Happy 1st Blogoversary, Bariles Republic!
Today, November 8, 2008, Bariles Republic is celebrating its first birthday, or in the world of blogs, its first “blogoversary“.
A lot of things have transpired since I first came out with my first post that day, which sported the boring title “Banana Snack Vendors at the Oval Covered Court”.
As I related before the participants of the 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit late last October, I began Bariles Republic as a photo blog about General Santos City. I wanted to showcase the “positive” side of the Tuna Capital because, admittedly, a year ago, when one google searches about it, all that comes out are news from mainstream media about “bombings”, “terror attacks”, and the like.
Developmental news, if any are relegated far behind the searches, thus painting a dismal view about General Santos City and its environs.
That was why I made it a personal cause to do something about it, in my own small way.
Being a former overseas contract worker myself, I know that this would benefit not only my townmates but also those who are now based abroad and are hungry for good news about home.
So, I started blogging, and blogging, and blogging…… all for the love of General Santos City.
And, now, 268 articles/posts later, I am proud to say that Bariles Republic’s GenSantos.Com has already made it to the front pages of Google Search, landing among the TOP 3 RESULTS if you’re looking for “gen. santos“, or among the TOP 10, if you key in the longer “general santos” or the shorter “gensan“.
Click on the image of the screenshot below for a larger view.
And other than introducing the name “Bariles” to the blogosphere, this blog has also hugged the top pages search for that word.
More rewarding achievements also came in, even before I turned a year old.
First, in August 2008, Bariles Republic was awarded one of 2008′s TOP 10 EMERGING INFLUENTIAL BLOGS, a project of Ms. Janette Toral.
Then just this week, Ratified.Org, one of the top blog ranking sites in the Philippines, released its Top 100 Blogs in the country for 2008. And guess what? Bariles Republic also made it, landing #15 among the 2nd set of newer blogs! Yeheyy!!!
And so to celebrate this milestone, my dear readers and subscribers, I AM RUNNING A CONTEST.
Here are the CONTEST RULES:
- First, you have to be a subscriber to be able to enter this contest. The SUBSCRIBE TO BARILES VIA YOUR EMAIL Box is just below the list of Sponsors for the 2nd MBS on the right sidebar, waiting for you.
- Second, write your short and sweet greetings in the COMMENTS portion below this article PLUS your Blogoversary WISH(es) for Bariles Republic.
- A team of jurors will decide on the best comments and winners will be declared on November 12, 2008 at exactly 12:00pm (Philippine or Eastern Standard Time).
- A priceless copy of Virtual Earner Video from Bob Martin, or now more popularly known as Mindanao Bob. Bob owns the newly-reborn Mindanao Magazine and is one of my very first Internet pals whom I met in 1996, when internet connections were just dial-ups. His wife Feyma, is a fellow Soccsksargen native, who hails from Sarangani Province. I happen to be godfather of their 2nd child.
- Three (3) bundled Domain Name and Hosting for one year from my blog mentor, Oliver “Blogie” Robillo, who as everyone must have known by now, is convenor of Mindanao Bloggers. Com and heads the group (The Usual Suspects) instrumental for the Mindanao Bloggers Summit, WordCamp Philippines, the DAVAO Food Appreciation Tour, among other blog projects. These go to 3 winners.
- Five (5) Domain Names from Jehzeel Laurente of Jehzlau Concepts. Jehz’s blog is the Ratified’s 2nd Top Blog in the country. We haven’t met personally yet but he is one of the nicest bloggers in the blogosphere, ready to help out newbies like me.
- Two (2) Domain Names from Engineer Winston Almendras of BatangTechie.Com. Winston’s other blog, Batang Yagit, won the Blogger’s Choice Award in the 2008 Philippine Blog Awards>. He just recently passed the board for Electronic Engineers.
- One (1) Domain Name from Job Oberio of NokiaHost Philippine Webhosting.
- Two (2) Domain Names from photojournalist Toto Lozano.
- One (1) Domain Name with 200 MB capacity from website designer Dennis Paul Custorio.
- Five (5) Premium WordPress Themes from Cagayan de Oro’s ChiQ Montes of WP Theme Designer. ChiQ, the best Pinay designer in her field, was recently featured in Manila Bulletin.
Happy birthday Bariles Republic! Happy 1st Blogoversary!
