WordCamp Philippines 2008: Winners and Bloopers

When I was first asked by Juned if I can consider giving a talk for Wordcamp, I replied with “What the hell is that?” I misheard “world” for “word” and thought it was some big gathering (camping- with bonfire and shit like that) of people in an open field to protest global warming or poverty.

I later became unstupid when he explained that it’s a huge WordPress event for its users, with informative talks and fun games and shiny prizes. And who doesn’t like shiny prizes? So I said, sure, without even knowing what my topic would be. I mean, what if they had asked me to talk about CSS or plug-ins or other related stuff, what do you think would happen to me?

Fast forward to yesterday, September 6.

I went to CSB where the event was held, ready with my presentation about Video Blogging. I haven’t really done that much FunnySexy vlogs but the topic is something close to my heart because uhhh… I do videos for a living.

With AJ, who’s holding an Ernie toy lol and the awesome Blogie, one of the organizers.

So I saw a lot of friends there, some new faces but overall, ’twas a nice crowd. I was impressed by the set-up and the volunteers were very helpful (here’s a shout-out to Vince who helped me in my preparation). After the whole introduction, we were asked to go to the rooms of our chosen speakers. Of course, we went to Jayvee‘s at room 409. All 12 or so of us have been waiting there for about 15 minutes already when we were informed that we were at the wrong room. BLOOPER NUMBER 1. LOLZ.

Jayvee’s presentation (Blogging 102) was really good. I honestly felt pressured for my talk because uuhhh… my powerpoint looked like something I made back in college. The 2nd talk we attended was Jehzlau’s Markku Seguerra‘s, about WP plug-ins. NOSE-FUCKING-BLEED. I was honestly questioning why I was there when I barely know html. Nevertheless, we just wanted to show our support! Yiheeee…

Jayvee Fernandez pwnd and…
*chants* MARKKU SUPPORT! MARKKU SUPPORT! MARRKU SUPPORT!

And then it was my turn. A week prior, I found out that my talk had the least number of ‘supposed attendees’ but honestly, it didn’t bother me at all. Even if only one person listened to me, I would still be on “performance level” just ‘coz I love my topic like that. Also, I figured, it’s pretty easy to attract attendees anyway. I’d just wear a WC shirt, a latex tangga underwear and thigh-high stiletto leather boots, not to mention put on some bonggang-bonggang eyelashes ala Betty Boop. Seriously, would you not be interested to join if you saw me on the podium like that? I thought so…

“MARIAN RIVERA WAS NOTHING!”
(speakers’ photos courtesy of the pretty Phoebe)

I dunno about the others but my audience was made of pure fabulousity *hugs eveyone who listened*. I felt more encouraged because they were attentive, participative and they really listened to what I had to say. Little did I know, it was being live-streamed and I said something I shouldn’t have said (which I won’t disclose here anymore and you’d die a horrible, bloody death if you mention it in your comment) and that’s BLOOPER NUMBER 2. MAJOR BLOOPER, IN FACT. LOLOLZ. But I’m really thankful for the positive feed backs that I received and I do hope you got something out of t.

After lunch, we headed to the theater where the speakers were given the certificates, and then Matt Mullenweg did his thing. Yanno, I like that guy (but not in a Ria Jose kinda way). He seems so chillaxed, so sedated… I wonder if he’s even heard of the word ‘stress’ before. With what he showed us, believe me, I love wordpress more now. SUPER BLOOPER NUMBER 3. OF DOOM. LOLOLOLZ happened later to a speaker but just check plurk (or other blogs) to know what I’m talking about.

MATTIE FTMFW!
(photo courtesy of the jayvster)

All I can say is… to the organizers, volunteers and team of Wordcamp Philippines, you all deserve a boob-flash huge applause for doing a great job! It’s an honour to have been a part of it and congratumulations!!!

ps: According to AJ, it also was PlurkCamp. Win.

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