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Bariles Republic awarded one of the TOP 10 Most Influential Emerging Blogs for 2008
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:
- Manila Foodistas
- Filipino Voices
- Visit Sagada
- Missing Carlo
- Mar Roxas for President in 2010 blog
- You Got Tech
- The Not so Talented DJ Montano
- Davao Delicious
Music Picks - Bariles Republic
Fritzified - 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!










wow.. congrats! =)
anns last blog post..Know what has happened has already happened
You deserve it, Avel, for bringing Gen. Santos City to the PC’s of a lot of people worldwide. But it’s saddening that you did not get your award personally. I guess the city owes you this!
Hi Avel. Congratulations to Bariles Republic for making it to the Top 10! Cheers to you!
Janette Torals last blog post..Post-Eyeball: The Top Ten Emerging Influential Blogs for 2008
pleased to meet you aethan! really nice name. sana makapunta ako sa gensan
mabuhay!
gwens last blog post..Natikman mo ba ang Buhay Coke?
I never doubted your “in-born, God given talent” Avel! you always succeed in all your endeavors! CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations! Hehe
Lionhearts last blog post..Sam Milby’s Butt Exposure on Dyosa: Real or not Not Real?
iba talaga ang power mo, KUYA AVEL…
nasa ibang level ka na ngayon…
my hats off to you… you are doing a great job of promoting our beloved city in this “work of art”… this is a piece of “home” to me…
keep on, keeping on…
congratulations!!!
God bless…
congrats kuya avel… dapat mas gumanda pa ang blog site na ito…
Congratulations! Good job!
Congratulations Sir Avel!!!
Winning the award is a great inspiration to bloggers like me in Gensan. I hope that next year tataas lalo ang rating the Bariles Republic.
Congratulations!
Mentally yours,
Nate Marx
http://www.natemarx.wordpress.com
Nate Marxs last blog post..Marketing Mentalism in Gensan
the passion is you.
it created your blog.
you make it shining and bright!
an ocean of appreciation for
bringing me to our very
own gensan no matter how far
i am, for making learning fun,
for feeding my visual hunger,
for the different perspectives…
countless, endless giving…
open the champagne and cheers to you
my dearest AVEL!!!!!
congrats, bariles.. you’re the man! Ahehe!
Thanks Ann and welcome to Bariles Republic.
Check back soon!
Hi Rue! That’s so flattering but coming from you, I’ll take it. Hehehe! Thanks for being a loyal reader and for sharing my posts with your millions of friends all over the world.
Hi Janet! Hats off to you too for coming up with this writing project. You made it all happen. Thanks to you a million times.
Hello Yam! Thanks a lot! You’re really my loyal friend and fan forever….hehehe!
MABUHAY ANG BARILES REPUBLIC! Ang galing naman. Congratz!
Hi Lionheart! You nominated me! That’s why I won! Maraming salamat Lionheart! Hope to see you on the MBS2. Treat kita!
Congratulations! You deserve it.
shengs last blog post..In Heavenly Bliss, Because of This
Kudos, Kuya Avel!
You are indubitably blessed with the unusual gift of writing. You have the passion and the fashion. Keep up!
hi Gensanite! It’s people like you who make this task worthwhile. Basta keep on commenting here my friend. Thanks from my bottom…hahahaha!
Hi Ormz! Salamat. Ikaw blowout ha? Hehehe.
Hello Philos! Thank you and welcome to Bariles Republic. Please check back often.
Hi Nate Marx! I am sharing this to all Soccsksargen Bloggers and yes, hoping that it will inspire others to keep on blogging.
Salamat Nate! Hope to see you for the MBS2! You have to perform there, ok?
Wow tnalak persona!!!! That has got to be the most poetic and touching note I have ever received in this blog. I don’t know what to say. I just wanted to inform and entertain my readers when I came up with this blog. I am so happy it has become a daily habit for generals near and far.
The champagne bottle is now open! CHEERS! Thanks tnalak persona!
thanks so much blackmeat! as one of my first subscribers, i owe you a lot.
Mabuhay rin ang Afordabolz! Salamat noel. Kitakits!
Congratulations for a job well done! I really enjoy reading your blog, it makes me feel closer to home!
You make me proud of being a General! Keep up the good work!!!
@bariles -
i’m looking forward for an invitation on your “blogoversary”… it will surely be a “grand” celebration, with this award and all…
isa kang alamat, KUYA AVEL…
Congratz!!! kuya avel! iba ka talaga…Im Proud of you.Imagine ur one of the top ten bloggers.before ko nabasa ang full story.. inisip ko ikaw ang pang 10th place..Gosh! top 9 pala hehehe..Congratz kuya vel!
Congratulations! You deserve the award. You are cool.
btw, I met Marcelle “Kel” Fabie at the awards night, he is a magician. He performed a fork (mental) binding trick in front of me. He is a cool magician who is unlocking a sense of wonder.
Padayon, SOCCSKSARGEN bloggers.
aethens last blog post..bday bash
Kuya, im so proud of you and so sad also. hay. kaw talaga. had i known, we could have done something noh! kainis ka! hehe..congrats pa rin…hanggang sa october!!!!!!!!!!!!!
congratulations, sir vel!
Another feather in your cap, huh! Andami na nga, nadagdagan pa! he he. you deserve it sir Vel!
Agen, congrats!
Congrats Sir Avel!
Kevin Ray N. Chuas last blog post..Mar Roxas 2010 Blog is one of the Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs in 2008
Powerful talaga!! hehehe Congratulations Mr. Avel M.! Sana ito na lang ang official website ng Gensan.hehehe Mabuhay po kayo!!