Tagged 1st Blogoversary, Bariles, Bariles Republic, Blog Contest, GenSan Blog, Mindanao Bloggers
Ache11/08/2008 at 6:22 PM
Wow! Ang bilis! Happy Anniversary! or Blogoversary? Keep blogging for our dear Gensan and mabuhay ka!
What’s a domain name? what does it do? hahahaha! i’m very low tech! I just want to greet you and wish you more exciting things to happen while blogging
Love yah!
Ache
Joana Grace11/08/2008 at 6:27 PM
Let me be the first to greet you online:
Happy 1st Blogoversary, Bariles Republic!
Sir Avel, you are one topnotch General who keeps all of us updated about the latest, the newest, the freshest, the juiciest information about General Santos City- its beauty and its wonders! You make me (and a million others) informed and inspire us to be involved in this beautiful southern hub!
I pray that Bariles Republic will be the MOST INFLUENTIAL BLOG ever!
Blog on!
anonymouse :)11/08/2008 at 6:29 PM
@Manoy Avel, congrats! Contest na pud??? Pero taympa, wala pa gani nimo na-announce ang winner of the Bariles mug for the Pacquiao building ideas, di ba? Ajejeje
bariles11/08/2008 at 6:35 PMAuthor
Thanks so much ache. Matagal ka nang subscriber dito so no need na. You’ve been my #1 supporter in all my ka-weirdohan and I am very and truly grateful. You’re da best! Dacal a salamat!
bariles11/08/2008 at 6:40 PMAuthor
Joana dear, those are just words but they will be etched in my heart forever and cherished till its last beat.
Amen.
Salamat gyud.
Blogie11/08/2008 at 6:51 PM
Congrats on your blog’s 1st anniversary, Avel!!! I hope to see more blogoversaries for gensantos.com!
Blogies last blog post..IntenseDebate still buggy
bariles11/08/2008 at 6:53 PMAuthor
@anonymouse
– Oops sorry andrew! Actually, I forgot to email you, nate marx and Jinky. You three won. Congrats! Email me at avelmans (at) gmail (dot) com. Sali ka rin dito, lalo na if you’re planning to blog.
bariles11/08/2008 at 7:00 PMAuthor
A trillion thanks to you Blogie. You are part of this. Without your help and tips, I wouldn’t have come this far. Bow talaga ako sa iyo kuya. (hehehe)
bernie allen11/08/2008 at 7:21 PM
Hi Avel,
Happy first anniverasary. You make people of GSC proud about your beloved city and its wonders. I’m happy to be part of your city and I really value the memories so much.
ang galing mo bro… sis… what nga ba ha…..?
archmykel11/08/2008 at 8:06 PM
Happy First Birthay Bariles! Your Blog has grown from an Idiot’s Guide to A Guru’s Guide in a year’s Time! Great Work, great design, great information! Your are one of Gensan’s wealth of winners! Congratulations!!!!
amie11/08/2008 at 8:16 PM
Congrats kuya avel is not even enough for what you’ve achieved in just 1 year!!! maybe you started this out of your “walang magawa”time
but look what it is now & what it has achieved…everytime people ask me about gensan i would always tell them to go look @ Bariles Republic on the internet…
Truly you have keep us informed about the latest news of “who, what, where & when” of our beloved General Santos City!
Long live Bariles Republic, congrats and mabuhay ka kuya Avel!!!
Ram11/08/2008 at 8:53 PM
Congratulations Bariles ………… and thank you for having this site Sir Avel and thank you for sharing your talents….
Site like this should multiply to remove the ugly image of Mindanao especially Gensan….
Kimberly11/08/2008 at 9:17 PM
Dear Avel,
Its been a year huh! time really flies so fast…
and over this period… ‘though i seldom drop some
comments, i haven’t missed reading your awesome
blogs!
All i can say is… you’ve come a long way…
you have given the best you have to achieve your
dreams… you have met the challenge with patience
and determination, with strength and total confidence..
and now, all your hard work has paid off!
i’m truly happy for you!
I knew that when it comes to blogging… if anyone
can do it, you could do it! and yesss, you did it BIG!
Congrats my dear! My best wishes for your continued
success!
Always remember: ” The future is a rainbow of beautiful
tomorrows when you hold a ‘dream in your heart’!”
