My wife, Tina and I came home a few of hours ago from the 2009 Philippine Blog Awards held at PETA theater in Quezon City. It was my first time to attend such bloggers’ event and it was thrilling because my blog is one of the finalists in Best Family and Living Blog category.
Check out this blog’s name on the 2009 PBA souvenir’s list of finalists…
This is my first year to be nominated and was luckier to made it to the finals as well. Being one of the finalists is already a great pleasure and winning as they say, is just icing on the cake 
We came in too early, around 4:30PM because the call time on the invite via email was 5 in the afternoon. We brought along few kilos of children’s clothes to give in to the organizers’ request for the victims of typhoon Ondoy that hit the Metro few weeks ago.
My wife and I were surprised that the event was disorganized 
The booths at lobby weren’t ready yet until past 5PM. In fact, there was no person to receive the pledges as I was expecting to be given at least a receipt or something.
Good thing that while we were on the queue at the registration area, my wife and I met SIDNEY SNOECK of MY SARISARI STORE, a photoblog I truly admire. I, for one was so honored to finally meet him; as I’ve told him personally, I am one his followers. I so like his works of capturing the best of Filipino culture and traditions. Wouldn’t you be so proud of being a Pinoy that a Belgian ace-photographer-blogger like him exerts so much passion and dedication of putting Filipino colors in his photo-series? Sidney, your award for BEST FOREIGN BLOG is well-deserved. BRAVO!
I would also like to congratulate DENNIS VILLEGAS for winning multiple awards inlcuding one of the Top Ten Best Post of the year! Cheers, Dennis! (I was the one who bumped into you and said sorry as I exit the door of the theater. I was in a hurry to go home and was a bit struck with your presence so didn’t bother to introduce myself. Sorry. But there’s always a next time). Again, I am a fan!
It’s always humbling to receive comments from these award-winning bloggers! Thank you for frequenting my site.
As for my part, I was hoping to win of course, who wouldn’t?
But I lost…. and honestly, it felt OK. Why? Because the “jeepney-designed” trophy and a new Nokia phone for the category I was competing were won by one of the bloggers who used to comment on my posts- Mommy Pehpot of MAKE OR BREAK! Applause, applause! Congratulations!
Everyone at the lobby was treated to a cocktail and dinner served by Josiah’s catering. The spread was not bad at all. There were also free-flowing drinks to enjoy. Thank you PBA!
The event could’ve been more special if there were no flaws or at least, less hassles in the flow of the program. Man, the show started soooo late than scheduled! I’m sorry but the presenters apparently did not rehearsed. It’s ironic because the stage itself is built for professional thespians of PETA who are known for great discipline. Thanks for the witty humor of the host, RJ Ledesma that saved the night.
We didn’t finish the event because my wife still has to go on an early morning shift at the Operating Room the following day.
As we came home from the event, our 5-year-old son Gabby told me the most rewarding statement a parent can possibly receive…
Tatay-doc : Gabby, hindi nanalo si Daddy…
Gabby : OK lang po ‘yun Daddy, share ko naman sa inyo ni Mommy iyong trophy ko (referring to his 3rd placer trophy from his declamation contest last February)
With those sweetest words, I felt my blogging was gladly recognized by our son, to whom this site is heartily dedicated.
To my friends-on-line, my readers, my blog-buddies, THANK YOU!
Your frequent visits and comments here never fail to put the widest smile on my face.
Your comments in all of my posts about my family- from dining to our little adventures in life and things in between are more than enough reasons than a trophy to ENJOY blogosphere.
Maraming Salamat po for following BEYOND TOXICITY. I never thought blogging and gaining virtual friends could be this so much FUN!
Again, THANK YOU SO MUCH!
UPDATED : Here’s a clip shown at the PBA awards night that made me smile up to my ears
BTW, my wife was happy to bring home complimentary copies of magazines from SUMMIT MEDIA booth at the lobby.
Thanks, PBA! Till next year and beyond…
there would always be next year docgelo, keep up the good works
i know, elna. thank you so much.
let’s keep the blogosphere alive and active!
my son told me, dad, you know, it is always one step at a time…
Congratulations to you! Being a finalist is already a step ahead.
So blog on!
hey myepinoy, thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. welcome to my site, sir
i know you’re also a finalist in the best commentary blog category. congratulations too!
RAVE ON, Doc!!!
meg, how’s the weather in florida?
thanks for the cheers!
In my book you do not need recognition from peers or win anything – I enjoy reading your blog. PERIOD. Keep it up!
wow, those words are awesome.
maraming salamat, bert!
with my most active on-line-friends like you and my family as my greatest inspiration, what more can i ask for in the blogosphere?
an equally great trophy you’ve received! thanks for dropping by eskapo. i like the firefox freebies the most last night!
dong, it’s a pleasure to have you here.
as i’ve commented in your recent post, i promise to frequent your site.
your blog -eskapo is such an amazing travel site.
rock on!
