302 Brigade, 79th IB, PNP and NGO initiates Lakbay Aral
by Jennifer Catan-Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, Nov. 3 (PIA) A total of 60 elementary pupils from sitio Candanqui Elementary School, Tanjay City and CAFGU dependents went on an educational tour recently dubbed as “Bayanihan Para sa Kabataan Lakbay Aral.”
The Army’s 302 Infantry Brigade and 79th Infantry Battalion in coordination with the Oriental Negros Children’s Advocacy Network (ONCAN), Department of Education and Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office have initiated the tour to 40 school children from Candanqui Elementary School and 20 pupils of CAFGU dependents, according to army’s Information Officer, 1LT Roel Morales.
The ‘Lakbay Aral’ aims to widen the horizon of school children from the hinterland and create a positive outlook in life by exposing to other people, places and events outside the communities.
1LT Morales said that activity also promotes education to the community as a key to a brighter future and strengthen the AFP’s partnership with the various stakeholders in the province.
The grades 5 and 6 pupils, accompanied by their teachers and school principal Anecito Gazo, onboard the military service vehicles first visited the Dumaguete City Airport, after which they took their breakfast at Mc Donalds and entertained by the Mc Donald’s Mascot.
The group proceeded to Cathedral Church and Bell Tower in Dumaguete City, Sidlakang Negros Village area and to the Provincial Capitol area.
The school children also observed the demonstration of the eco-kalan at the Felipa Beach Resort where they took their lunch.
Morales said at about 2:00 p.m., the pupils and the chaperoned had mall tour at Robinsons Place where they had the chance to experience the beauty of city life and they were given two tokens each for games at the Robinsons World of Fun.
Interestingly, the children were amazed when the 302 Brigade deputy commander, Col. Christopher Estella and Marietta Jambora, ONCAN President conducted gift giving and distribution of snacks at the Jollibee Robinson.
Meanwhile, Col. Estella said that the Philippine Army will continue initiating programs that will benefit the youth and the entire community.
The pupils as well as the teachers and some parents expressed their appreciation to the army and other partner agencies for initiating the activity. (PIA/JCT)