WordCamp Philippines 2009
The second WordCamp Philippines was held yesterday in Asian Institute of Management in Makati.
- 09:00 AM – Welcome Remarks, Backgrounder: Mindanao Bloggers Community (Blogie Robillo)
- 09:30 AM – Meet the WordPress Family (Beau Lebens)
- 10:30 AM – WordPress In The Wild (Markku Seguerra)
- 11:15 AM – Citizen Journalism In The Context of the 2010 Elections (Danilo Arao)
- 11:45 AM – A Quick Look into the Mozilla Community through the Lens of Localization (Seth Bindemagel)
- 12:25 PM – LUNCH
- 01:30 PM – The Editorial Voice and Taste in Writing Tech (Jeff Villafranca)
- 02:30 PM – Vlogging Mythbusters (Coy Caballes)
- 03:15 PM – Advanced WP: Portfolio & Directory Sites (Gail Villanueva)
- 04:15 PM – WP: The Ultimate Content Management System (Karla Redor)
- 05:15 PM – Q&A with WP Experts
The emcee of the vent is Migs Hipolito.
The guest speakers for WordCamp Philippines 2009.
I have attended last year’s WordCamp Philippines and it was huge and successful last year that’s why I decided to join this year’s WordCamp. One of the differences is that bloggers who wanted to join this year should pay a registration fee. Thinking about it, I considered that maybe they don’t have sufficient funds to organize this event, which is actually okay for me. Well at least, I see the effort that they want to continue what has been started last year. But of course, as someone who paid a fee for this event, I was expecting that this year will be better compared to last year.
Just some of my disappointments yesterday… During lunch, we had a buffet style for lunch. People had to line up to get food from the buffet table. Unfortunately, we were not able to get all the menu that has been served. In my opinion, through the registrations, they should have been able to get the total number of attendees, and through that number, they should have budgeted the food for all the attendees. Isn’t it annoying to hear some got more than one piece of fried chicken when you were not able to get even half of a piece? Well, this isn’t about really about the food, but I hope at least they tried to give everyone an equal share.
After eating, I tried to get the WP merchandise I bought. To my dismay, they asked me “What did you purchase?”. I mean, isn’t it they should have a list of those who bought online? I purchased a small lilac WP t-shirt. But they told me that the lilac is for women only. But why it was in the website in the first place? They just let me chose from a maroon and yellow shirt. I had no choice but to choose from the two. Well of course, I paid for it so I should get it.
I love freebies!
But, with my disappointments mentioned above, it wouldn’t be fair if I say that yesterday’s event was a mess. I also want to give credits to the efforts of organizers and some speakers. It’s also a pleasure to have someone from WordPress and Mozilla as guest speakers.
I actually enjoyed the presentations of Beau Lebens of WordPress, Danilo Arao, Seth Bindemagel of Mozilla, and Coy Caballes.
For more than two years, I’ve been using the free WordPress. But I am considering of using the .org version for one of the sites that I will develop in the next few months and I’ve been able to get some ideas and tips in yesterday’s event.
In my opinion, last year’s WordCamp is better compared to this year. Well, that’s my opinon. And just like what Mr. Danilo Arao mentioned in his presentation, “Bloggers don’t lie”. But still, I try to be fair and responsible in this blog entry. Just a constructive criticism. 
I wasn’t able to attend because of exams.
Nice blog and entry for the recent WordCamp!
woooot! I saw you! ahahahha…
thanks for coming!
Hello rowjie! I”ll link your post ha.
I’m with you my friend about the feedback.
I was one of the first to register for this years Wordcamp. It cost me $12. I wasn’t able to get as much freebies as you have. I only got 1 wordpress pin and a sticker, that’s it. Sigh!
Compared to those walk-ins who got more than enough. My point is i payed like around Php 570+ converted, and I only got spares. Okay, I might be late, but they should have enough for all those who registered.
Well it was my first time joining the event so its a good one for me..
My only complain is that, my url is not in my ID, hmmp…
Nice post. Hopefully, the organizers would read this so that next time, no one would be left out with no pins, stickers or even their blog’s URL. It was my first WordCamp and everything went smoothly for me.
wow naman sana maka aatend na ako next year kung meron,
feeling ko kasi nakakadugo ng ilong dun hehehehe..
sana nga pumunta ka na…newbie ako pero di naman ako nag-nosebleed dun….friendly naman kasi yung mga organizers at speakers…at yung mga umattend syempre…:D
wow! the freebies are really awesome!
Hi Rowjie and Edward C.
On behalf of the WC Organizer, i’d like to apologize for the shortcomings.
Let me try to explain some facts. The fee was primarily to filter out those really interested in joining the event. Last year there were many attendees. Believe me, the problems we encountered there was tripple
We targeted 200. Around 250 registered but only 140+ was present and there were who already paid was not able to attend.
for some reason, my first comment was posted right away… anyways, here’s the continuation
About the food. We prepared for around 180 guests. Paluin natin sa pwet yung mga nag kumuha ng 2 chicken! The caterers tried to control it though.
With regards to the shirt, I’ll ask the person in charge what happened.
Edward C,
Yeah, you’re right. Sorry brother. That’s one of the areas where we’ll improve next time. And let me see what i can do.. I’m still here in manila.
We’ll be posting a feedback form on WordCamp.ph. Hope you fill it out.
Thanks again for joining WordCamp. I hope you’ll join again next time. Oh, tell us when you’ll be hoping to Davao. We’d love to show you around.
MiGs
http://www.migsmobile.net
Sir Migs, it’s okay. I actually thought about and considered what caused the problem. Di naman talaga maiiwasan ang mga ganun. Anyway, I’m thankful na you did not take this as a destructive criticism. Anyway, if i have to weigh things naman, eh okay naman ang experience ko in WP 2009.
ay sayang huli ko ng nabalitaan. nakasama ako dyan last year. wahhh sayang.
naiinggit ako. hahaha di ako pumunta. gusto ko lang ung shirt. LOL
)
Hello, Rowjie. Your feedback is much appreciated. You can rest assured, next year’s WordCamp will be much better!