Travel Blogging talk @ Visayas Blogging Summit

I was fidgety at my seat while butterflies were fluttering inside my stomach as the last speaker before me was closing his talk. A few minutes later after the last question was asked, the emcee introduced me: Our next speaker is a freelance photographer and blogger based in… My heart was pounding, my hands were cold and I can’t seem to stand up. But I have to.

The Visayas Blogging Summit held in Iloilo last Saturday, 27 November was my first blogging talk, and not just any kind of topic but one that is also close to my heart: travel blogging with the title, Selling the Best of the Philippines Through Blogging.

I didn’t have to prepare much but I assembled my presentation only on the morning of the talk as the previous night, I was having a mental block on what eventually to talk about. While the title is such, I focused on how to travel blog and what are the important elements that are needed to make a good one. While sense of place is the main ingredient, I stressed more on writing well and taking images right.

The talk flowed smoothly with my confidence picking up after the greeting and it was good until the end. After the talk, I was quite pleased with the many questions and while going to the washroom, I was flattered that Byahilo told me he got inspired with my talk. I also received several Facebook friend requests and some emails thanking me.

While the talk was short, at around 40 minutes including the Q and A portion, I just felt overwhelmed but happy to have shared with what I’m doing with other bloggers. There’s this contentment of giving back to the community and inspiring people as well.

Thanx to Jerry Ruiz, winner of the Best Photoblog – Visayas (Philippine Blog Awards 2010), for the photo above and Janette Toral for the second photo with Anton Sheker.