Visayas Blogging Summit 2011: Blogging and Beyond

Ten years ago, I said: I may not be the best writer in the world but I like to express my thoughts through writing. Like writing with pen and paper. 


Ten years after, I say: I may not be the best writer in the world but I like to express my thoughts through blogging. Like blogging with my trusty laptop.


As cliche as this sounds but the world is an evolving place. Change is constant and technology proved it. When I was in high school,  I used to make blank books as journals by sewing a bunch of brown newsprint papers and cutting illustration boards for book covers. Now, I'm constantly changing my blog site "theme" to fit my mood (since I don't have my own domain, I'm a blogspot and tumblr user).

Before, media can be identified as newspaper, radio and TV. Now joining the line-up is online blogging. Yes, blogging is the new social media. But just like some people, some bloggers doesn't think before they click and that's gonna change this November.


Cebu will be hosting the 2011 Visayas Blogging Summit (VBS). The organizers are stepping up by giving the participants world-class talks that will improve their craft as social media users. According to the VBS website: this year's theme: "Blogging and Beyond" will highlight the value of blogging as a potent tool in community development and in encouraging community participation.


So mark the calendars in your planners and set the reminders on your phones for this coming November 26, 2011, Saturday 7:30am to 5:00pm at SM City Cebu. All Cebu-based and/or Visayas-based bloggers are invited to join. Non-bloggers are also welcome. Admission is FREE!


For participating bloggers, one have to write an article about this event and link the sponsors to their sites. After doing so, you may proceed here.


For non-bloggers, you may click here. The organizers will email you for further instructions after confirming your registration.


To make an interactive learning experience for the participants, the organizers have divided the talk into different segments. Here's the gist:


OFFICIAL PROGRAM


(07:30 – 08:30 AM) REGISTRATION


(08:30 – 09:00 AM) WELCOME by Mayor Michael Rama, City of Cebu


(09:30 – 10:30 AM) PERSONAL BLOGGING


Know the advantages of blogging, how to improve a blog’s visibility and how to make it sustainable.
SPEAKER: Vernon Joseph “Iggy” Go
“Getting Steady with Blogging”
Blog: www.vernongo.com

(11:00 – 12:00 PM) PROFESSIONAL BLOGGING


There is more to blogging. This can be a career and even become a business. Find out how professionals make it to the top.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Chris C. Ducker
“From Blog to Business – Getting Serious Online!”
Blog: www.virtualbusinesslifestyle.com

(12:01 – 01:00 PM) LUNCH BREAK

(01:01 – 02:30 PM) SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING FOR BUSINESS


Learn how small businesses use social media to boost their sales and visiblity. Learn their experiences, secrets and tips first hand.
Speaker: Ms. Joanne Apat
“Basic Tips in Using Social Media for Business!”
Blog: www.joeanneapat.com


(03:00 – 04:00 PM) SOCIAL MEDIA RESPONSIBILITY

Blogging is not only for business but for social change. Find out how bloggers influence and use blogging as a medium to change their communities and improve lives.
SPEAKER: Janette Toral
Social Media Responsibility: A Perspective
Blog: www.digitalfilipino.com

(04:01 – 5:00 PM) AWARDING AND CLOSING CEREMONIES

The 2011 Visayas Blogging Summit is presented by Cebu Bloggers Society Inc in partnership with SM City Cebu and Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. The event is also supported by  Virtual Staff Finder, Geiser Maclang, Watsons, Solidhosting.PH, Cebu Directories and Bluewater Resorts. Media partners are Cebu Daily News, SunStar, The Freeman, ABS-CBN and GMA 7.

Archival Eco-House: Living the Greener Pastures

Yes, we are living in a fast-paced world. Technology made our lives easier. And lazier. We tend to forget to take care of Mother Earth, thus resulting to unpredictable weather conditions and increasing melting of the glaciers. We are the reason why global warming exists.

Not even the latest gadget can stop the wrath of nature. Someone has to step up and take side with the environment. Located in the Earth, Wind and Sun Compound in Barangay Talamban, one can find the man who lives up to these natural elements and his contribution to nature: a 400 sq Eco-house.

Captain Planet and the Planeteers would be very proud of Engr. Nestor Archival, the owner of House of Archival and Chair of the Cebu City Government Committee on Environment. As an advocate of nature, he implements and demonstrates how environmental green living could be made possible. His Eco-house is a living proof.