Cheers to Bariles Republic for another great year ahead!
From your avid reader with love,
First Lady of Kuala Lumpur…hehehe!
Ayel11/08/2008 at 9:21 PM
Gosh! Who could tell what great things could happen in a year?
Congratulations, Sir Avel!
Nothing could ever beat the feat you’ve showcased in the last 365 days. All I could say is, salute to GenSan’s most prolific blogger!
In honor of your success, I have blog post dedicated to you:
Greetings for Mr. Bariles of GenSantos.com
Ayels last blog post..Stop and Smell the Rose
Lyle11/08/2008 at 9:38 PM
My warmest congratulations, Avel!
Lyles last blog post..Bariles Republic Celebrates 1st Year Blogoversary!
Emperor Green11/08/2008 at 9:54 PM
Congrats … Hapy birthday bariles republic..
i love this website.
look the images sa pionner avenue .. ganda
http://photos-404.friendster.com/e1/photos/40/43/61223404/1_680804652l.jpg
http://photos-404.friendster.com/e1/photos/40/43/61223404/1_128550099l.jpg
Gilbertyaptan11/08/2008 at 9:57 PM
Congrats Avel!!! Phenomenal talaga ang blog mo katulad ni Nora Aunor.
Gilbertyaptans last blog post..Gensan in the eyes of Senator Mar Roxas
Nate Marx11/08/2008 at 10:29 PM
Congratulations To Gensan’s Prime Website!!!
Starting from small beginnings
A PhotoBlog with pictures with meanings
Grasping the essence of every picture taken
Simple as they seem, it boosts Gensan’s esteem
From a small beginning to a ladder of success
Pulling fellow Mindanao Bloggers to a zest
Being One of Most the Influencial Bloggers is great
But the smiles you brought to MBS2 was the best
Every speck of information on your site
Gave newbie bloggers the zeal to be inspired
Bariles Republic, Happy 1st birthday!
Keep on flipping your fins over the web, keep on making Mindanao a place of Jest!
Congratulations is just a word we can give
But by far the greater gift is the presence of Bariles.
I wish that Bariles Republic will not stop on influencing people, motivating them into better persons and shaping the future of the Mindanao Awareness… Thanks!
__________________
GO BARILES!!! KEEP THE FINS FLIPPIN!!! KEEP BRINGING THE SMILES IN MIN.!!! SURF THE SEAS OF DIVERSITIES!!! DIVE IN THE WAVES OF PRIME GREATNESS w/ Simplicity!!!
I wish a wish that I hope will not become a mere wish because it is a dream that all the bloggers aspire — and I believe that Bariles will be one of the Min. Bloggers’ forefronters to success!!!
Happy Birthday BARILES REPUBLIC!!!
_________________
nate marx
http://www.natemarx.wordpress.com
http://www.pixspective.blogspot.com
Nate Marxs last blog post..Pixspective Online!
purple2411/08/2008 at 10:30 PM
hello kuya,
I just wanna greet you a happy, happy blogoversary. We, the girls in the cubicle are so proud of what you have achieved. You made a great impact in the lives of the generals not only here but more so for those away from our beloved Tuna Capital.
I owe you a lot for teaching me about the blogosphere. It did not only taught me so many things but more so it has been therapeutic for me. For whatever its worth, my profound gratitude Mr. Bariles.
I wish that you never get tired of blogging about the beauty of Mindanao especially Gensan.
Cheers..Pandesal naman dyan with butter? lol!
purple24s last blog post..The Rain
spiderye11/08/2008 at 11:31 PM
Congrats on your 1st “Blogaversary”. I hope you will have more blogaversaries. Isulong mo ang Gensan at ang Mindanao.
Sana magkita kita tayo in the future. You are one of the bloggers I look up to. Kudos!
spideryes last blog post..Good luck to 2nd Mindanao Bloggers Summit
Teena in Toronto11/09/2008 at 12:34 AM
Happy blogoversary!
Teena in Torontos last blog post..Leave leaves! Go away!
Kevin Paquet11/09/2008 at 1:10 AM
Happy Birthday to your blog! Hehe.
Awesome prizes ah, I look over the instructions later nalang, just want to send in my greetings before I’m ubber too late
Kevin Paquets last blog post..Mabuhay! Buhay Kabataan!
jinky11/09/2008 at 9:43 AM
Cheers to Bariles Republic/the great Avel Manansala on your 1st blogoversary!