Thanks a lot manang. Coming from you, that’s a big boost. Mabuhay ang Gensan! :0
Gosh! Yeah, it should be a grand party! SASHIMI NIGHT! STREET DANCING! Ano pa? VIDEOKE CONTEST??? Hhehe! How I wish. Hehehe!
Hello none-air! Joker ka talga! Salamat sa pagbati. Regards to Rey and Pauline.
Hi mark! thanks for subbing for me that night. I was not mistaken in asking you since you also promoted the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit. Galing2x!
We could ask Marcelle to perform, why not? Let’s discuss this thing farther. He can perform with Nate Marx.
hi sheng! thanks a million. keep on checking back, ok?
See you soon.
Hello whatchamacallit! (wow, long name!) Thanks for your kind words. Kaka-touch talga.
Welcome to Bariles Republic and check back often, ok? And yes, thanks for subscribing.
Gay! Welcome to Bariles Republic! It’s ok, it’s alright… don’t worry. It was not meant to be. Thanks sa incoming help for the MBS 2 in October ha? Mwah!
Thanks jinky! Dami na ba feathers? Para na akong si LOLA sa Copacabana nyan? hehehe! Salamat gid!
Hi Kevin! Thanks. You too! Congrats for making it also. Haneps! Pandagdag sa pogi points natin ito. We couldn’t thank Aileen enough for this.
Hi Jasper! Thanks! Kung official website, dapat seryoso…hehehe. Tapos, wala nang comments section like this. Lungkot na.
welcome!
and once again.. CONGRATULATIONS!!! yay!
Jehzeel!!!! Blowout!!!!
O Tuna fest na yan! Congrats!
dimakss last blog post..Freebies for Webmasters
Congratulations! I’m glad my nomination helped out somewhat.
Mistervaders last blog post..Yehey! Wala Na Kami!
Congratulation
avel, the entire aclc-gensan congratulates your achievement! let us sustain the presence of gensan in the world wide web!
Hi Avel,
You got it! Great job and more blogging power! “Small success comes from small dreams but huge success always comes from huge dreams” Your dream to what your blog shall become is definitely huge. Congratulations!
RLB
Ache! What can i say? Ur a superstar!!! Para ka na ring si ate guy! But seriously u deserve it! Congrats and keep it coming
Congratulations Kuya Avel!
You’ve done a great job! More power to you! Keep it up kuya
siranikss last blog post..Top 10 Influential Emerging Bloggers 2008 Awards
Sure sir Avel I will be there, I wanna learn more about bloggin and perhaps do some magic and mentalism to a few bloggers. I am definitely looking forward on collaborating with Kel Fabie (he is my mentor on mentalism) for a show and not just a mere intermission number this October.
Anyway I am planning to put up a self-produced show this September on Mentalism. I am a bit danggling on the logistics for it.
Mentally Yours,
Nate Marx
http://www.natemarx.wordpress.com
Nate Marxs last blog post..TIPS FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING
Congratulations! More Power.
Jessie Somosierras last blog post..At Last
Congratulations!!! I’m so proud of your blog!
And thanks for the link-love.
Blogies last blog post..Kadayawan 2008
Wow!!! Superb!!! Fantastic Achievement !!! Congratulations to my bestfriend….. Character speaks for itself!!! Your Blogs reflect your own character……VERY INFLUENTIAL……
The Glory Days are coming back. Gone with the days that our idle moments are converted into trash. Now look what we are now and where we are now?
CONGRATULATIONS!!! KEEP IT UP…..LET’S MAXIMIZE OUR POTENTIALS….
you have one end result already. The rest are still coming.
Hi Dimaks! Salamat! Punta ka Tuna Fest?
MisterVader, thanks so much my friend! I owe you one. Hope to see you soon… during the tuna festival or the MBS2.
Unang tagay is on me!
Thanks Jermaine! Check back more often.
Hi attorney! A million heartfelt thanks to you and to the entire AMA. Yeah, let’s show them what GenSan has got! Mabuhay!
Rey!!!!! Welcome to Bariles Republic!!! Finally your first response! Thanks a lot. There’s nothing like receiving “nuggets of wisdom” from you. When is your blowout treat to me? Hehehe!
Acheng Rachel, dacal a salamat ne? With friends like you, how can I fail in this venture? Miss you!
Siraniks! Thanks to your vote, I got in! Yeheey!!!! Announcing the blowout soon…hehehe!
Hello to everyone in Koronadal!
Hi padre! Thanks for the visit! Check back soon! Godbless!
Hi Blogie! Thanks a lot for all the help from Day one. Without you, this wouldn’t have been possible. Congratulations to you too! Sulong Mindanao!
Bestfriend Francis! Finally, you’re here bringing me words of inspiration to last me a lifetime.
Yes, let’s maximize our potential.. Kaya don’t forget to bring me along on your trips, ok? Hehehe!
And hey, thanks for always being there, pare.
my warmest congratulations kuya..you really did a very great job for the city and for all the generals out there..we should celebrate na kse..Theresa’s/eurokitchen/afordabolz? hahahah! better late than never db? hehehe..ang hectic kse ng sked natin sa ofis..cheers to more awards for u..
Hello Sir Avel, congrats sa imoha… hehhe now you can focus on Mindanao Summit Godbless and More power…
julers last blog post..Beijing 2008 Olympics Medal Tally Count, Updates and Results
congrats!
i’m very happy!
five of my nominations made to the the top ten!
sana binigyan ako ng award ng may maraming nominations na pumasok.. wahahhahaa!
richards last blog post..Living in the Atmosphere of Fear
Purple24, thanks a lot! Don’t worry, once approved ni Bosing ang blowout, ikaw ang unang kagat…hehehe!