Atheista -

If you first heard from me via the MTV page, please feel free to leave your comments, criticism and other concerns on my comments form. Thanks

This is probably weird for most of my readers, but yeah, I decided to give it a go just for the sake of trying. Two weeks ago, I got an e-mail from Nuffnang regarding the  MTV Blog Squad Search. I didn’t exactly jump at the opportunity right away but being a veteran (and reject) of not-so many adventure races, TV gigs and talent shows, my competitive side got the better of me so I’m now chest-deep in the search! I wouldn’t even begin to imagine what my chances are at this stage. All I know is that I gave it a real good shot.

Blogging was quite a good field for me last year. I started a new travel blog Visit Sagada that is now the top Google search result for certain keywords pertaining to the backpacker Mecca of Sagada. My blogs was nominated as a finalist for three awards during the 2008 Philippine Blog Awards and I was able to win the Personal Blog Category – probably the most contentious category that year. While I do not claim to be the best writer, I can assure you that I will be… TENACIOUS. haha

There are four slots for the job and sometime during this process, those in the running will be asked to leave for Singapore for an interview. I’m guessing the Philippines will be lucky to get more than one blogger in.

To date, I have written four entries for the MTV Blogger Search – three of them in music and one in *haha*fashion and lifestyle. The organizers pretty much limit your themes and topics so I had to really work with the canned subjects under each category. Please do take time to read them and rate them either with a thumbs up or thumbs down. I would really appreciate it that you support me if you believe that I should go further in the competition. You may for each entry vote every 5 minutes.

Entry: The Death Of Rockstars: On Labels And The Generation Of Haters And Posers

Topic: Do you consider indie bands who sign on to major record labels a sell-out to their beliefs and music?

Entry: Rage Against The Rules
Topic: Music and politics should never mix, what do you think?

Entry: Matters Of Size: And The Elephant That Nobody Is Talking About
Topic: What are your views on plus-sized models?

Entry: Cutting The Cliche And Looking At The Big Picture
Topic: What can be done to encourage people to purchase music instead of downloading songs illegally?

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The thought of having Trent Reznor here in the Philippines is a bit surreal. We don’t usually get a lot of strong not-so-mainstream rock acts here so I’m really happy that Splintr has gone the extra mile and organized a concert for Nine Inch Nails. Come to think of it, NIN is probably the best act since Metallica in the mid 90s to play a show here. If this does well, this might be the start of more left-of-center bands making Manila a tour stop in future – think of the possibilities! Splintr please bring TOOL here!

This is being billed as the *gasp* last  tour so this might be your last chance to see them anywhere. Concert’s on August 5, 2009 at Araneta Coliseum.  You can still buy Nine Inch Nails tickets from Ticketnet.  You may also check the ticket prices on that page. Pupil (NU 107′s Artist of the Year) will be opening the show.

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After almost two years of waiting, the recordings from the now legendary Alive 2007 concerts at the Music Museum, Wolfgang and Razorback’s Alive 2007 album release is now underway.  You may track the updates and interviews at Wolfgang’s Official Facebook Page.

What’s known is that the album will contain no less than 11 tracks – probably with a Led Zepellin or Black Sabbath cover thrown in with the healthy mix of Wolfgang and Razorback classics.

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I made this open invitation last year for bloggers to start diving and through sheer force of will, convenience in the form of dive instructor/dive master friends and not-so-busy schedules,  some bloggers have already heeded the call to pick up the hobby. My good friend Angel of the now-widely popular travel blog Lakwatsero finally made good on his intentions to be a certified diver late last year. Jayvee also recently got certified while Juned was able to take a refresher course to revitalize his diving “career” that got it start in 1990.

Everything seemed to line up heading to last week’s dive. Schedules, finances and other logistical concerns seemed to be have been ironed out and to clinch it, resorts in Batangas had madly slashed deals that made it irresistible to not go. Angel was unfortunately out of commission so Juned, Jayvee and I had to troop to Lemery (as people claim) / Bauan (as it says on the resort’s sign) and be part of the biggest blogger dive party – this breaks the record of two. Continue Reading »

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The date has been set – it’s October 9 2009. After holding it at Makati and Pasay, the Philippine Blog Awards now moves to Pasig (Megatent Events Venue 30 Meralco Avenue, Bgy. Ugong, Pasig City). No other details have been released as of posting, but you may check the PBA official website for official updates.

Last year’s edition of the Philippine Blog Awards – despite the usual fare of controversy — was arguably a well-executed affair that allowed bloggers to at least get together and interact on a non-virtual level even if you one didn’t exactly agree with the decision. I don’t think there could ever be a solid consensus, so I guess the lesson behind this exercise is that a grand event such as an awards night at least starts the conversation about gives the non-blogging, unwashed masses a chance to peek into our online lives/ pageant of warthogs.

I’m attracted to the prospect of competition. I’m a huge fan of sports – whether as a participant, spectator or arm-chair coach-cum-expert. I am drawn to reality shows that pits people into unnatural situations just to see who is most fit to run a company or win enough money to start a restaurant. Awards are also a competition, but the nature of the judging and the objective-but-still-arguably-subjective way of assessment makes it a lot more interesting and open to a lot of discussion. Continue Reading »

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Janette Toral‘s Ten Emerging Influential Blogs Project is easily the most democratic and arguably the most controversial competition for blogs on the events calendar. People love to pick on upstart bloggers because no one would hardly stand up for them and for the most part, it’s quite hard to establish oneself in the community. To fully understand the process and the sentiment of voters (and how wrong or right has the project gotten it), let’s look back at past editions of the weeks-long compilation of ballots and lists.

Violent reactions are very much welcome.

(Countdown after the jump)

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