Many thanks to you for awakening the blogger in me, ajejeje. . .
May you continue in your saga of touching people’s lives by posting relevant blogs.
Wish you all the best and God bless you!
Anah11/09/2008 at 3:20 PM
Congratulations sa 1st blogoversary.
To answer your question pala. I am originally from Gensan. Taga Gensan jud! My family and I are going to live there in the future *puhon*- I look forward to that day.
Enjoy your weekend,
Anah
Anahs last blog post..A Prayer for the Nation
Khalela11/09/2008 at 3:39 PM
Happy 1st Blogoversary, Kuyavel!
As I have already shared to the world. You are my mentor of sorts; The instrument of my personal, professional and artistic growth. I am perhaps,your happiest and proudest fan! I’ve posted an article especially for you. http://khalela.wordpress.com/2008/10/09/praises-for-avel/
rukee11/09/2008 at 4:44 PM
hi kuya avel, congrats on your first year! i’d just like to thank you for keeping and eye for gensan while i’m sometimes too busy to take a peek. more power to you and to our home.
– rcmt
rukees last blog post..11-06-88
bariles11/09/2008 at 6:31 PMAuthor
Kahit ano puede. hehehe! Thanks bernie, you who’s an honorary “general” who has loved the city and its lady “generals” so much. Hehehe! Keep on leaving your priceless comments here… to spice it more up.
bariles11/09/2008 at 6:38 PMAuthor
hi archmykel! coming from an architect who knows what great design is, your comment is more than enough to make my day. Maraming salamat myk and I hope this time, magtreat ka na sa akin sa Grab.
bariles11/09/2008 at 6:47 PMAuthor
Hi ate amie! Thanks a lot for helping me promote this to our fellow generals. Everytime I am making an article here, you and the countless “expats” out there are foremost on my mind, hoping that you would be proud of what GenSan has become now and maybe, convince you to come back and help it prosper even more.
Bariles Republic is not perfect dahil tao rin lang ako but with the numerous comments I receive here and in the real world out there when I go out in the malls, at the church, etc.. I am heartened with the positive feedback I have been getting.
Don’t forget your pasalubong pala, once you decide to come home.
bariles11/09/2008 at 7:24 PMAuthor
Sir Aryel, am truly touched with the gesture.
The “salute” could have been enough to make my day but your blog post took me to stratospheric heights! (Am I blushing?)
I dedicate this to you and to all the Soccsksargen Bloggers. The accolades are yours too as much as mine.
Soccsksargen bloggers rock!
bariles11/09/2008 at 7:30 PMAuthor
Daghang salamat Lyle! I am so blessed to have been rewarded with your SEO tips two weeks before this first blogoversary. That is one great gift one hopeful blogger could ever receive. Hope to see you in the bank soon, dear teacher! Wish ko lang….hahahaha!
bariles11/09/2008 at 7:34 PMAuthor
Salamat Emperor Green! Why not show your love by subscribing to it? Hehehe! (joke) I am glad you like Leonard Pe’s pictures. He is also one of GenSan’s amazing talents. Look for my posts about him here by going to http://www.gensantos.com/2008/10/21/young-gensan-fotog-featured-in-manila-bulletin/ .
bariles11/09/2008 at 7:41 PMAuthor
Mahal kong Kuya Gilbert, thank you for comparing me to my idol, the one and only Superstar. Kinilig tuloy ako. Hahaha! Only a few know that I wrote a blog post about her here – http://www.gensantos.com/2008/02/15/guy-and-pip-day-for-the-greatest-pinoy-loveteam-of-all-time/.
Mabuhay mga Noranians!
bariles11/09/2008 at 7:52 PMAuthor
Nate, grabe ka! What can I say?
Can a zillion “thank you’s” do?
Wow! You gave me goosebumps there. I am speechless here. Magician blogger ka na, poet ka pa! Now that is what you call as multi-talented! I just hope other generals will discover how gifted you are.
bariles11/09/2008 at 9:55 PMAuthor
Thanks purple24! I am also glad that you and the rest of the cubicle ladies have learned to embrace blogging and accepted it as a therapy of sorts. Don’t worry! Di lang pandesal ang papapakin natin. Siopao na next time. Hehehe!
bariles11/09/2008 at 10:05 PMAuthor
Hi Rye! I am honored.
