The 1st Mindanao Bloggers Summit (MBS1) last 27 October 2007 was an unambiguous success. One indication is the number of participants: 97, not counting the organizers, resource speakers and guests. Another is the amount of copy now published on the Web — click here to see the links. For a first-time event — MBS1 was a pioneering effort at gathering bloggers from all over the country for a singular objective — I believe it was a major achievement. The theme, Spotlight Mindanao: Blogging for Culture, Identity & Understanding, was very apt: it proved to be the accompanying statement of all the Summit’s activities.
MBS1 was also unique as a bloggers’ event, most of which invariably focus on the technical and pecuniary aspects of blogging. While there were valuable presentations on blog optimization and best practices, the real purpose of holding the Summit was — and is — to use technology for the betterment of Mindanao’s global image.
In my opening speech at the Summit, I described blogs as potential agents of change. This is because blogs are rapidly growing in number and reputation; therefore, in influence as well. Realizing this, we, Councilor Peter Laviña and the convenors, have endeavored to bring one message across to the participants and supporters of MBS1: Use blogging to promote how beautiful and progressive Mindanao truly is. Thereby, in time, the image of Mindanao will have improved, and global view of the Philippine South transformed into something more akin to reality.
Fr. Albert Alejo SJ, one of the resource speakers, issued a very rousing challenge to the summiteers in his talk about Mindanao’s cultural, social and historical makeup. Grasping what blogging is capable of achieving, Paring Bert called on bloggers to use their tools and talents in the pursuit of peace in Mindanao. Fr. Alejo, an advocate of anti-corruption efforts through the Ehem! movement, encouraged the Summit participants to write about, and expose, corruption. By the power and very nature of blogging, information dissemination on the blogospheric scale will most certainly help in eventually quashing corruption, which is a form of violence.
Technology is a toolbox, and blogging is one of the sharpest tools on hand. Used responsibly and effectively, blogs can indeed effect a long-overdue change in the perception of Mindanao. It now lies in the hands of the MBS1 bloggers. Fueled by technical know-how from A-list bloggers Jayvee Fernandez, Abe Olandres and Marc Hil Macalua, and empowered by deep, eye-opening insights from Fr Alejo, Robert “Mindanao Bob” Martin and Councilor Laviña, I hope that the MBS1 bloggers have come away with the inspiration to contribute to deeper understanding of, and lasting peace in, Mindanao.
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