Congratulations to the winners of the Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao 2011!

Their names were announced during a riotous and fun-filled awarding ceremony presented by the Circle of Arts on Saturday, 7pm at the Bali Ballroom of the East Asia Royale Hotel.

Since most of the attendees just came from the day-long Blogfest Soccsksargen 2.0 at the next-door SunCity Suites, event organizer Chiclet Rillo made sure that the event will be one stress-free, laugh-out-loud experience for everyone.  And yes, she and hostest-with-the-mostest Donna Mae Congson of Kikaymuch.me did not disappoint.

Before each category winner was called, Donna Mae came out as different characters with matching production numbers; most notable are those involving Miss GenSan 2008 Romarie Cunanan (for the Beauty & Fashion Blog Category) and another one with three dancing waiters of the hotel (for the Food Blog Category).

Joining her as presentors were CameraHauz’s Joseph Chua Kao (for Photo Blog Category), Davao Bloggers Brendel Balaga & Lyle Santos (for Personal Blog Award), Blogfest Sox’s speakers Mae Paner & Flow Galindez (Tech Blog Category), GenSan Gazer Publisher Mandi Nicolas (Travel Blog Award), interior designer Rain Ramas & hilarious restaurateur Dimples Odi who came in as a sexy Donna Summer (Lifestyle Blog Award), GenSan Hotelier  Association Prexy Philip Pabelic (Food Blog Award) and GSC Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. Executive Director Bench Tacumba.

The evening commenced with a sumptuous dinner co-hosted by our friends from the GSC Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc.  A 32-kg whole fresh tuna straight from the GSC Fishport satisfied the attendees craving for sashimi, courtesy of GenSan News Online Mag!

"THE 32-KG WHOLE TUNA GETTING READING FOR THE SASHIMI-ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BUFFET. PHOTO BY BERNIEMACK ARELLANO"

Here now are the winners of the Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao 2011:

BEAUTY/FASHION BLOG:

Winner:
Chamimay on Flats (http://www.chamimayonflats.blogspot.com)
Blog Author: April Charmaine Dalguntas of Duncaan, Boalan, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur

FOOD AND BEVERAGE BLOG:

Winner:
Eat’s Terrific (http://www.ormanmanansala.com)
Blog Author:  Orman Manansala of General Santos City.

"PBA PREXY JUNED SUNIDO, BEST FOOD BLOG AUTHOR ORMAN MANANSALA, PRESENTORS PHILLIP PABELIC OF GENSAN HOTELIER'S ASSOCIATION & GENSAN TOURISM ASSOCIATION'S KRING MACION."

LIFESTYLE:

Winner:
Lessons Of A Dad (http://www.lessonsofadad.com)
Blog Author:   Carlo Alado of  3520 Mabolo Rd., Xavier Estates Subdivision, Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental

"PRESENTOR RAIN RAMAS, ILIGAN BLOGGER PAT NOEL OF THE ILIGAN CITY TOURISM OFFICE REPRESENTING BEST LIFESTYLE BLOG WINNER CARLO ALADO OF CDO & PRESENTOR DIMPLES ODI, OWNER OF NAUTI CHIC & LITTLE DUBAI

PERSONAL/DIARY:

Winner:
Anything Goes (http://www.sdumalay.blogspot.com)
Blog Author: Sheila Marie Dumalay of  64 Talisay St., Balite, Lagao, General Santos City, South Cotabato

"BEST PERSONAL BLOG WINNER SHEILA MARIE DUMALAY GIVES HER ACCEPTANCE SPEECH WHILE PRESENTORS DAVAO BLOGGERS LYLE SANTOS & BRENDEL BALAGA LOOK ON"

PHOTOBLOG:

Winner:
Lantaw (http://www.lantaw.blogspot.com)
Blog Author: Allan Barredo of  Koronadal City, South Cotabato

TECHNOLOGY:

Winner:
Geeky Faust (http://www.geekyfaust.info)
Blog Author:  Faust Haeja Crismel Principe of D. Ponce St., Davao City, Davao del Sur

"JUNED SONIDO OF PBA, BLOGFEST SPEAKER MAE PANER, BEST TECH BLOG WINNER FAUST PRINCIPLE OF DAVAO, BLOGFEST SPEAKER FLOW GALINDEZ, & BARILES."

TRAVEL BLOG:

Winner:
The Travel Teller (http://www.thetravelteller.com)

Blog Author: Rolan Emboscado of B42 L21 P2 Elenita Heights Subdivision, Davao City.

"JUNED SONIDO OF PBA, BEST TRAVEL BLOG AWARDEE OLAN EMBOSCADO, GENSAN GAZER MAGAZINE OWNER MANDI NICOLAS & BARILES"

Before the evening ended, Blogfest Presentor 2011 Dolefil through Ms. Gwynee Ebol announced the launching of the Search for the Best Blog Post on their CSR Program.  The competition rules will be released in a matter or days.

Sagittarius Mining Inc., another Blogfest Soccsksargen 2011 Presentor also launched their SMI Partner for Development Blog Award.  According to Corporate Relations Supervisor Arnold Cesar Romero, himself a nominee for the Best Personal Blog, the mechanics of the contest will be announced in a few days.

And yes, before we forget, yours truly was awarded with a Special Citation by the GSC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc…. an unexpected but very welcome surprise.  Felt like my four years of hard work as a blogger about GenSan has really paid off.  Thank you so much to our Chamber friends!

And as for the winners of the Philippine Blog Awards for Mindanao 2011, again “Congratulations” and keep on inspiring others through your blogs!  Mabuhay kayong lahat!