Thanks also for being such a generous person, agreeing to design the now famous poster/logo for the 2nd MBS even without having met me yet. That work of yours was instrumental in bringing in more participants this year, thus making the summit more succesful than we could ever hope for.
Don’t worry! I hope to be there in zambo once you come up with your 1st ever Blog Seminar. I am on the guest list, am I not?
Hasta la vista, Rye!
bariles11/09/2008 at 10:07 PMAuthor
bariles11/09/2008 at 10:09 PMAuthor
Thank you kevin! No, you’re just in time.
tanchi11/09/2008 at 10:09 PM
happy blogoversary.we all know that this will just be the beggining:)
spiderye11/09/2008 at 10:09 PM
@bariles – The pleasure is mine po. Salamat sa opportunity that you gave me. I hope to have a regional blogging summit next year and will definitely include you in the guest list. Ayo-ayo!
spideryes last blog post..What’s Next? Life after ADZU
bariles11/09/2008 at 10:12 PMAuthor
Thank you too Jinky for being one of my most loyal and regular commenters. You deserve a blog of your own too since you have so much to share. I am sure that you will graduate from Multiply to Blogger or WordPress soon…. and become richer…just by blogging.
Yeheeey!!!
bariles11/09/2008 at 10:14 PMAuthor
Thank you Anah! Hope to see you here once you’ve resettled with your family. Look for me, ok?
bariles11/09/2008 at 10:24 PMAuthor
Hello Khalela! Wow! You shouldn’t have. They only write testimonials for old people, you know. Hehehe!
Seriously, thanks for that full article. Now more people will be seeking me out for artist management. hehehe.
Blog on dear Khalela. It’s about time the whole world knows about Khalela, the wordsmith of City Hall Drive.
bariles11/09/2008 at 10:27 PMAuthor
@rukee – Many thanks rukee. It’s enough that you drop by every now and then. Makes me complete.:)
bariles11/09/2008 at 10:37 PMAuthor
Amen to that tanchi. And thank you for being here with your greeting.
Aethen11/09/2008 at 10:44 PM
Am I not yet late to greet the eminent blogger from General Santos who in a year surprised the online community with a blast?
I think not.
Congratulations to the person behind the success of the Gensatos.com. Cheers to the warmest and accommodating person in General Santos city – the big ‘BARILES’ who keeps on flipping his fins to swim the blogosphere to bring the ‘good’ image of Mindanao online; He is Kuya Avel, Manong Avel for respect. Kid.
Kuya Avel is one of the bloggers I knew who is very passionate in blogging. He supported me in organizing the Blog seminar in Marbel which became the venue of the birth of the SOCCSKSarGen bloggers which became a community now because of his leadership. He is truly influential in his ways to touch people’s lives.
Trust me, I knew him best.
As a greeting for your first blogoversary, I wish your blog more blogging years to come, more good readers who will subscribe to your feeds, and good earnings soon [balato ha!].
Convinced? Read his blog. Update with it. Be inspired.
Kudos.
Aethens last blog post..Mindanao Blogger Summit 2 on TV PATROL SOCSARGEN
blackmeat11/10/2008 at 8:59 AM
Happy 1st Blogoversary, Bariles Republic! Please don’t stop swimming on the net. Please tell us more and more about Gensan’s fishy stories! Mabuhay ka, Bariles! Isa kang.. isa kang.. MALAKING ISDA! Ahehe!
White Knight11/10/2008 at 9:10 AM
CONGRATULATIONS Bariles on your 1st BlogAnniversary and more power.
I could not say more since everything have been said on this site, keep it up!
GORg11/10/2008 at 9:19 AM
hi kuya! congrats! and we are very proud of our Kuya Blogger! mwah! more more!
gensanite11/10/2008 at 10:44 AM
congratulations, KUYA AVEL!!!
remembered the time when you were bugging me in subscribing to “dustdiangas”… hehehe…
from an entry on “bananacues” to the mbs2; your first year is the start of a long and wonderful journey in your blogging “career”… thank you for keeping me close to home in your posts, and for showing the best of dadiangas to the world…
keep on blogging!!!
“happy birthday” to your blog…
cheers!!!