“Tatay-doc : Gabby, hindi nanalo si Daddy…
Gabby : OK lang po ‘yun Daddy, share ko naman sa inyo ni Mommy iyong trophy ko (referring to his 3rd placer trophy from his declamation contest last February)”
awww! indeed very sweet!! Congrats doc for being nominated! It’s already a big honor to be part of this ceremony. Keep it up, who knows, baka swertehin next year
nagugutom talaga ako sa blog mo!! ang sarap ng mga nasa pictures!!! I’ll recommend this to my friend
thanks, oscar! advance happy birthday too!
Congratulations for being one of the finalists!
salamat, janette.
welcome to my site
congrats for being a finalist doc! i wish i were there, too. i still don’t know who won in my category.
doc grace, nice to have you here for the first time.
CONGRATULATIONS to you and your blog THE DOCTOR IS vaIN
for winning the 2009 best BEAUTY BLOG! (applause, applause)
you’ve got a trophy (and a nokia phone?) to claim from the organizers.
bravo to all pinoy (doctor) bloggers!
thanks so much doc for the info! i was totally clueless about the beauty blog category until i read some tweets, then your confirmation! this would definitely not be my last visit to your blog.
…hindi lamang para kay Gabby, kundi para rin sa akin- panalo ang Beyond Toxicity! U
Good luck for next year’s PBA, Docgelo.
salamat, doc rj!
i only wished to win this year because my blog happened to be in the PBA finals but with or without the contest, i still feel victorious for having a venue to document my thoughts and my family’s activities.
having a bunch of blogger-friends is just as rewarding
I believe it’s not just the winning that matters, having been acknowledged by PBA and more importantly, having readers appreciate what you do is a great achievement. Keep it up Doc! Hopefully, PBA will improve the flow of its program next year – and who knows, it will be your turn?
i agree with you, dennis.
salamat
di bale, next year nalang doc!
yung maging finalist na eh winner na yun! 
OK lang iyon dyanie, i’m not sour-graping, really. there’s no reason. as i’ve stated, in fact i am happy for the winner. she used to frequent my site until probably she became busy and unfortunately was affected by the typhoon.
you’re so right. being a finalist out of 900+ entries and having blogger-friends like you who never tire of commenting on my post are more than enough reasons to be inspired on the blogosphere
salamat ng madami!
You’ll get it next time DocGelo. Natuwa ako kay Gabby at share pa talaga kayo sa trophy. Kay Gabby pa lang winner ka na. Hehehe. Si deejay ng GTM di rin nanalo sa category niya. Basta winner kayong dalawa para sakin.
thanks, akrebley.
i am thankful that i have my family, friends, buddies-on-line and for all the blessings He has given us. getting a recognition is just a bonus.
all of my readers’ frequent visits and comments always make my day
and for that i am so grateful
It was great meeting you and your charming wife! It is always nice to meet the people behind the blogs you follow.
Being a finalist is already a great recognition and being a winner doesn’t make much difference. As they say… the fun is in the participation and not in winning.
You got a nice blog…a story to tell…a lot of fans… so keep up the good work!
Thank you so much, Sidney. Congratulations again. It’s really a pleasure meeting you and I hope it won’t be the last. My wife and I were lucky to know that the man behind 2009 PBA Best Foreign Blog- My SariSari Store is greater than his website. It’s easy to tell that you have a kind heart. Thank you for featuring the Filipino culture in your photo series. Keep us inspired by your posts. God bless us more. Mabuhay, Sidney Snoeck!
First I’d like to congratulate you on having such a nice blog. Winning this award is nothing compared to the number of people who visits your blog to gain insight on family and living. I would have been honored to meet you personally so I hope next time we bumped to each other, we can introduce ourselves.
I also congratulate you for having such a sweet child.
Btw, I agree that I myself was quite surprised how disorganized the PBA event was.
Wow, your comment, Dennis and Sidney’s, really made my Sunday morning despite the devastating news of the wrath of typhoon Pepeng on Central and Northern Luzon as it left those provinces inundated.
On lighter note, Thank you for taking time visiting and commenting on my humble posts. It’s such an honor to be one of your on-line friends. And yes, Sir, it would be a pleasure to meet you personally the next time we ‘bumped’ to each other, hehehe..
Bravo, DENNIS VILLEGAS! Mabuhay po kayo!
Congratulations again, Dennis! Well-deserved
There’s always next time. Sabi mo nga, just the thought that they even considered your blog was a big honor in itself. Continue writing. You’ll get your fair share of the cake soon enough. God bless you and your family.
with or without awards, rico, perhaps like you i’m just happy blogging
thanks!
doc, you’re so bigtime
anne, there’s no bigger achievement in blogging than having blog buddies like you.
thank you
very well deserved doc!
salamat, FLF!
mabuhay mga pinoy bloggers!
congratulations for being a finalist. it’s an experience you will never forget even without winning because what is important is to meet the other bloggers in that event. and because you are listed as finalist, then your blog made it.