The House of Archival stretches in a 7,000 sqm compound. The Archivals dedicated themselves to going green through the three Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle.

The area opens up with an unobtrusive wrought-iron gate and tree house nestled cozily atop is the first thing that your eyes will set upon.

A few steps away, one can see a couple of green houses neatly tucked in white nets.

The place is a haven for vegans alike. The Archivals' lunch is just a few steps away from their doorstep--literally.

To prove that dessert is found in the backyard, our tour guide gave us a piece of dried banana to sample their homemade treat.

One of a few green houses they have around the place, it has an overlooking view of the surroundings.

Down to the useless piece of scrap, Engr. Archival knows how to make use of it. They use empty green bottles as homemade garden fence before entering another section of the property.

We went around the place to check out the different eco-sections in the area. They have the goatery (where you can feed and pet the goats), the vermi compost beds (vermi-the bisexual worms whose job is to help convert organic wastes into nutrient-rich vermicasts aka fertilizers), carpentry (where furniture and whatnots were made using scrap materials), the mickey-mouse-shaped lagoon and two more pools filled with rainwater using a water catchment. 

Water catchments were also installed in the Eco-house. The accumulated water will be used to flush the toilets, wash clothes, plates and water the plants.

Aside from their eco-focus initiatives, they also have a wall-climb and zip-line facility. Visiting groups can make a segue from the environmental lectures after the tour. One can make an appointment in advance so that a personal facilitator can assist you.

For the thrill-seekers, the House of Archival added a 40 ft wall for wall-climbing activities and a 45m zip-line. Perfect for beginners. 

The view on top of the wall.

After the tour around the estate, climbing the wall and zip-lining, we were ushered to Eco-house.

Using Engr. Archival's knowledge in engineering and design, he used a passive heating and cooling effect to lessen the need for electricity. Hence, the installation of big and small windows and the skylight. More sunlight comes in during the day, thus, saving a few pesos in their electricity bill.

Breeze come and go, thus giving the house a light and cool feel--thanks to the PVC pipes incorporated into the wall structure of the building.

Shades of blue gives off a relaxing feel.

Artistic murals dominate the Eco-house. Heavenly bodies and aquatic creatures can be seen on the first floor. The receiving area exudes the beauty of the underwater world with its cool blue hues--a contrast to the sunny second floor of the building with pastel shades for the sky with added wisps of clouds.

The hotel-style comfort room didn't escape from all the artsy murals either.

This is my favorite part of the house. The sunlight effect. Real flower vines hang above creates a nice touch.

The skylight. Up close and personal with the sun.

Aside from the colorful walls of the Eco-house, the Archivals made use of the scraps and recycled bits. Bland furniture were given style with recycled scraps such as PVC pipes, tetra packs, empty cans and plastic cups, crushed eggshells, cable spools, wine bottles and empty bullet shells.

PVC pipes has another function aside from...err...being pipes. They make a good support for couches.

Nope, these are not for sale..or for drinking. Empty soda and beer cans made lovely balustrades.

Or can be used as decors.

              Who knew that eggshells could be stylish. Or should I say Star Trek-ish?!

Bullet proof tiles, why not?!

Cable spools were varnished and fashioned into coffee tables--which were scattered all over the place. 

Wine for the fish--not! Empty green wine bottles decked the rainwater-filled pond at the back of the house.

I have a new-found respect for these empty plastic jars. A brilliant twist made them cast off good light effects. 

The House of Archival is open to the public. In this world of iPhones and iPads, a trip to the Eco-house is enough to appreciate the beauty of backyard (more like all-over-the-yard) gardening, composting (even stumbling blocks around the compost area were made of decayed trash!) and the flow of artistic ideas to turn trash into something useful (you will find yourself rummaging your trash bin later for empty bottles to start on a DIY project you have in mind). 

The Archivals have created a true Cebuano legacy and most importantly, teach us a valuable lesson on our own way to give back to nature: recycling. Ask yourself what you can give back to Mother Earth. You can start looking for answers in your own yard. It all starts at home. 

Engr. Nestor D. Archival

Archival Eco-House

Talamban, Cebu City

Phone: (032) 233 8760/ 253 2184

Email: nasi.cebu@gmail.com

Web: http://houseclosetonature.com