It was on November 11, 2007 when I wrote and published my first post at Bariles Republic (An Idiot’s Guide to GenSan).  That initial post sported the unimaginative title, “Banana Snack Vendors at the Oval Covered Court“.

 

At that time, my objective was to come up with a photo blog and feature my shots around Gen. Santos City and so I did not bother much about content.  Gradually, guided by my readings and reviews of other blogs in the internet, it evolved from a purely photo blog to what I can proudly consider now as the definitive source of bits and pieces of info about the Tuna Capital of the Philippines.

Since then, as a PLACE BLOG, Bariles Republic has published 193 posts, undergone 4 header changes and 3 major theme switches.  And midway in February 2008, it moved from utilizing the publishing flatform Blogger to the current self-hosted WordPress.

Now, exactly nine months, one week and 1 day to that fateful time in November, this blog which now sports the name Bariles Republic’s GenSantos.com has just been proclaimed as one of the TOP 10 Most Influential Emerging Blogs for 2008 in a an exciting Awards Ceremony last night at the Legends Villas, Mandaluyong, Manila.

Mark Aethen Agana subbing for Bariles at the Awards Nite.

The Search for the TOP 10 Most Influential Emerging Blogs which is now on its second year is a writing project spearheaded by Ms. Janette Toral, which aims to “identify new and emerging blogs that are making an impact to its readers in 2008” and are “gradually gaining a considerable amount of readership and influence.”

For 2008, a total of 177 bloggers submitted their Top 10 lists, citing 413 blogs.

After 14 weeks, these are the results of the Search of the TOP 10 Most Influential Emerging Blogs for 2008:

  1. Manila Foodistas
  2. Filipino Voices
  3. Visit Sagada
  4. Missing Carlo
  5. Mar Roxas for President in 2010 blog
  6. You Got Tech
  7. The Not so Talented DJ Montano
  8. Davao Delicious
    Music Picks
  9. Bariles Republic
    Fritzified
  10. Bloggers Da Who

Too bad I could not make it to the affair and instead asked fellow Soccsksargen Blogger Mark Aethen Agana who now studies at the UP Diliman to sub for me and get my plaque.  Thanks a lot Mark.  I would have been the oldest blogger there if I showed up…hehehe!

By the way, congratulations to my fellow winners especially Aileen Apollo, Kevin Ray Chua and Davao’s blog guru, Blogie Robillo.

The awardees in a group photo

To all those who nominated me (you know who you are), thank you from the bottom of my heart.

To my subscribers (now 170+strong), regular readers and visitors, thank you for your time and continued patronage.

Lastly, to all the SOCCSKSARGENians, especially my fellow GENERALS, this award is dedicated to YOU.  (showbiz ba?  hehehe)

Photos are courtesy of Jehzeel Laurente.  Arigato Jehz!

 

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